Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – A new downtown Springfield business is expanding its reach through a partnership with another longtime local attraction, creating what owners hope will become a hub for pinball enthusiasts and casual players alike.

Vault 66 Pinball recently partnered with Dumb Records to expand operating hours and increase access to both venues.

Vault 66 owner Chris Nickell said the idea for the business came together quickly after he purchased his first pinball machine for his family last year.

“I’m not much of a toe-dipping guy,” Nickell said. “If I like something, I tend to just jump right in.”

Nickell soon added more machines and discovered Springfield’s local pinball community through tournaments hosted by Dumb Records. After attending events with his children, he realized he had found a potential use for a vacant commercial space he owned downtown.

“We were looking for a purpose or a reason to activate that space,” Nickell said. “Standing there watching all these people play pinball, I thought, ‘This is perfect. I’ll just put my pinball machines in there.'”

The partnership with Dumb Records comes just months after Vault 66 opened and allows the business to maintain more consistent hours while building a larger customer base.

Dumb Records co-owner Jeff Black said the arrangement benefits both businesses.

“We’ve started running more hours this week with some of our staff helping out,” Black said. “What we’ve been finding is there are people discovering Vault 66 and then finding out about Dumb Records for the first time.”

Customers who pay the $10 admission fee at Vault 66 receive a wristband that also grants access to the arcade games at Dumb Records.

Black said Springfield’s pinball community includes everyone from casual players to highly ranked competitors.

“There are some of the top 50 players in Illinois,” he said. “There are organizations that track all of this, and you can earn points toward state and world rankings.”

Despite the competitive scene, Nickell said newcomers and families should not feel intimidated.

“I took my kids to the tournaments, and they had a blast,” he said. “Everyone was very laid back and friendly. You don’t have to be a competitive player to have a good time.”

The businesses are also planning to expand programming in the future through leagues and tournaments.

Nickell said Vault 66’s hours may continue to evolve as the business grows, and customers are encouraged to check the arcade’s social media pages for the latest schedule updates.

“We’re still adding machines,” Nickell said. “It might be different every time you visit.”