Chuck and Andy Hescher: Star Amusement

Last Updated on Thursday, 04 March 2010 06:34 Thursday, 04 March 2010 01:14

If you have played a video game, darts, pool or your favorite song on the jukebox at any bar or club in Northwest Indiana, chances are the games, tables and music has been provided by Star Amusements of Northwest Indiana.

The family owned and operated business- started by Chuck Hescher - has been providing such amusements to bars for the past 25 years. Sons Andy and Matt Hescher have joined their father in the business, which now services some 300 bars from the Illinois state line over into LaPorte and south into Newton and Jasper counties.

“I started out back in the 60’s when I got laid off at the mill,” Chuck said. “I started APT Vending in 1962 with a couple of partners.” Star Amusements eventually evolved out of Star Music in 1984.

Andy and Matt joined in the business as teens. “The school bus let me off here (at the shop), and I figured I wasn’t gonna do my homework, so I’d pick up a broom and sweep,” Andy said jokingly. The two were also the envy of all the neighborhood kids, getting to play all the video games they wanted back in the day. “Every kid in the neighborhood would want to come over,” Chuck recalled.

Today, Andy handles the day-to-day operations, scheduling and parts department, while his brother Matt works as one of the collectors and in the office. (Andy also plays guitar in one of the region’s popular bands – Mr. Funnyman.)

Now semi-retired, Chuck reminisced about how the business has changed over the years as he sat behind his custom designed desk – actually half a pool table – which was made into a desk a few years back. Real 8-balls are used as the handles for the desk drawers.

“Today, it’s mostly the pool tables, dart machines and jukeboxes,” said Chuck. “Video games aren’t as popular as before with all the graphics that are available to kids at home.” The demand for video game arcades and even places like the local 7-11 having a few video games has really dropped off. “We just can’t keep up with the graphics that kids have in the home game systems,” Andy added.

One game that is still pretty popular is the Golden Tee golf game and Star Amusements is working on setting up local weekly tournaments that would be networked so you actually play against other people in other bars.

Along with the video games, the evolution of the jukebox has been the biggest change.

“We’ve gone through phases from the old record jukeboxes to CD jukeboxes to today’s totally digital jukeboxes,” Chuck said, noting that a lot of bars still have CD jukeboxes.

Chuck says the business still has thousands of old records and CD’s. A maze-like storeroom with shelving floor to ceiling houses the collection.

Andy said that CD jukeboxes are updated every few weeks or when customers have special requests – like recently, when a customer wanted some Lady Gaga on a jukebox with predominantly country CD’s.

Many of the old jukeboxes have been re-chromed and restored for people who want them in their homes. The restored machines are shiny and look just like the one on the set of “Happy Days” where the Fonz could walk up, hit the sweet spot and play his song.  “We do quite a bit of home sales and service,” Chuck said. “People like to have the old jukeboxes for entertainment or show.” Besides the selection of restored jukeboxes, you can also find a few collector games such as Pac Man and Galaga, or even a pinball machine or two. Star employs about 13 individuals who serve as drivers, collectors and know the intricacies of servicing the machines.

With the popularity of pool and dart leagues today, Chuck says the business is also involved in managing leagues and tournaments.  “These are sanctioned leagues which lead to the state and national tournaments,” Chuck explained. “There’s a 100 percent payout back to the players, our only revenue through the machines themselves.”

Pete Gonzalez serves as showroom manager for Star Amusements, which has all types of supplies and such for pool and dart league enthusiasts.

Andy also handles the promotion and new development. “We are always looking for new locations and the latest to offer our customers,” he said.

The Heschers belong to trade industry associations and attend trade shows, such as the upcoming show in Las Vegas.