mountain moment with john french Owner of Appalachian Pinball Museum

In the heart of downtown Hendersonville, you’ll find an attraction brimming with nostalgia and intrigue. Here, you can not only view treasures from a bygone analog era, but also play more than 80 pinball machines and video games, for only $12 a person. A prime example of the unique activities that make Hendersonville so special, the Appalachian Pinball Museum offers outstanding entertainment for visitors of every age.

We sat down with owner John French to learn more about the museum.

Q: When did you open the Appalachian Pinball Museum?

A: My wife and I opened it in 2018, and I’m having the time of my life. I have a jobby: not a job; not a hobby.

Q: Name some of your more interesting pinball machines, and do you allow people to play those?

A: Oh yes. All the games except for the super old ones are on the floor to play. We’ve got a good old-fashioned Theater of Magic from 1995, and it’s everybody’s favorite. We’ve got Addams Family and Twilight Zone from 1993 or 1994. We have an Incredible Hulk from 1979, Police Force from 1989, Harlem Globetrotters from 1978, and a lot of electro-mechanical games from the 1970s.

Q: How many machines are on the floor?

A: There are 53 pinball machines on the floor right now. In the arcade section, we’ve got 24 video games and seven shooters. Altogether, it exceeds 80, but that number comes and goes. I’m always pulling things off the floor and putting things on.

Q: What is your business philosophy?

A: Just make people happy. When people come in here, they’re not coming to talk to somebody about their taxes, they’re coming in to have fun. They’re smiling when they come in, and I want to make sure they are smiling when they leave.

Q: You have a snack bar and recently added beer. Is that going well?

A: My philosophy is you can’t play pinball without beer. I like having beer for the adults, and we have sodas for the kids, plus chips and crackers.

John's Top 5

Hendersonville recommendations:

» Hands On! Children's Museum Cool place where kids — and adults — learn by doing. Lots of space and educational, fun activities.

» Arabella Breakfast & Brunch

Great fresh-made food and cocktails at a reasonable price. The loaded waffles are wonderful!

» Aquarium & Shark Lab by Team ECCO Educational and fun. Lots of displays and shark feedings!

» Mast General Store OK, so I just go for the bulk candy.

» The Kingmaker's Draft Board games and beer. Who could ask for more?