Danica Davidson
December 2, 2020 
It was big news when Sega announced it was closing one of its arcades. Unfortunately, it didn’t stop there. The Silk Hat Ikebukuro arcade will be shuttering next month.
The arcade has been important enough to the area that you can even see a glimpse of it in the third season Durarara!! opening. Along with video games, it also supplied crane games, sticker picture booths and card games.
The arcade shared the news on Twitter.
いつも当店をご利用頂きまして、ありがとうございます。
誠に勝手ながら、シルクハット池袋は2021年1月11日(月)の営業をもって閉店させていただく事となりました｡
長きに亘るご愛顧、スタッフ一同、心より感謝申し上げます。
残り僅かな期間となりますが、皆様のご来店をお待ち申し上げております。 pic.twitter.com/aPD6cjXsIU— シルクハット池袋 (@SILKHAT_ike) December 1, 2020
SoraNews24 supplied a translation:
“Thank you always for your patronage.
We sincerely apologize, but Silk Hat Ikebukuro will be permanently closing on January 11.
The entire staff would like to express out heartfelt appreciation to all of our customers who have lovingly supported us for so long.”
SoraNews24 also translated some fan responses:
“The pandemic isn’t helping, but even before all this, arcades had been losing customers for a long time.”
“I went there all the time to play games when I was a student, and even as an adult, I always stop be when I’m in Ikebukuro. I’m so sad to hear about this. Thank you for all the good times.”
Source: SoraNews24
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, and its sequel, Manga Art for Intermediates, with professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
