Amarillo Families Still Feel the Loss of This Beloved Kids’ Spot

Over the years we have lost businesses in Amarillo that have really stuck with us. We all remember going to Hastings on a Friday night, hoping that we could find that new release we wanted to see. It became a game. If it wasn't in, we would go to the counter and hope someone just returned it.

When Amarillo Lost Its Favorite Stores

We also lost a piece of our childhood when Toys R Us shut its doors on Soncy. They closed down everywhere. They are just now starting to reopen some. There are some smaller versions in malls. Then there are also some full sized ones coming back. We would be quite happy getting whatever version.

Then there are the restaurants we have lost. People still talk about missing Gardski's, Bennigan's, Ruby Tequila's, Country Pride and Judy's Place. Those are just a few of the many we wished we could get back.

Read More: A Bit of Happy Nostalgia Returns to Amarillo Restaurant

The Closing That Hit the Hardest

All of those places hurt when they closed, but there is one recent closing that cut the deepest when it comes to my family. There was no bigger news or even sadder news than the closing of Chuck E Cheese at the end of April.

It was the day the fun died for my granddaughter. She was getting ready to move back to Amarillo and we were looking forward to having her fourth birthday there a few months later. That, of course, didn't happen.

My daughter grew up having several parties at our Amarillo location. With the birth of my granddaughter, I got to relive my Chuck E Cheese days. We have walked through those doors many times both where they lived and every time they came to Amarillo to visit.

With them moving here it was going to be great. The Amarillo location had just got the Trampoline Zone and the animatronics were in working order. They would just move a bit for the longest time. They were rather creepy but they were finally working like they should and it was awesome.

Still Making the Drive for a Little Bit of Magic

Then the news came out that they closed. So what is a family in Amarillo to do? We have now made the drive down to Lubbock a few times. That is now the closest Chuck E Cheese location.

I hate having to make the drive, but we only have a small window before my granddaughter outgrows it. So we go. The Amarillo location closing this year was not on my bingo card. I miss going there with Laila so we jump in the car and make the trip when we can.