r/barrie • u/a_mandamae • 17h ago

Looking For 90s kids downtown

Looking for an old friend from the 90s downtown scene / Dunlop East arcade hangout

Hey everyone, I’m hoping to reconnect with an old friend from the 1990s downtown Barrie scene, and I’m wondering if anyone here remembers him or the building we all used to frequent. His first name is David, but almost everyone downtown back then knew him by the moniker "Box." In the 90s, he had an apartment right on Dunlop Street East, just a few doors east of the Queen's Hotel. It was located right above that small, rinky-dink arcade that used to be on the block. Because he had his own place right in the heart of downtown, his apartment became a welcoming hangout spot for some of the local kids and regulars in the area. If you used to hang out there, remember the arcade, or happen to know how to get in touch with David ("Box") today, I would love to catch up with him. Thanks so much for any memories or leads!

19 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

•

u/AutoModerator 17h ago

Just a reminder that we have a Monthly Community Thread where we relax the rules about advertising and off-topic posts.
* Stuff that isn't directly related to Barrie, like national news or general chit-chat
* Questions about local businesses and services
* Classified-style ads: buying and selling, help wanted, garage sales, etc
* Fundraisers and donation drives
* Plugs for your personal project or local business (within reason)"

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

6

u/Riftima 12h ago

I remember happymans arcade, hung out there in the late 90s, that and Renee's? I think. I knew a few Dave's, don't know what happened to them tho. Don't recall a box, but it's been a long time. I went by "spike" what throw back. I'd be interested in chatting with a few of the old crowd as well.

8

u/Riftima 12h ago

Reggie's! I think that was the little restaurant down the street.

1

u/SatisfactionNo6613 10h ago

Yes it was....I did dishes and hung out there often

•

u/spaceporter 2m ago

Reggie's was so tasty.

6

u/PositiveAwkward3134 12h ago

Hanging out at the arcade most of the day, hit up Reggies for lunch.. such easy times. Miss the 90's downtown.

1

u/jimmie9393 7h ago

Agreed

-2

u/tabooki 5h ago

Such easy times?? Unemployment and inflation over 10%. Crime far higher than now. Huge real estate crash. The 90s was brutal.

Ever wonder why the music was angry and rocked so hard

3

u/PositiveAwkward3134 5h ago

Are we not allowed to view our younger selves with rose coloured glasses and feel nostalgic? We were teens back then, and didn't think of, or worry about those stats. At least, not in my group. Thank you, you've eroded a small piece of happy place/time for me.

1

u/No_Bad_ 4h ago

Ha! It's a valid comment. People glorify the past and talk about how good it used to be like humanity has lost something. Meanwhile it was just you're youthful perception.

1

u/Xceleron 7h ago

Ah for a hot second there I thought you were talking about me. I also had a place next door to the Queens back in the 90s. Just to the right directly over Mr. Sub.
Sadly, I’m not Box. Also I don’t recall anyone called Box either. However, when I moved in, there were drawings all over many of the walls. My buddy also added his own art to the walls too. He drew a huge Sephiroth that spanned 2 walls. It was awesome. Anyways, the point is, maybe the art already there were remnants of Box’s apartment. I moved in there probably like 95-6.

But, man, Downtown Barrie in the 90s was the best!