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Our StoryA lot of people ask how Tulsa Arcades got started, so here's our story.
My name is JC, and I founded Tulsa Arcades in 2018 during one of the most difficult times in my family's life. I had recently been laid off from my job, and around the same time my wife, Michelle, was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. She was no longer able to work, and our family was suddenly facing overwhelming medical bills and financial uncertainty.
At the time, I was working as a photographer and storm chaser, but it simply wasn't enough to support my family. I knew I had to find another way to provide for them.
I started by buying and selling Arcade1Up cabinets locally in Tulsa, and the response was incredible. As demand grew, I began purchasing DIY arcade kits, assembling them, and selling complete machines. While working with another vendor, I noticed several flaws in the products and realized there was room for improvement. I also wasn't able to get the quality or pricing I wanted.
That's when I decided to build something better.
I spent countless hours learning how to operate a CNC machine. Michelle and I invested everything we had into purchasing a 4' x 8' CNC Router Parts Pro NEMA 34 router kit. It arrived as hundreds of parts in boxes, and over the course of several months, my friends and I assembled it piece by piece.
By May 2019, we were cutting our own products and shipping orders across the country. From there, Tulsa Arcades began growing faster than we ever imagined.
Since the beginning, we've believed that customer service is just as important as the products we build. We're proud to operate one of the largest Arcade1Up modding communities on Facebook, where we stay involved with fellow arcade enthusiasts, share knowledge, and listen to customer feedback.
Today, every custom arcade is built right here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We ship custom arcade machines, aftermarket parts, and DIY arcade kits throughout the United States. Our products have been carefully designed and refined to solve many of the common issues found in other DIY arcade kits. We are constantly improving our products based on customer feedback because our goal has always been simple: build better products for the arcade community.
Whether you're looking for a pedestal arcade, bartop arcade, cocktail cabinet, 2-player or 4-player upright, light gun cabinet, or aftermarket parts, we take pride in building products that are designed to last.
When you call Tulsa Arcades during business hours, you'll be speaking directly with me or a member of my family—not a call center. We believe in treating every customer with honesty, respect, and the level of service we'd expect ourselves.
An Update to Our StoryIn December 2023, Michelle's cancer returned. After an incredibly courageous fight, she passed away in 2024.
Michelle wasn't just my wife—she was my business partner and one of the driving forces behind Tulsa Arcades. She poured her heart into this company, helped design and build many of the products we offer today, and played a major role in helping Tulsa Arcades become what it is.
She also left behind three amazing children, whom I now have the privilege of raising while continuing to operate the company we built together.
Every arcade that leaves our shop is a reminder of the dream we shared. Tulsa Arcades will continue moving forward in Michelle's honor, carrying on the work and passion she helped create.
Cancer took someone incredibly special from our family, and she will always be deeply missed.
This website is dedicated in loving memory of Michelle Reynolds.
My name is JC, and I founded Tulsa Arcades in 2018 during one of the most difficult times in my family's life. I had recently been laid off from my job, and around the same time my wife, Michelle, was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. She was no longer able to work, and our family was suddenly facing overwhelming medical bills and financial uncertainty.
At the time, I was working as a photographer and storm chaser, but it simply wasn't enough to support my family. I knew I had to find another way to provide for them.
I started by buying and selling Arcade1Up cabinets locally in Tulsa, and the response was incredible. As demand grew, I began purchasing DIY arcade kits, assembling them, and selling complete machines. While working with another vendor, I noticed several flaws in the products and realized there was room for improvement. I also wasn't able to get the quality or pricing I wanted.
That's when I decided to build something better.
I spent countless hours learning how to operate a CNC machine. Michelle and I invested everything we had into purchasing a 4' x 8' CNC Router Parts Pro NEMA 34 router kit. It arrived as hundreds of parts in boxes, and over the course of several months, my friends and I assembled it piece by piece.
By May 2019, we were cutting our own products and shipping orders across the country. From there, Tulsa Arcades began growing faster than we ever imagined.
Since the beginning, we've believed that customer service is just as important as the products we build. We're proud to operate one of the largest Arcade1Up modding communities on Facebook, where we stay involved with fellow arcade enthusiasts, share knowledge, and listen to customer feedback.
Today, every custom arcade is built right here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We ship custom arcade machines, aftermarket parts, and DIY arcade kits throughout the United States. Our products have been carefully designed and refined to solve many of the common issues found in other DIY arcade kits. We are constantly improving our products based on customer feedback because our goal has always been simple: build better products for the arcade community.
Whether you're looking for a pedestal arcade, bartop arcade, cocktail cabinet, 2-player or 4-player upright, light gun cabinet, or aftermarket parts, we take pride in building products that are designed to last.
When you call Tulsa Arcades during business hours, you'll be speaking directly with me or a member of my family—not a call center. We believe in treating every customer with honesty, respect, and the level of service we'd expect ourselves.
An Update to Our StoryIn December 2023, Michelle's cancer returned. After an incredibly courageous fight, she passed away in 2024.
Michelle wasn't just my wife—she was my business partner and one of the driving forces behind Tulsa Arcades. She poured her heart into this company, helped design and build many of the products we offer today, and played a major role in helping Tulsa Arcades become what it is.
She also left behind three amazing children, whom I now have the privilege of raising while continuing to operate the company we built together.
Every arcade that leaves our shop is a reminder of the dream we shared. Tulsa Arcades will continue moving forward in Michelle's honor, carrying on the work and passion she helped create.
Cancer took someone incredibly special from our family, and she will always be deeply missed.
This website is dedicated in loving memory of Michelle Reynolds.
