Aladdin’s Castle: Country Fair Mall

A once-popular destination for video game enthusiasts, the Aladdin’s Castle arcade in Champaign was located in the Country Fair Shopping Center. It operated next to the Country Fair 4 movie theater, creating a popular entertainment spot for local youth. The arcade was part of a large national chain that began in the early 1970s and grew to over 450 locations by the early 1980s before declining. The entire Aladdin’s Castle franchise eventually ceased operations, with the final location closing in the early 2020s.