Roger Nikunen, the new owner of Gizmo’s Arcade & Eatery, has worked in software development and as a stand-up comedian.

Roger Nikunen, an avid fan of “The Goonies” and a self-described child of the ’80s, will take over as the new owner of Gizmo’s Arcade & Eatery in April.

Andrea and Galen McDermed announced last year that the popular arcade at Commerical and 11th streets was for sale.

Nikunen, who has worked in software development and as a stand-up comedian, moved to Warrenton in October with his son, Mika. He said he spent time in Astoria over the years enjoying Goonies Day events and the arcade.

“I remember talking to the owner back then when it was Arc — was one of these days, one day when I retire, I’m gonna buy this place,” he said.

That dream suddenly became possible when Nikunen heard the space was available while getting a haircut at Eleventh Street Barber.

“I immediately got my haircut and beard trim from over there, and then I came over here and I talked to Andrea,” he said.

Nikunen learned of the work McDermed put into reopening the space in 2021. The Arc Arcade closed in 2017.

“I definitely want to give them high praise because they’re the ones that built it to what it is today … I’m basically gonna be building upon the foundation that they created, and this is well loved in the community,” he said.

Nikunen plans to have an ’80s neon-retro theme and expand the arcade’s menu.

“If we were back in the ’80s, and the kids from the (Goonies) movie were here, I would imagine them hanging out here,” he said.

Nikunen said he is in discussions with The Owl’s Nest, a food truck in Uniontown, about a partnership.

“I’m looking at working with them to come in … because they have the best burger. In my opinion, the best burger in Astoria,” he said.

Nikunen intends to have newer and more interactive games.

“It’s lacking that balance between wanting to honor the nostalgia of the games, but also, you want to have what the kids want,” he said.

The arcade will continue hosting game events, such as Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons and board game night.

“I want it to be a safe space for people in the community to do that, (and) probably do even more events like that,” he said.