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MON, OCT 26, 2026 BELLWETHER, MI

BUSINESS

Penny's Wonder Arcade reopens

The original cabinets are back on Main, high scores and all.One of the 1999 high scores was beaten last week, before the doors opened.

BY PAT MOREAUBY R. CALLOWAY BUSINESSUNEDITED MONDAY, OCT 26, 2026

Penny's Wonder Arcade on Main has reopened after twenty years with its original cabinets, restored by owner Penny Kowal's grandson, Eli.

Many of the high-score tables survived, so the initials of 1999's best players are still on the screens. “People come in just to find their names,” Eli Kowal said.The high-score tables survived, with the initials of 1999's best players. On the pinball machine by the door, one score was beaten last week, before the arcade opened. The initials are T.L.

Tokens are a quarter. The arcade is open after school and late on weekends.

Three road workers, one in an orange safety vest, stand behind a striped road-closed barricade on a rural road at dusk. Three road workers, one in an orange safety vest, stand behind a striped road-closed barricade on a rural road at dusk.
From left: Ray Dunleavy, Gus Pell, Marv Toivonen and Ted Lusk, Baraga Dr., Tuesday.From left: Ray Dunleavy, Gus Pell, Marv Toivonen. Ted Lusk is standing on the right. Look again.
An abandoned wooden sawmill with a sagging roof on a misty riverbank surrounded by autumn trees. An abandoned wooden sawmill with a sagging roof on a misty riverbank surrounded by autumn trees.
The old Pell Sawmill, Hollow Creek.The old Pell Sawmill. Do not walk here after dark.
A wooden telephone pole on a quiet residential corner covered in layers of stapled lost-pet flyers. A wooden telephone pole on a quiet residential corner covered in layers of stapled lost-pet flyers.
Flyers on the corner of Elm and Third.Flyers on Elm and Third. Every one is the same dog.

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