A New Arcade is Planned for the Historic Placerville Soda Works Building

The historic Placerville Soda Works building at 594 Main St. in Placerville is being converted into a new entertainment venue and arcade by the property owners. The new business, called The Prospector , received conditional approval from the Placerville Planning Commission on February 6. The new venue can open in early March , according to owner and operator Ken Bell .

The building requires a new wheelchair lift connecting to the second floor to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. However, the rest of the building will be largely preserved for its historic value. Plans submitted indicate the new venue will contain a a bar, stage for live music and dance hall, plus 16 to 20 arcade games.

The arcade will open in the morning around 11 a.m. for all ages and operate until 10 p.m. The business will be closed to minors from 10 p.m. and stay open until 2 a.m. The business will offer dance classes, live music, and a bar. Bell hopes to open the arcade in early March and continue to work on installing the lift.