New business plays to win

AMENIA — It’s all fun and games at Grandpa Joe’s Game Room in downtown Amenia.Joe DeLango, nicknamed Grandpa Joe, opened his newest venture to provide a place for teens, adults and families to have fun, wholesome entertainment at a “very reasonable price.”“The town needed something for the kids,” said DeLango.“There’s nothing like this in the area,” said DeLango’s wife and co-operator, Pat DeLango, who said that she and her husband “want to put a little fun into [people’s] lives.” She also mentioned that, previously, people had to travel to Poughkeepsie for a game hall.The game room is stocked with several arcade games, three pool tables, an air hockey table and a large television that can be used to hook up game consoles. Snacks and a soda machine are also available.DeLango works hard to maintain the respectable atmosphere of his establishment. Smoking and cursing are not allowed and bad behavior isn’t tolerated. “I mean it to be a nice place for the village,” he said.As an accomplished pool player, DeLango loves sharing his gaming knowledge with the younger generations. He also noted that the pool tables have drawn in many adults, including local professional pool players.DeLango said that he has received several compliments from locals regarding his game room.The DeLangos offer their premises for gatherings and parties. They also plan to organize pool tournaments like they used to hold at the game room they used to run in Dover.The arcade games range in price from 50 cents to $1; a game of pool costs $1.25.“It’s a cheap night out,” joked Pat DeLango.Grandpa Joe’s Game Room is open from noon to 9 p.m. every day.