Joe Johansen works at LANL and also owns Los Alamos Golf & Games and Albuquerque Golf & Games. Courtesy photo
View of Los Alamos Golf & Games inside SALA Event Center at 2551 Central Ave. Courtesy/SALA
By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com
Joe Johansen has spent the better part of the last 10 years working at Los Alamos National Laboratory. He recently assumed the role of explosives safety lead. Johansen also is a combat wounded veteran who spent two years in Afghanistan. He credits the dedication and attention to detail he acquired in the military as the driving force at the heart of a business he recently started – Los Alamos Golf & Games.
“I work at the Lab and love this community and wanted to bring back some of the activities we used to have for kids and families,” Johansen said. “My original thought came pre-COVID when I was living in the Jemez. I was looking at the old Smith’s and what a great space it would be so started pricing costs for bowling allies and things like that and then COVID hit.”
Johansen explained that around that time some things also happened in his personal life and he moved to Albuquerque. He shifted his business model to a mobile operation. He purchased a 9 hole miniature golf course, some arcade machines and a driving range all designed to be broken down and transported to parties and events.
“The pandemic started slowing down so I opened a brick and mortar location in Albuquerque and started Albuquerque Golf & Games … then in early 2022 a friend sent me an announcement by the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce about a business accelerator program … it was so great and allowed me the opportunity to polish my business,” Johansen said. “I met Allan Saenz who owns SALA Event Center and in January I moved my business into SALA.”
Johansen provided golf simulators during the winter but now that it’s close to springtime, he said he is focusing on arcades and indoor entertainment options.
“We provide fun activities for kids and families,” Johansen said. “I am invested in the community and not one of those people who come up the hill just to make a buck – I care about Los Alamos.”
“Come on in, hang out have some food and play some epic games,” Johansen said. “We have everything from Atari to PlayStation and everything in between. Los Alamos Golf & Games features a professional quality indoor driving range. We offer rentals and rent to own programs for classic style arcade cabinets with a modern twist. We all want an arcade in our game room, family room or business, but buying one is a huge commitment of space and funding. Now there is no harm in trying to achieve everyone’s dream of having their own personal arcade.”
Los Alamos Golf & Games also sets up arcades for events, parties, weddings and gatherings of all sizes, he said. All of the arcade set ups do not require coins or money to play and have a variety of games built into them.
“That way you can have one arcade cabinet with tons of games!” Johansen said.
When he’s not working at the Lab or running his business, Johansen said he likes to play golf and is raising his two children.
To learn more about Los Alamos Golf & Games at 2551 Central Ave. and Albuquerque Golf & Games at 1016 Juan Tabo Blvd. Suite F, visit www.abqgolfandgames.com, email Johansen at info@abqgolfandgames.com or call him at 505.709.8581.
