On this episode of All The Things Real, Mel sits down with Scott Goldsmith and TJ Tilman, the minds behind Level 1 Arcade Bar and a growing lineup of standout concepts across the Valley. What started as a bold idea between friends turned into one of the most recognizable nightlife experiences in Arizona.

They get into the real story behind building Level 1 from the ground up, how they identified the gap in downtown Gilbert, and what it actually takes to turn a concept into something people connect with. From late nights, financial pressure, and figuring out roles on the fly, to creating spaces that people genuinely feel a part of.

It’s a look at entrepreneurship without the filter—how to build something from nothing, why service and experience matter more than the concept itself, and what it means to create places people keep coming back to.

Credits:

Hosted by Melissa Gierhahn

Produced by Connor Greenwall

Music by Alexander M Thomas