Mum’s Arcade Grows a New Kind of Fun

GROSSE POINTE — Mum’s Arcade isn’t your typical arcade—and that’s exactly the point.

Owners Tim and Pamela Grand opened the space at 17750 Mack Ave. in Grosse Pointe with a simple goal: bring games, plants and people together. “The name fits,” Pam said. “It’s ‘mum’s the word’ for our semi-private parties, but also a nod to the plant. It’s a person, a plant and a place.”

Inside, vintage meets modern. Classics like Ms. Pac-Man, Frogger and Asteroids sit alongside newer pinball machines like Stranger Things and Godzilla. “Pinball has evolved with TV screens, online scoring, all the competition modern gamers expect,” Tim said. 

Tucked inside the arcade is a rare gem: a 1970s four-lane AFX HO scale slot car track. “It’s a professional setup, not a toy,” Tim said. “We bought it from a guy who used to take it to yacht clubs and country clubs. Now kids come in here and feel like they’re driving.”

Instead of dropping tokens or quarters by the handful, visitors pay a flat fee for unlimited play. “Otherwise, you’d be dropping about eight bucks in five minutes,” Pam said. “We wanted it to be affordable.”

Accessibility was part of the plan from day one. The Grands made sure the space is ADA-compliant, accommodating regular visitors from organizations like ARC. “It’s turned into a comfortable meeting spot for kids and adults with disabilities,” Pam said. “It’s a beautiful thing we didn’t plan but love seeing happen.”

Mum’s Arcade and Otherworld Flower Nursery, both owned by the Grands, will join forces for a special Mother’s Day weekend. On Friday, May 9, a potted plant seminar will be held at 11 a.m., offering best practices for creating indoor and outdoor planters that both look and live well together. On Saturday, May 10, from noon to 3 p.m., pinball enthusiast Jenica Allman and top women’s players from the Detroit Rock City Belles and Chimes chapter will offer tips for improving pinball skills, followed by a women and LGBTQ-friendly tournament at 7 p.m. The Cheese Pull Food Truck, a women-owned business, will also be on-site serving gourmet grilled cheese, fries and soups throughout the day. 

Events like these are a growing part of the arcade’s community focus. Last year’s Wear Orange event raised awareness for victims of gun violence. Regular Thursday night tournaments are set to begin sometime this summer, and the Grands hope the growing crowd will welcome new players. “We want to show people this kind of fun still exists—you don’t have to stay home to enjoy games,” Tim said. “It’s about getting together, learning something new and having a good time.”  

The lineup at Mum’s Arcade keeps players of all ages hooked. Pam’s favorite is The Simpsons pinball machine, the first game she ever bought. Tim refuses to pick just one. “It’s like ice cream,” he joked. “Godzilla, Elvira, The Simpsons—they’re all good in their own way.”

Looking ahead, Tim and Pam hope to deepen local partnerships and keep the doors open even more often. “It’s like a little clubhouse in the summer,” Pam said. “Neighborhood kids drop by and we just open it up.”

Come out to Mum’s Arcade for Food Truck Wednesdays from 5 to 8 p.m. and enjoy unlimited pinball and arcade play—no quarters needed—for just $8 per person, almost half the regular price. 

Mum’s Arcade is located at 17738 Mack Ave. in Grosse Pointe. For more information, call (206) 910-7148 or visit mumsarcade.com.