By Tony Gorick
Sales & Marketing Manager, Decades
Intentionally building a fun, connected culture for teams to thrive is a high priority for a variety of businesses and organizations looking to enhance their business success–specifically with teamwork and employee wellness.
Team cultivation is more than just what happens inside the workplace, it also needs to be a priority outside of it. As work-life balance and additional hybrid working styles become more prevalent, it’s even more crucial to invest in your team holistically–and encourage fun where connections can thrive.
We have seen first-hand at Decades how fun, intentional team activities can level up productivity, connection, and team-building.
Opening in 2019, Decades is a full service restaurant & bar, retro arcade with over 40 games, 6-lane boutique bowling alley, and events venue for 20 to 300+ guests in downtown Lancaster,
Pennsylvania. Decades began as an idea between childhood friends who grew up playing video games and enjoying retro arcade fun together. They decided to bring that throwback amusement to their hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and open Decades in the historic Stahr Armory building on North Queen Street.
Creating an atmosphere of nostalgia and fun was at the forefront of the Decades business plan, and it’s that type of environment that’s advantageous for teams to connect with each other in a way that is casual, organic, and–most importantly–fun.
It’s in these fun moments that trust is built–further enhancing the productivity, communication skills, and relationships needed for an effective organization.
“In my personal experience, the highest performing teams produce great work together because they have built the relationships and trust that make that possible,” says Elspeth Moffatt, Director of Communications at the Lancaster City Alliance. “What I mean is that they have dedicated time to get to know each other in a more neutral space and beyond the expertise they bring to the table. When, as a team, we need to hold each other accountable or challenge ideas or thinking, it’s just easier to keep those conversations productive and non-confrontational when that foundation of trust exists.”
Team strength is more than just a quality meeting or an organized agenda. Cultivating a bond between team members is what helps build cohesive momentum as a group.
“We’ve always believed that the strongest teams aren’t built in conference rooms or over Zoom—they come together through shared laughs, good food, and time spent outside the office, where job titles take a back seat and real connections happen,” said Ryan Martin, Partner and Account Director at Infantree. “Decades has been the perfect spot for that more than once—whether it’s happy hours filled with bowling and arcade games, or a quick walk over for some ice cream on the patio, it’s been a go-to place for us to unwind, connect, and just enjoy being a team.”
Team-building is more than just a fun reprieve from daily tasks and emails–it’s a necessary component to effective culture-creation and organizational success-building.
We’ve been grateful to host events and casual gatherings for The Restaurant Store, HDC Mid-Atlantic, High Companies, Infantree, Lancaster City Alliance, Community Action
Partnership, the Lancaster Chamber, Tower Marketing, Fulton Bank, and many other incredible Lancaster County organizations looking to power up their culture, celebrations, and team connections.
Whether it’s a team outing to bowl at Decades, a lunch at a local restaurant, or a trip to one of the great farmer’s markets we have in our County, make team outings a priority in your business outlook to not only bring the fun but to also elevate your company culture–further enhancing your overall strategic success.
About Decades
Decades is a locally-owned full service restaurant & bar, retro arcade with over 40 games, 6-lane boutique bowling alley, and events venue for 20 to 300+ guests in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Decades opened in 2019 in the historic Stahr Armory building on North Queen Street.
Website: decadeslancaster.com
Phone: 717-282-1421
Address: 438 N Queen St., Lancaster, Pa 17603
Hours: Open Wednesday-Sunday, hours vary
not secure