SAUGUS — There won’t be an adult arcade and bar at the Square One Mall after all.
Round One Entertainment Inc. withdrew its application for a facility at the Route 1 shopping center when selectmen questioned whether the business would be more of an asset or a liability.
“This mall, historically has been a resource drain for our public safety,” said Selectman Jeff Cicolini.
The California company was seeking a special permit for an arcade in Saugus, in addition to a liquor license. But they chose to withdraw the request.
In a presentation Wednesday, Shintaro Kaji of Round One Entertainment said the business started in Japan, where more than 100 stores are operating. The business came to the U.S in 2010. Today there are 15 arcades in nine states. A Saugus location would join Taunton as the second Massachusetts operation.
Plans for the family entertainment center included 300 arcade games, 14 bowling lanes, eight billiard tables, four karaoke rooms, two ping pong tables, and two dart machines. Beer, wine, and “typical bowling alley foods,” would be sold, Kaji said.
The team first made its proposal in July, but requested a continuation when they realized the board wanted more details.
Residents voiced concerns about the project since the beginning, citing a high crime rate at the mall and the mix of arcade games and alcohol.
Longtime resident Anthony Sorrentino said he never felt compelled to attend a meeting until the arcade was brought up.
“I do want to say that I’m pro-business and this is a cool business model,” he said. “But I want to make sure that this is more of an asset than a liability at this particular location.”
Sorrentino, who has a son in middle school and a daughter in high school, said Saugus Police Department data reveals that from Aug. 1, 2016 through July 31, 2017, there were 47 percent of assault, disturbance, fight, and robbery calls came from the Square One Mall. The next highest call-volume was 17 percent at 180 Main St.
“We are very limited with these resources,” Sorrentino said. “If they came in and wanted to do a build up near Trader Joes or one of these areas that are at 2 percent, I would bring my kids there myself. This concept, without alcohol, I think would be a home run.”
Round One had planned to hire an outside security firm for the facility, Kaji said. The company would have employed about 50 people, with about 15 people on during each shift. At the chain’s top money making stores in the country, about 300 to 350 people fill the center at one time, he said.
The developers chose to withdraw without prejudice, rather than risking an unfavorable vote, so they can reapply at another time.
Four selectmen voted in favor of the withdrawal and one, Scott Brazis, voted in opposition.