GREAT AMERICAN PINBALL

Our Story

Great American Pinball didn’t start as a business idea. It started as a feeling—a mix of nostalgia, curiosity, and love for something that brought joy into my life since I was a kid growing up in the ’70s and ’80s. Back then, pinball machines weren’t just games; they were experiences. They were the soundtrack of arcades, bowling alleys, and corner restaurants. They were magic.

In 2005, my wife and I decided to take that magic and build something of our own. We didn’t have investors, we didn’t have a business blueprint—we had day jobs, long weeks, and a dream. Nights after work and full weekends were spent learning, fixing, restoring, and slowly building what would eventually become Great American Pinball. It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t easy. But it was ours.

For 30 years, I worked in Sales and Marketing for companies like Quaker Oats, Kraft Foods, and Nabisco. I enjoyed my career, but nothing ever compared to the feeling I got when I brought a worn-out, beat-up pinball machine back to life. There’s something special about taking a machine that’s been neglected, forgotten, or played into the ground—and restoring it to the point where someone can light it up again for the first time in decades. That never gets old.

Little by little, people found us. First friends. Then collectors. Then families looking to relive memories or make new ones. And over the years, this small dream grew into something bigger than we ever imagined.

Today, Great American Pinball has become one of Chicago’s largest distributors of new machines from Stern, Chicago Gaming, Spooky, Jersey Jack, Barrels of Fun, Pinball Brothers, Dutch Pinball, and American Pinball. We’ve built the biggest showroom in the Chicago area, filled with new and used games, and it’s become a place where people walk in and instantly smile—no matter their age.

Looking back, we’re proud. But more than anything, we’re grateful. Because every machine we sell, every customer we meet, and every restoration we complete is part of a journey that started with two people, a shared passion, and the belief that pinball still matters.

Our Promise

At Great American Pinball, pinball isn’t just something we sell.
It’s something we care about.

We personally search for the best used machines and restore each one with pride—because we know what these games mean to people. They’re memories, they’re conversation pieces, they’re family moments waiting to happen.

Our promise is simple:

• We offer the best new and reconditioned pinball machines we can find.

• We treat every customer the way we wanted to be treated when we were just starting out.

• We make your buying experience fun, personal, and stress-free.

We know that buying a pinball machine is a big decision. Whether it’s your first game or the crown jewel of your collection, we’re here to guide you, help you, and celebrate with you—from the moment you walk into our showroom to the moment you press the Start button.

Because after all these years, we still believe in one thing:

Pinball brings people together.
And we’re honored to play a part in that.