Arnie Kaye

Arnie Kaye was a local businessman in Westport, Connecticut well known for his famous battles with the town in establishing a Video arcade in the same town.[1] He died in 2003.[2] The arcade, Arnie's Place, was built in 1982, and closed on Sunday September 18, 1994.[3] Arnie Kaye was known for his abrasive, unconventional tactics in responding to resistance from local town people, and the city council, when he first proposed to open the arcade. In addition to making threats to open less desirable establishments in its stead, he gathered support by attracting the attention of local and national media, and at times employed the Hells Angels in order to attract attention and threaten local sensibilities. The arcade survived for 12 years, and was well known for its unique architecture, and balance of classic and contemporary arcade and amusement games.[4] Arnie's Place also had a pool hall attached, and in the late 1980s also added an adjacent ice cream parlor, complete with animatronic ice cream cone characters, and other characters.[5][6][7][8][9][10]

Kaye also built, on a neighboring property, the New York-style International Deli. The architecture of the deli was in the same style as the neighboring arcade. Kaye attracted similar media attention during his battle for a liquor license for the deli.[11][12] Kaye lost a 1991 lawsuit against RJR Nabisco, then owner of the A.1. Sauce trademark, when his deli sold a sauce known as "A.2. Sauce."[13]

Kaye's commitment to these establishments resulted in his gaining a certain level of fame and notoriety, as well as ultimately being known by many in the New York metro as having created one of the most long-lasting, and quintessential American video arcades.[14]

Notes
  1. Scrappy Arcade Owner Gives Up the Fight - New York Times
  2. Paid Notice: Deaths KAYE, ARNOLD ARNIE J. - New York Times
  3. What to do: As Arnie's Place closes, young people seek other outlets - The Hour
  4. "Scrappy Arcade Owner Gives Up the Fight" Published: September 20, 1994 New York Times
  5. "WESTPORT'S DENIAL OF ARCADE BATTLED" By JOHN CAVANAUGH Published: December 6, 1981 New York Times
  6. "6-FOOT-5 PAC-MAN IS SCORING IN WESTPORT" By WILLIAM E. GEIST, Special to the New York Times Published: April 27, 1983
  7. "WESTPORT AWAITS FACE-OFF" By ROBERT E. TOMASSON Published: May 9, 1982 New York Times
  8. "VIDEO GAMES INDUSTRY COMES DOWN TO EARTH" By N. R. KLEINFIELD Published: October 17, 1983 New York Times
  9. "Westport, Kaye Tangle in Court Again" The Hour - Feb 3, 1994
  10. "Westport to Rule Tonight on Arnie's Place Permit" The Hour - Jul 26, 1982
  11. "Defiant Deli Owner Challenges Westport" By The Associated Press Published: April 9, 1989 New York Times
  12. "Free Beer In a Battle On Zoning" By SARAH LYALL, Special to the New York Times Published: April 17, 1989
  13. "Nabisco Brands, Inc. v. Kaye, 760 F. Supp. 25 (D. Conn. 1991)".
  14. "Who's Picking on Arnie Kay" The Hour - Nov 14, 1990

References
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