“I’m just a guy with an idea that I know will work and that I know is something Providence needs.”

Those were the first words Mike Maven said to me regarding his desire to bring an arcade bar to the city of Providence. Now, he’s doing everything he can to make that dream a reality, as he plans to unveil Shelter Arcade Bar at the end of January 2016.

Maven said trying to open a business in Providence is no small feat, and in order to take on an endeavor of this magnitude, he’s asking for assistance from the community through a Kickstarter campaign. The campaign, in which he hopes to raise $25,000 to help out with renovations and opening costs, as well as to afford some of the machines, will run through Jan. 9, and offers a variety of rewards for different levels of contributions – but more on that later.

Maven said Shelter will start with 20 arcade machines and 13 pinball machines on opening day, but after a couple months of operation he hopes to bring those totals to 30 arcade machines and 20 pinball machines, which would make it the largest establishment of its kind in the Northeast and one of the largest pinball collections that is open to the public.

“It doesn’t exist anywhere else,” he said.

An avid pinball collector, Maven said he’s been interested in classic arcade games ever since he was a kid.

“I just spent the last 10 years as a touring musician,” said Maven, who was the songwriter, lead vocalist, and guitarist of Young Pandas. “Being in cities where I didn’t know a lot of people, arcade bars are where I would meet like-minded people.”

During his travels on tour, Maven said he discovered arcade bars are a growing trend throughout the country.

“They’re popping up in small cities, like Louisville, Ky., Asheville, N.C. and Charleston, S.C. – it’s a sign that these places are becoming cool,” he said. “Providence has the community for it.”

Maven said Providence is currently known for its elevated cuisine and cocktails, but there are also breweries and craft beer companies popping up that are locally based and doing well. And Maven plans to support them by establishing partnerships to feature craft beer at Shelter.

“An arcade bar is the perfect demographic for fans of local craft beer,” he said.

Maven said arcade bars cater to both the casual and hardcore gamer.

“Interest in gaming hasn’t dwindled, but the cost to invest in the real estate and to keep the games and make a profit became too difficult, and arcades couldn’t make enough money to stay open,” he said, adding that advancements in console gaming contributed to a decline in attendance at arcades. “We can afford to keep the lights on and have the games out with the bar.”

In addition to featuring arcade-themed custom cocktails, Maven said there is already a “huge partnership” in the works with Narragansett Brewing Company (founded in Cranston and now headquartered in Providence), with a focus on limited-run beers.

In addition to partnering with local breweries, Maven said Shelter hopes to also represent small, out-of-town craft beers as much as possible.

Maven has big plans for Shelter, as it will offer more than just classic arcade games, pinball, and local craft beer.

“Shelter will also serve as a live music venue and on certain nights of the week we will set the games to free play, giving people twice the reason to come see local musicians,” he said, adding that many music venues are struggling to survive today, especially those dependent on local bands and musicians. “We want to get people in for the environment and get them to listen to good local bands they haven’t heard before.”

Maven said many times, people will pay the cover to get into a venue and then leave only to come back and see a certain band while skipping others in the process.

“But if we provide free games, there’s reason for people to stay and there’s exposure for all the bands,” he said.

But wait, there’s more.

Maven also plans to put in a pool table, a foosball table, and hopes to eventually add skee-ball.

“We’re also building in seating and table space for card games and board games [such as ‘Magic: The Gathering’ and ‘Dungeons & Dragons’], as we want to encourage the table-top gaming community to make Shelter their home,” he said. “We want to make it the ultimate living room and gaming room filled with like-minded individuals.”

Maven said there will also be a VIP Lounge area that can be reserved for parties, but will otherwise be open to the public.

“For private parties, we can rotate specific games by request and set them to free play,” he said.

Having recently gotten involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters and helping out troubled youth, Maven said he would also like to use Shelter to foster youth outreach and camaraderie while providing a safe, common space for young people, something he says doesn’t exist anymore because arcades have died off.

“One of the great things about Shelter is we have a license that will allow us to be open to all ages [during the day until 8 or 9 p.m.],” he said. “For us nerds, gaming was a way to build confidence because it allowed us to compete with our friends in a way that wasn’t sports.”

Maven said Shelter Arcade Bar wouldn’t be possible without the cooperation of his business partners, the co-owners of a current bar who are completely tearing it down and replacing it with a brand new arcade bar.

“They already have all the proper [liquor and entertainment] licenses in place,” he said. “We’re taking a nightclub space in Providence and converting it into a place for young, smart, medium- to high-earning professionals, young talent that the city is working to attract and have stay in Providence.”

Maven said an arcade bar is something he’s wanted to exist for a long time.

“I got back from tour and I was bummed when I realized there was nothing like this in Providence, and someone told me I should start one,” he said.

Maven said he spent a year and a half researching the arcade and bar industries and writing up a business plan for Shelter Arcade Bar.

“The original inspiration came from the one in Denver,” he said.

Although there is Arcadia National Bar in Portland, Maine, which is owned by David Aceto, Maven said the two don’t see each other as competitors.

“Dave has been great. He opened up his books and showed me that something like this is possible. He said he was excited when I told him about my idea for Shelter because he knows he doesn’t have the ability to reach Rhode Island right now,” he said. “We’re looking to help each other build this idea in New England. This is not Dave & Buster’s, it’s not a singular concept; it’s small businesses taking on a similar inspiration.”

For more information or to pledge your support – with rewards ranging from $5 for a personalized “thank you” note to $4,000 to hand-select an arcade or pinball machine to be added to the permanent floor collection (along with many other perks, including an invite to the grand opening), with a number of rewards in between such as a Shelter bumper sticker, pint glass, T-shirt and free credits – visit the Kickstarter page.