Smitty’s Service Station, located at 1545 Hwy. 48 East in Sandy Hook, Mississippi, operates as a unique attraction dedicated to preserving the history of 1980s family entertainment. While the building once functioned as a traditional service station owned by the proprietor’s grandfather, it was transformed by Damon Breland, who opened his animatronic collection to the public in 2007 and moved it to its current location in 2018. Breland, an enthusiast of classic entertainment venues, began collecting animatronics in 2001, with the goal of recreating the experience of ShowBiz Pizza Place and Chuck E. Cheese establishments.
Today, Smitty’s Service Station is renowned for housing a fully functional Rock-afire Explosion animatronic band, alongside characters from Chuck E. Cheese, creating a full-scale replica of the bygone 1980s pizza restaurant experience. This collection, meticulously assembled and restored over two decades, also includes genuine artifacts and memorabilia, offering visitors a nostalgic journey back in time. Operating by appointment only, Smitty’s serves as a distinct cultural hub in rural Mississippi, attracting guests from around the world eager to experience a preserved piece of entertainment history.
