One of the most amazing things about where I live in NW Arkansas isn’t just the fact that I actually get to work at functioning arcade as I dreamed about in my youth. It’s that the area willingly accepts and embraces not only an arcade in it’s midst such as the Arkadia Retrocade but its local artists as well as independent restaurants like the amazing Hammontree’s Grilled Cheese!
So when Hammontree’s asked Shea if he could possibly secure them a Burgertime with a few modifications, he knew it was time to call on the talented Terry N. Thielen.
Picking up a rather well worn Burgertime wasn’t too hard, one of the chief mechanics (Bo Counts) at the Arkadia Retrocade took it into the repair bay and got it up and running while Terry had the task of cleaning up the machine so he could add some key graphics that would make it fit in right at home at Hammontree’s. You see not only is Hammontree’s a gourmet grilled cheese restaurant but they are mighty fond of the Star Wars films to boot…considering they have a velvet Admiral Ackbar portrait on the wall, a huge Millennium Falcon hanging from the ceiling, and in my personal opinion one of their best sandwiches happens to be called the Cheebacca.
So Terry got right to work on the machine…
Image courtesy of Terry Thielen.
The original owners, which just so happened to be a burger joint had added their own art to the cabinet…
Image Courtesy of Terry Thielen.
…but Terry thought that a Womp Rat might look better hiding out in the front of the cabinet.
Image courtesy of Terry Thielen.
Chef Peter Pepper needed a little touch up as well, especially since grilled cheese is the draw at Hammontree’s, so the good Chef donned his new guise as Hammy Tree!
Image courtesy of Terry Thielen.
Image courtesy of Terry Thielen.
Image courtesy of Terry Thielen.
Since as I’ve already stated, Hammondtree’s owns a velvet Admiral Ackbar portrait it just made sense that the best character from Return of the Jedi should be on display on the cabinet, right?
Image courtesy of Terry Thielen.
Make sure to follow the link to Terry’s Facebook page to see some of the other amazing artwork he has done for the Arkadia Retrocade as well as his personal artwork. If you find yourself visiting NW Arkansas then drop on by Hammontree’s and tell ’em that Vic Sage sent ya!
VicSage
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That cabinet is a work of art
Agreed 100%, Max Power! Did you see Terry’s “Tron Mural” for the Arkadia Retrocade party room?
I had the Cheebacca a few weeks ago, it was delicious. I got pretty excited over the velvet painting of the Admiral too. My daughter just rolled her eyes and asked who Admiral Ackbar was….sigh.
There is still time, Plcary! Don’t give up on her yet. ;)