According to Vintage Richmond, the shot is from a Circuit City store circa 1981. I think the year is likely 1980, because I don’t see Asteroids, Missile Command, or Yar’s Revenge, all of which were released for the 2600 in 1981. I do see Space Invaders and Warlords, both released in 1980.
There are two 2600 consoles in the photo, as well as a Magnavox Odyssey² and an Intellivision. I keep thinking two things: first, who was the poor bastard who had to get those TVs onto that shelf? And second, those TVs look very precariously perched on that shelf.
Note that customers had to “limit video game play to 5 minutes only”. I’m sure the kids minded the warning.
2 Warps to Neptune 
Ha ha. I love the ‘5 mins only’ sign and the insane slant on that shelf! G x
Yeah, those TVs look like a lawsuit waiting to happen. Our local Target had only 1 demonstration 2600 and TV. And no 5 minute sign. Kids would park their butts there all day long. I remember talking my mom into going when the store first opened early in the morning and racing so I could be the first one on. Once other kids started showing up, I felt the pressure and relinquished my spot.