Kenny Renfroe and Games for Fun: The Original American Pickers

Owner Kenny Renfroe and his staff have spent many years building Games for Fun’s reputation as a credible source for all things game room related. From pool tables, to shuffleboard tables, to air hockey tables, to foosball tables, to slot machines – all the way to game accessories, Games for Fun has something for everyone. But it’s not only a one-stop game room shop. It’s a one-stop everything shop. “Over the years, we’ve added so many product categories, it’s no longer just a pool table store,” said Renfroe. “It’s a complete game room store.” Games for Fun’s combined 26,000-square-foot showroom, storage and warehouse is also home to a variety of vintage items, ranging from comic books to original vending machines to Schwinn bicycles. “In the earlier days,” explained Renfroe, “I would go out after work and buy items from private parties, or I would go to swap meets on Sundays.” Nowadays, Renfroe has “spotters” who purchase vintage and collectable items for Games for Fun, which they then display in their showroom for sale. Creating an air of nostalgia, Games for Fun provides its customers with a taste of their childhood. “Customers have the desire to keep their youth close at hand,” said Renfroe. One item Renfroe purchased and restored was a girl’s Schwinn bicycle from the 1960s, with the generator still attached. Schwinn was founded in 1895 and gained industry dominance through the 1950s, becoming one of the most known and used bicycle brands in the country. “The man who buys the pool table who buys the bicycle will likely also be interested in a pedal car restored for his grandchild,” said Renfroe. “We’re thinking outside the box and looking forward for opportunities.” In fact, more than 30 years ago, before “picking” and restoring was as hugely popular as it is today, Renfroe and his team worked with Rick Dale of Rick’s Restorations, star of History Channel’s “Las Vegas Restorations.” “There’s a coke machine, a Vendo 39, in the showroom right now that we got from Rick years ago,” said Renfroe. “We sold it, but people downsized in the last downturn, and we buy things back. That was an item that came back. Nowadays you don’t see many of them because they’ve been purchased and sent out of the country.” Attention to detail, a reputation for well-made and restored game tables and accessories, and customer satisfaction are all things that have contributed to Games for Fun’s longevity in the area. “Games for Fun has not only weathered many storms, but we continue to grow. I think that’s simply through customer satisfaction,” Renfroe said. “Games for Fun is unique because we’re truly a one-stop opportunity. No matter what your game needs are, all of that is under the same roof. We’re a jewel in San Bernardino. We’re very creative and we try to meet all our customers’ needs.” Games for Fun is located at 895 West Rialto Avenue in San Bernardino. They are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.