All I have to do is order it for you, then I get comish, no matter where I send it, I'll PM you my phone number or you PM me yours.
Worst comes to worst, I'll get you a discount card, that I e-mail to you and you use at any cleveland area radioshack.
SIMPLE.
Some of the Items are online only though, and sorry but no discount there. But hell, 10% is better than nothing.

But yea, we can continue on PM if you want to do the discount thing, or the order thing.
I'd for sure like to make it as cheap as possible.

Craigslist and ebay: the best way to get 30% off of everything.

Also, I'd wonder if you might want to make the place LAN-capable. I'm not saying provde it with 6 computers, but perhaps--perhaps--a kind of pre-set up section where you can just hoist yer PC (or what have you) in (and of course the related fees).

It's really exciting me that you're actually doing this, man. I really think I have a vested interest in this now. So often I see ideas proposed, but when a project really gets rolling, it's exciting.

That's pretty much how the nearby video store worked. And remember: this was primarily a video rental store, and it still got loads of profit from the game section.

Well, I was also going to suggest GameSkins, but they apparently merged with the PA store, which = ThinkGeek store, so...donno. My WASD shirt is a little messed up from going through the wash so many times but it's still very...functional. I mean, what can you expect from a design that's like, glossed onto the shirt?

More then likely, this will be the case. Smash is damned-near my favorite game (Symphony of the Night is probably my all-time fav.). There are certain multiplay games which just have an amazingly universal appeal. Halo/Halo 2, Smash, Mario Kart, Time Crisis, etc. I know I'll probably have to supply the latest and greatest sports title, such as Madden, but I'd rather stay away from games like that if possible. Definately like to stick to the classics.

As far as DDR goes, I'm actually trying to price out an actual arcade cabinet with the nice metal stands and all. I think this would be a lot better then having some cheepo mat and trying to syphon money off of people. If anyone knows where I can get a nice coin-operated setup for not too much, it would be appreciated, cause I'm having no luck finding one reasonable.

I'd rather not charge for games besides on the really pretty units. I'm still up in the air about how I'm gonna do this.

And we're probably gonna have some computers w/hubs hooked up. Or at least we'll have the hubs. I'd like to do an Unreal Tourney. Definately staying away from internet games though, they seem like they're too much trouble.

And Spacepope, check your PM's.

Well thanks. Ironically, my wife and I have talked about the possibility of not being laid off. Technically, I haven't recieved my notice yet (probably gonna get that in the next two weeks or so), so they could change their mind before it comes to that.

In this case, my wife and I both agree that I'll quit. We have way too many hopes and dreams tied into this to just abandon it.

Besides, I've already been recommended for a job with RTA (our city bussing service out here) and I'm not following up on that. I don't want to be a mechanic. I'm committed to this.

It's not the logo that's fading, it's the physical seams under the arms (both sides I might add) that are coming apart with my Woot shirt. It's kinda sad because I think I've worn the shirt a total of about 4 times at most.

Ok folks, no major developments today. One of the places I was supposed to go see cancelled on me for tomorrow, and I'm working on pricing out some half-decent industrial carpet for the "living room" area. I found some that is about 89 cents per square ft., which happens to be a dark shade of red. We are thinking about making the decor a combination of red and blue (think Mario), with traces of silver (probably aluminum) placed in the appropriate places.

Definately looking forward to seeing some of these places tomorrow. I'll keep you guys posted.

Jose'

That's contingency income until you get up. I wouldn't recommend full force like that, but it is your life. I'm rooting for you no matter what direction you go.

Well, yes and no.

I mean, right now I'm trying to set up the cost-estimates for everything we can think of, from the food the the carpet to the track-lighting. I don't get laid off until June 2nd, so that gives me a month and a half to get the ball really moving on this project.

I'm not talking about quitting right away, I wouldn't quit until everything possible was in place.

Jose'

Honestly, there is just too many posts for me to read right now, so some of this may be redundant.

It can work. But it won't be easy living either. Expect to be tied to that store closer than a baby. This is a bigger commitment than anything you'll likely ever face. But it is doable.

I used to have two in my neighborhood. One folded because it was too comic extensive. Don't go into that in a major way, but carry a few sellers (major Marvel and DC titles).

The other's major success points were it's tournaments and computer/LAN usage. The tournaments are sweet because you have people who bring prodcut of their own, or buy it from your store, and pay money to earn the prize. Say 20 people pay $10 bucks each to try and win a case of cards. (I don't know how much one would cost, but adjust entry fee as needed.)

Having other gaming tournaments and keep tabletop tables for miniatures players. Rent tables for cheap and they'll come back every couple of days to rent that table for $5 an hour. And again, stock supplies of what they play.

Computers will be your cash crop. Rent them for about 3-5$ an hour. Find what works, and charge less for more hours. You'll start to have people begging you to set up CS and other deathmatch tournaments. Again, tournatments are the big thing for game shops. Keep'em coming, but not as a super rate, otherwise the player base will burn out. Once a month for a tournament seems to be what works best. Any less and people aren't interested, any more, and it will be too spread out and they will fizzle out.

Have one of those clear front coolers that contain soda (pop, Coke, whatever) and various stuff like Bawls and Mountain Dew. Also, have a microwave and sell frozen hotpockets. You'll make hand over fist, trust me.

Have a wide selection of game stuff, because you never know what might be popular next, or what person might have a sudden need for Risk.

Videogames. Have one big screen TV and rent it out for gaming, same as tables and computers. DDR is popular, and you can start to host nights based around on anime screenings. (Warning: be very careful here. Either find out the applicable laws, or just charge for pizza and refreshments, not seating.)

Lastly, your best advertising is word of mouth. Round up some geeks and get the word out in schools and colleges. Have much posting of the various going on in your front window to attract all sorts of people.

The most difficult part is getting the word out. Eventually you'll have people coming there regulary, and if they don't always spend money, they will from time to time. And they'll tell other people.

Key word again, is renting. It will serve you well.

The Wandering God

(major Marvel and DC titles)

you know TWG I think he should also stock Zines and underground print, such as the work of Clowes, and R. Crumb.
It will be good.

And don't forget "Deep Fried". You should know that better than most, TheSpacePope :D
Honestly, I meant start out with what obviously works, then see what else is wanted. You don't want to get into the esoteric stuff unless you know people will buy it.

The Wandering God

EDIT: Thanks for sig material, TheSpacePope

I hear you there TWG.
Deep fried, it's been awile, to much 8ball I guess.
You should probably wait on that actually
damn TWG, you and you right-ness

OK, time for tired-rambly post. Long day....

-- Venting time --

As far as comics, I think (at least initially) that might be something I don't dabble in. I just don't have the resources, and it might work out to my benefit if I don't pursue comics. Lemme explain.

Part of the business proposal I have to give the bank deals with future income, and taking the number of people that come through the door and figuring out how many I'll actually profit off of.

The problem I'm running into is the fact that there is no business out here like I'd like to create. There's a place called Gamer's Haven that deals with pretty much only D & D stuff, a couple of comic shops, and a bowling alley.

I have to go to these various establishments to see if I can get some numbers on how many people come through the door and how many they profit off of. If they see what I want as a threat, I don't get numbers.

We'll take Gamer's Haven for example. I was in there today and tried to talk to the owner about starting my own business. He asked what I want to do and I told him we would like to open a cafe that would serve teens.

From the moment I said we would serve teens he was a total dick. I've never seen or met someone with multiple personalities before, but I think that changed today. It was almost like he found out I had a terrible disease like syphilis, avian flu, or feline leukemia (don't think too hard about this one). Within seconds he said he was too busy, and that he wouldn't be interested in giving any advise, and I should leave the premesis.

Total dick.

-- Progress time --

The good news is I found a place that is quite a bit closer then I would have imagined that can do shirts for dirt-cheap. Love their pricing, very cool peoples.

The great news is that we've found a place. I'm finalizing the details with the owners of the building, but it looks like we have a basement area that is about 3000 sq. ft, and we're gonna be leasing it out for about $6 a sq. ft. The nice thing is this includes common areas and maintenance, and taxes. Were talking about either a two or five year lease. I'm leaning toward five at this point. Because it is a basement, and we have to finish the basement ourselves, were also getting three months free. They have a business T-1 line already hooked up for another $100 a month. For everything, it is gonna be about $1600 a month. Very cool stuff.

Gonna make this short. My wife's in bed and I have the desire to spoon her. Tomorrow is the last day for a Smash Bros. tourney, and I'm in the final six (number 4, I think) out of 12, so I wanna get well-rested. I'll update more tomorrow.

Dunno if I said it already, but we'll probably be submitting our draft of the proposal to the bank next Friday. Least that's what I'm aiming for.

Night.

Jose'