An enterprising teenager has opened his first business – in a popular tourist precinct.
While most Year 12 students are preparing for exams and schoolies, 18-year-old Sam Pilgrim is ready to welcome customers to Universal Games at The Wharf Mooloolaba.
The arcade is tucked inside The Alley, next door to the Local Social and opposite the Kenilworth Bakery. It opened earlier this week and features 11 amusement machines and video games.
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Sam said the business was borne from the popularity of two claw machines that he installed at the precinct four years ago.
He saw the need to create a dedicated entertainment space there, while helping those in need.
“The initial two machines were really popular, and profits enabled us to donate $29,000 for Rural Aid,” he said.
“I’ll now be looking to donate profits from these arcade games to other charities and important causes as the business builds.
“We would often see young children playing our games and even late at night adults would enjoy some fun on the machines after dinner or a few drinks.
“There’s something for everyone at Universal Games and we’ll be open seven days a week from 8am until 10pm to capture different range of visitors to the Wharf.”
The Matthew Flinders Anglican College student said his interest in video games and entertainment machines started at an early age, when he was naturally drawn to understand how they operate.
“I’ve purchased all 11 machines. Some needed a bit of repair work but they are all in great working order now,” he said.
“I’ve also set up a cashless ticketing system where people purchase tokens to play each game and all of the machines are linked to my phone so everything can be done remotely, including opening and closing the front roller door, and I can monitor each individual machine from my phone wherever I am located.”
The general manager of The Wharf Mooloolaba, Karen Hugg, said Sam’s arcade game venture would fill an important need within the precinct.
“We have had a gaming arcade within the Wharf a number of years ago but unfortunately it closed down, so it’s great to fill this void and provide a fun experience for people of all ages,” she said.
“At just 18 years of age, Sam is definitely our youngest tenant at The Wharf but we love his enthusiasm and he has spent many years working in the industry while completing his high school education so he has great knowledge about how to make this business a great success.”
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