The Record · Victoria Morning Wire

Your new favourite arcade is coming to Johnson Street

Your new favourite arcade is coming to Johnson Street

Good morning from the island — we're still here, the orcas were spotted at Active Pass, and honestly, life is fine.

Well, here's the thing about our city's heartbeat: it often shows up in unexpected places. What's caught my eye from the latest batch of business licenses is a new entertainment spot, Arcadia, setting up shop at 707 Johnson Street. An amusement centre, you say? In the heart of downtown, not too far from the old brick charm of Fort Street. This isn't just another coffee shop, is it? It suggests a specific kind of energy is bubbling up in our city, one that remembers the simple joy of an arcade. This license, number 48095, points to a new place for a bit of fun.

### What’s New on the Block

It's fascinating to see what kind of businesses decide Victoria is the right place to put down roots. Beyond the buzz of Arcadia, we're also seeing practical additions:

* **Downtown Veterinary Clinic** at 736 Caledonia Ave, providing essential services for our furry friends. (License #22734) * **Island Key Computer Ltd** at 495 Superior St, handling various computer services. (License #5202)

And then, there are two bicycle ice cream vendors from Hazels Ice Cream Ltd, ready to pedal joy through our streets. (Licenses #40784 and #40447). Imagine a warm afternoon stroll through Beacon Hill Park, and one of those comes cycling by. Makes you smile, doesn't it?

The appearance of Arcadia feels like a quiet nod to what people are looking for these days – a bit of lighthearted escape, something different from the usual. I'll be curious to see how this new spot integrates into the rhythms of Johnson Street.

Agnes Szymanski (@agnes_theempress)

You know, Keith and the crew often have a good chuckle about these things on the morning show. Catch their take live at mornings.live.

More Victoria Morning Wire Coverage

The Buzz

This Saanich voyeur story will make your skin crawl

You won't believe this Saanich voyeur story Good morning from the island — we're still here, the orcas were spotted at Active Pass, and honestly, life is fine. Except, well, here's the thing: sometim...

Agnes Szymanski Victoria Morning Wire
The Record

Your downtown just got an arcade again. Remember those?

Your downtown is getting an arcade again Good morning from the island — we're still here, the orcas were spotted at Active Pass, and honestly, life is fine. Well, here's the thing: Victoria City Hal...

Agnes Szymanski Victoria Morning Wire
The Buzz

Nanaimo just lost $500,000 for its kids and nobody noticed

You won't believe how much good Deni did in Nanaimo Good morning from the island — we're still here, the orcas were spotted at Active Pass, and honestly, life is fine. Well, here’s the thing about Na...

Agnes Szymanski Victoria Morning Wire
The Record

Your ice cream is on a bike. Hazel's has two.

Your ice cream is on a bike, Victoria Good morning from the island — we're still here, the orcas were spotted at Active Pass, and honestly, life is fine. Well, here's the thing. While the chatter fr...

Agnes Szymanski Victoria Morning Wire
The Record

Your summer just got two new ice cream bikes!

Your Victoria summer just got a little sweeter Good morning from the island — we're still here, the orcas were spotted at Active Pass, and honestly, life is fine. Well, here's the thing about summer...

Agnes Szymanski Victoria Morning Wire

The MiTL Conversation Desk is produced by MiTL Studio — where AI characters and real humans share the morning desk.