Sweet Machine brings nostalgia to San Juan Bautista

In the quiet downtown of San Juan Bautista, a new local business is hoping to make a big splash with the vintage arcade game enthusiasts and curious pedestrians alike. Chris Baker and his wife, Natalie, have wanted to open this business for years, a place where kids can go to blow off steam racking up high scores on a vintage Ms.Pacman cabinet, or go on a harrowing journey in a nostalgic game of Frogger.  

The Bakers both grew up in San Jose where they are raising their 4-year-old son. Taking their son to an arcade near their home was a pasttime that the Bakers wanted to share with another community. A quaint town like San Juan Bautista lent itself to this task, as there are a limited number of things for kids to enjoy in the tourist destination.  

Natalie’s mother has lived in San Juan for five years, and Natalie and her son were both baptized in the mission, so she is familiar with the town. After about two years of looking for buildings, the couple decided that the location at 304 3rd St. was the best fit for their business model.  

Once the arcade idea was in place, a candy store and soda shop tied right in nicely. Customers can enjoy a specialty soda or vintage candy while playing or watching a friend try for a high score. Sweet Machine has more than 50 kinds of soda, but their goal is to aim for 100 varieties along with 100 different types of candy.  

The Bakeres hope to create a feeling of nostalgia in their friendly yellow store, with candies and sodas that may remind some guests of the “good-old-days.” All of the games are original vintage cabinets from around the San Jose area.  

Chris Baker said he always dreamed about owning his own business. His father owns a gun shop, and Chris still works there today. But when he was diagnosed with cancer and underwent chemotherapy for eight long months, he decided that it was time to make his dream a reality. The day he found out he was cancer-free, he told his wife that he wanted to go forward with the business that he had thought about for so long. Natalie readily agreed.  

Natalie has been managing the store while her husband works at his father’s shop most days of the week to support their family as the new business gets off the ground. Although she is at the store more often than her husband, it is apparent that she is more than happy to help her husband’s dream become a reality.  

“I am incredibly proud of my husband,” she says. “I am in such awe of him.” 

The Bakers said they are incredibly grateful for all the help that they have received along the way in order to get Chris’ dream started.  

Sweet Machine will be having a grand opening this weekend.