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BUSINESS
THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 12, 2021
His arcade business evolved from YouTube tutorials BY GABRIELLA BURTON Arizonan Contributor
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Entrepreneur Will Leinart made a reputation with YouTube tutorials showing how people can get prizes on claw machines in arcades. (Special to the Arizonan)
ormer YouTuber Will Leinart, owner of the arcade company Joystick, now counts Chandler Fashion Center among his multiple locations of self-monitored machines throughout Arizona. Leinart began YouTubing in 2011 with an unusual angle: throughout the years, he provided tutorials on claw machines that showed people how to get prizes. Forming an LLC called Claw Master, the Tempe resident racked up a million subscribers in the process. “It really helped grow my
character, my YouTube helped me fund my career,” Leinart said. His first company was called Zap, which he bought in 2014. For a few years he kept the name until he realized that the brand had developed a bad reputation and feared it might follow his career. Enter Joystick. “When I rebranded in 2018, I started over and then my YouTube started doing better,” Leinart explained. “Then everything worked off each other.” Now, with 10 years in the arcade industry, Leinart feels that he has gained a lot of experience. And because he is not a large arcade company, he doesn’t have much competition because most other arcade businesses are ei-
ther far smaller or much bigger than Joystick. That advantage made it easier for him to navigate through the challenges of the pandemic, Leinart said. Joystick’s only obstacle throughout the pandemic occurred when malls were closed and therefore could not access his arcades. And when malls reopened, he said, he recovered more quickly than other family entertainment centers. But that doesn’t mean Leinart has avoided all the economic woes associated with the pandemic. Like many other businesses
see JOYSTICK page 31
North Chandler Place ranked high in Arizona BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Arizonan Staff Writer
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ith so much green space on North Chandler Place’s conveniently located continuum of care senior living community, it really stands out from its competitors. Located at 2555 N. Price Road in Chandler, the community offers apartment homes for adults 55 and older; assisted living; memory care and five-star-rated nursing care and rehabilitation. The independent living residences are separate from the rest of the campus. Apartments range in size from 647 to 1,330 square feet and rent starts at $2,100 per month — a great deal considering that rent includes two meals each day, complimentary use of washers and dryers, basic cable, an emergency call system, and activities. Kathleen Fanning, community relations director, says the campus had a recordbreaking summer with move-in activity.
North Chandler Place provides a continuum of care with many amenities.
(Special to the Arizonan)
“It is wonderful that prospective resi-
dents chose us because of the amazing
sense of community we have cultivated here at North Chandler Place” Fanning says. “I would encourage anyone interested in making a move to act now so that they can take advantage of, and lock-in, our low 2021 rates.” There is a variety of apartment styles for rent. The largest apartment is 1,330 square feet, which Fanning called “huge.” “That is a big deal here,” she says. “We’re probably the only place where you can get something that big that isn’t twice our price.” Fanning encourages all potential residents to shop around and compare and added, “Our campus also offers personal care services with our staff located onsite – a really unique amenity.” Other accommodations include assisted living and memory care. Complete with a 24-hour certified care staff, assisted living begins at $1,800 plus care, which is personalized to meet the distinct
see PLACE page 31
