WOODBRIDGE — The opening of Dave and Busters at Woodbridge Center Mall not only brings a new dynamic for the mall, but also signifies the direction the mall industry is heading toward.
“The mall continuously grows,” Amy Bellisano, general manager at Woodbridge Center Mall, said. “This is my 25th year and over time, there is change in merchandise and a need for a place where people can socialize and come together for a good time.”
And for Bellisano and township officials, they found the perfect tenant in Dave and Busters, which made its debut in the Garden State on Nov. 14 on the upper wing near the Sears store at the mall.
Bellisano said seven stores relocated within the mall — the second largest mall in New Jersey behind Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus — to create the space for Dave and Busters, which she said took several years to come to fruition.
“We are first in the state to have a Dave and Busters and I want to thank Assemblyman Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex) and state Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex) for their part in a bill [peeling back a 56-year ban on alcohol being sold at establishments that house amusement games] to make that happen,” she said.
Dave and Busters allows patrons the opportunity to eat, drink, play and watch sports, pairing its full-service restaurant with a variety of video arcade amusements.
The American restaurant and entertainment business chain has 103 locations across the country. It was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
The 34,000 square foot destination features a state-of-the-art Sports Bar with a massive wall of HDTVs and seating for ultimate sports viewing serving chef-crafted menu items and signature cocktails.
The establishment features more than 150 of latest arcade games including InJustice, World’s largest PAC-MAN and Space Invaders Frenzy.
Mayor John E. McCormac joined Bellisano, township officials, Theresa Kovarcik, general manager for Dave and Buster’s in Woodbridge, for a tour on Nov. 9.
“This is terrific for the township because of the number of jobs created,” the mayor said.
The opening of Dave and Busters brings more than 240 new jobs and puts the township on the map as a destination where people can enjoy the restaurant, play arcades and then shop and/or get a haircut.
During the soft opening, McCormac played a friendly game of Skee-ball with members of the media.