Last summer, 9-year-old Caine Monroy built an elaborate cardboard arcade inside his dad’s used auto parts store on Mission Road in Boyle Heights. Today he is an internet sensation and has over $100,000 for college after a video by filmmaker Nirvan Mullick went viral on Vimeo and Youtube.
The 11-minute short shows Monroy’s clever creations: from miniature basketball and soccer to a 500-turn fun pass for $2. It also shows Monroy’s dedication to a large makeshift arcade with no real customers. But the sweetest moment is captured when a surprise flash mob of gamers”” organized by Mullick via facebook”” came to play at Caine’s Arcade.
“I thought, ‘is this real life or I was just dreaming?’,” said Monroy in the video.
In just two days, Caine’s Arcade picked up 1 million views on Vimeo and so far, fans have donated $122,000 to Caine’s scholarship fund. To donate, click here.
Caine’s Arcade (located inside Smart Parts Aftermarket)
538 N. Mission Rd
Boyle Heights, CA 90033
Hours
Saturday: 8am ”“ 5pm
Sundays: by appointment
