Tom Deleo i Deleo Games and his father, Joe Deleo Jr., make a selection in a 1951 Jukebox. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
While the peanut cars found in local bars and clubs in the mid -1940s can be a thing of the past, the small business -owned business in Altoona supplying those innovations is continuing to be strong and continues to provide entertainment opportunities for businesses not only in Pennsylvania but also in five neighboring countries, too.
Deleo games were opened in 1945 in 411 Seventh St., in a small store behind Joe Deleo Sr. and his wife, Josephine.
Now, 80 years later, the business he bought, filled and submitted peanut cars has grown in a much larger enterprise offering Arcade games, Pinball cars, digital jukeboxes, pool tables, arrow boards, Pennsilvania and more.
Although offers may have changed, the family atmosphere has remained, with 88-year-old Joe Deleo Jr. Working part-time as other family members-including his granddaughter Katie, representing the fourth generation-are at the top of daily business operations.
Joe Deleo Jr., first behind the steering wheel of a Deleo Games vehicle, was 8 years old when his parents entered the play business, opening a small store at 411 Seventh St., Altoona, in 1945.
Deleo Jr. He was 8 years old when his parents went into business for themselves, as his father learned about the sale and service of Allen Amusements in Altoona.
His parents “started with peanut cars,” Deleo Jr. said, remembering that they would enter different places and “clean (cars) for the next day”.
Deleos graduated in cigarette and pinball cars operated with coin, and entertainment machines such as Jukeboxes and pool tables, said Deleo Jr. “Thing anything that gets a nickel.”
A young man at the time, Deleo Jr. He said he liked to work with his father. “The business was exciting.”
Deleo Sr. He added a variety of cars to grow business, and he also added more employees such as his brothers Anthony “Shorty”, Danny and Herbie, and his sister -in -law, Millie.
The generations of the Deleo Family Games include (from the left) are Tom Deleo and his wife Colleen Deleo, his father, Joe Deleo Jr. and daughter Katie Link. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
A record store, selling albums, 45 and eventually record players – or Victrolas – added to the list, as was the motto’s “Falling a Currency” service.
Deleo JR graduated from Bishop Guilfoyle High School in 1954, went to the Pharmacy School at the University of Pittsburgh, then returned home to open his own business in the city center. He spent 30 years in the pharmacy business, but remained involved in the amusement business that is now owned by his son, Tom and the bride, the college.
“We are most likely the oldest business of sales machinery in the area,” Deleo Jr. “We are a survivor.”
Tom Deleo said business is a part of his life, as he grew up working with his father, and remains a fun effort.
“You meet new people and I enjoy working with employees,” he said.
Tom Deleo (right) helps the Byron Cassidy operations manager under the hood of a pinball car. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
The business concept has remained the same for 80 years-the reunification of other businesses with amusement-type mechanical games, but modern technology has expanded opportunities.
“(Business) has not changed much,” Deleo Jr. said, mentioning that the cars are still currency or now, the dollar operation. But because of today’s technology, they are able to provide faster service than in the 1950s.
“At that time, you will get a call, track someone down,” said Tom Deleo. “Now it’s all automatic.”
Deleo Jr. Credits the company’s success for Tom’s hardship and tireless work.
“Under Tom’s leadership, Deleo Games has flourished and has become a leading distributor of Pennsylvania’s popular skills games,” Deleo Jr.
The Deleo Scott Wible Game Warehouse Manager puts a paper paper in a Pennsylvania skill game. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
Tom Deleo has successfully managed and expanded Deleo Games over the past 40 years, his father said, adding that as the third generation Deleo, he introduced the arrow electronic leagues in the area 32 years ago. They remain extremely popular, said Deleo Jr.
With the flow of Pennsylvania’s skill games, the business has continued to grow, offering a host of choices that can choose institutions.
Those businesses that are partners with Deleo games in skill machines “estimate the games and the resulting income have had a positive impact on general operations,” said Colleen Deleo. “As a result, (Deleo Games) has expanded to a larger structure and has hired additional employees.”
Fearlessness
Colleen said her husband’s fearless approach to capture new opportunities and embracing industry changes has been useful in running the company’s success.
“(Tom) has navigated the evolution of Jukeboxes, passing from 45s and CDs to online -based systems. His vision for our company and his willingness to succeed is unforgivable. His grandfather would be very proud,” Colleen said.
The business model is simple, and it benefits both Deleo and their partner businesses.
“We own the cars,” Deleo Jr. said, explaining the partnership between Deleo Games and businesses waiting for cars.
As a fun entity, Deleo games have contracts with businesses to supply and maintain cars. As a return, both the host and Deleo business games receive some of the sales.
This allows both companies to make money and remain competitive.
Philanthropic attempts
Deleo games are proud of community support.
“So many successful businesses here have been given to the community, and we would like to be sure that we are one of them,” Deleo Jr.
As a “low -profile business”, he said the business is actually “best known through our philanthropy”.
Deleo Games has been a supporter of the Healing Patch children’s grief program for the last five years, said Kimberly Helssel, Director of Development/Marketing Communications for the Nursing Agency at home.
“We are very grateful that this local business chooses to invest in the future of our community by ensuring that the sad children and their families can find hope and healing after loss,” Helssel said.
Deleo Games is also a supporter of the Waw Pet Recovery of Blair County Inc.
“Their donation gave us the opportunity to buy more and better equipment to help us find and block lost pets,” Kelly Gunsallus said. “Mobile cameras and box traps are an important part of our organization. Their donation also helped feed the bait for traps and gas for our vehicle. “
Deleo Games has also supported the Blair County Family Resources Center for the last few years through donations to parents as teachers and other field efforts, said principal Denise Adams.
“They have donated funds for our bus program so that Blair County students can have the school equipment needed to start the school year,” Adams said.
Deleo Games also donated to the Toasty Toddler program that provides children with up to 5 years old with new coats, hats and gloves, and gave gift cards to meet the needs of parents as a teacher to buy food, cleaning products, diapers and clothing.
Deleo Games was recently appointed winner of Girls Night Out Altoona, who is dedicated to raising awareness of breast cancer and financing of essential research and services, including mammography manifestations.
Partnership with community organizations and other businesses is important, the Deleo family said.
“Here are our roots,” Colleen told business business efforts. “This is our community and our clients.”
As they look at the future, Deleos are preparing for steady growth.
“We want to continue to provide fun for businesses for generations to come,” Tom Deleo said.
To this end, they are “lucky to have many family members and a skilled team team,” Colleen said, mentioning that “our daughter Katie is a valuable asset to the accounting office.”
With Joe Deleo Jr. Still actively involved, and a quick hand a pinball, also (please watch the video clip), “There are days that I say are all fun and games that work in Deleo games,” said Colleen.
Mirror Walt Frank staff writer is in 814-946-7467.