Aladdin’s Castle: Ashville Mall Space M-4

Aladdin’s Castle, Asheville Mall opened in November 1989, staking out a 4,500‑square‑foot suite just off the lower‑level food court. For the next dozen years the branch served as western North Carolina’s joystick mecca—new releases like Mortal Kombat would draw crowds three‑deep around the cabs, while the upper balcony offered a ring‑side view of high‑score showdowns.

A 2021 retail‑history Flickr caption confirms the unit closed in 2002, briefly re‑branded as Time Out, then cycled through non‑arcade tenants (Sugar Mama Waxing, As Seen On TV Plus) before becoming a Claire’s boutique in 2014. Facebook discussion threads still fill with locals recalling the cheesy “Open Sesame” jingle that looped over the PA and the thrill of 5‑for‑$1 token specials on slow weeknights.