Scarce traffic, needed building upgrades and unsustainable rent are among the reasons downtown Hillsboro’s blast-from-the-past arcade bar is pulling the plug.

Arcade 2084, the self-described “bar that time forgot,” will close its doors permanently Sunday, June 29, at 248 E. Main St. in downtown Hillsboro, the business confirmed with the News-Times.

Opened in 2020, the dark bar — lit by the flashing lights of vintage pinball machines and classic arcade cabinets — has served as a retro escape for gamers and nostalgia seekers, pairing pizza and beer with old-school décor and rock anthems overhead.

It’s been a rough ride since turning on the power during the COVID-19 pandemic — a matter of unfortunate timing, co-owner Shana Nelson said, after signing a three-year lease in February 2020 when there were still fewer than 20 reported cases in the United States.

“By the time we took possession in April, the state was in full lockdown. And when we opened the doors in July, we had to operate under heavy restrictions,” Nelson said. “Meanwhile, all operating costs remained the same, and as a brand-new business, we were not eligible for most COVID relief.”

To add insult to injury, restrictions had just been lifted in 2022 when the Weil Arcade commercial building on Main Street burst into flames — shutting down access to local businesses for months.

“The timing couldn’t have been worse,” she said. “At this point, the rent is too high, the building needs too much work and there isn’t enough traffic coming in to cover expenses.”

Though there’s hope to open again, it’s unclear when or where that might be.

“We have a lot of great regulars that we’ll miss and feel good about all the happy memories that we were able to provide people who visited from around the world,” Nelson said.

Leading up to its final day, the bar remains open from 5 p.m. to midnight Thursday through Sunday. Entry is limited to patrons 21 or older.