Dave & Buster's opens in Northeast Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The wait is finally over for Dave & Buster's fans. The arcade and restaurant catering to adults is now open for business in Northeast Fresno. After several months of construction and anticipation, the business opened Monday morning.

The 30,000 square foot facility located off of Highway 41 and Friant Road has a restaurant, bar and more than 150 arcade games for adults and kids to enjoy.

"We're just so excited to be here, you know," general manager Jeff Bollenbeck said. "As far as the job creation, it was crazy. We had 7,800 applications to go through when we got here."

Bollenbeck said over a two week period they interviewed 1,700 applicants and hired 230.

Some members of the Fresno City Council were excited to play a game of Pac-Man but they're really excited about the potential for economic growth Dave & Buster's will bring to Fresno.

"You are seeing Fresno top retail with the River Park center and now Dave & Buster's which will be a regional attraction," Fresno City council member Lee Brand said. "I'm sorry Madera, I'm sorry Clovis, your tax dollars are coming to Fresno."

Fans lined up an hour before the doors officially opened. One of the first customers, who's from San Francisco, decided to check it out while visiting family in the Central Valley.

"I've seen the commercials which is weird because they will have the commercials here but there won't be one nearby," Matthew Ortiz-Belcher said. "So, I've always wanted to go and my interest has been peeking a bit."

While this is the first time at Dave & Buster's, for some others are regulars at other locations around California and wanted to see how the new Fresno location is different.

"They don't have a pool hall here," Javier Ramirez of Fresno said. "I mean wish they would of but other than that it is still pretty fun."