The Reality of owning a Game Store (1 Year Later)
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- Опубліковано 26 вер 2024
- We've officially owned a Video Game Store for a year and man has it been a journey! Today we talk about the good, the bad and the ugly of owning a Game Store!
Retro Ricks GamePoint Address:
2585 Donaghey Avenue
Suite #111
Conway, AR 72032
INSTAGRAM: @retro__rick
/ retro__rick
FACEBOOK: @RetroRick
/ retrorick1
#Games #VideoGames #Nintendo
As running my own retro gaming shop for 14 years now in Europe, I can only say one thing: please continue making these videos. I'm absolutely drooling when I see how your shop looks and that's even without putting a foot inside in real life.
Absolutely love your content!!!
Gamewalhalla mag er zeker ook wel zijn ;)
I would really love to drop by your shop and find out what it’s like running a retro game store in Europe. Considering you’re in Belgium and I’m in the Netherlands this would be a fun day trip.
@@laurigardner6227 Always welcome to pay us a visit ;-)
Oh I really have to visit gamewalhalla asap, thanks for the reminder, but he is true, when I’ll visit the americas I’m absolutely planning to visit this one. It looks so amazing and I saw it grow through the videos.
The work you're doing is important. You aren't just the owner of a game store, because you've transformed it into much more than that. You are providing a way for people to relive the best parts of their childhood by selling the games and consoles that people grew up playing. The way that you've packed the store with tons of retro memorabilia instantly transports customers back in time and just puts the total experience over the top. Your store is incredible, and I hope to visit it someday. Love from Pennsylvania.
The problem is, hes not making any money. This is not profitable. Your nostalgia trip, isnt profitable.
@@jonathansoko1085 I assume you're his accountant?
@jonathansoko1085 Many things we care about arent profitable. Does that mean they shouldnt be done because passion ≠ profit? No lol
@@mystraunt2705 My friend, never own a business or manage one. You don't understand how math works.
@jonathansoko1085 Im currently developing a game that I will likely lose money on. My point is that not everything we do in life is about money. Maybe this game store is a bad idea fuck if I know, but Im not gonna base my entire fucking life around what is profitable.
Rick, I drove in from Wichita, KS last week just to visit your store. If you look on the cameras and see some goofy 49 year old guy wandering around the store at like 8pm with his jaw on the floor that was me. I absolutely loved the store and it was well worth the drive.
I will say the reason I watch your videos is for the trade-ins and the thrift store vlogging. I love seeing the pieces of my childhood that you guys come across. I wish I lived closer so that I could visit the store more frequently. Keep it up. i am super impressed and love to live vicariously through you on this journey!
I would love to see more of the business side of things like, profit and losses, how long inventory sits on shelves when something sells, overhead costs, etc. I know that's a bit invasive but it's fascinating from any business, let alone a business I really love and care about even though I'm on the other side of the country! Congrats Rick and keep it up!
"Entrepreneurs" that are all about themselves and profit and can't conceive of providing a fun place for kids will always frame retro gaming as unprofitable and unfun. They're just greedy, lazy misers that thought this was an easy way to gather up bundled lots of old games for eBay. They get upset like "hey, this is more work than play!.." Yea, I know Wonder Adult...
@@Makeshift_Mulder Pay his bills for him and I'm sure he will run the store for so kids can have fun.
@@Makeshift_Mulder Some peoplpe love the work side and most of the time business owners work a lot harder than employees because they have more skin in the game. They work on average almost double the time as employees in some studies which makes sense. I would argue the hardest part been a business owner is learning to have fun and not let the work load take control of you. You might have a job were you spend 2 hours travelling in your car each day to and back from work. Thats your choice too.
“A bit invasive” the only thing you didn’t ask for was the wife!! 😂
The bottom line is that this business is more nostalgic for the owner than it is profitable. I can say that as someone that owned one of the most popular game stores on the east coast. It’s a great passion business but unless you live in a square state and don’t need to pay $16+ and hour for employees, gas ain’t $4-5 a gallon and normal expenses are slightly below “normal”, then this guy will have his money tied up in his “passion” for years to come.. there’s a reason guys like Kevin Smith own “comic book shops” for fun and nostalgia because at the end of the day they make a pittance in actual Profit and that’s what matters in business.
You want to pay employees a bad wage?
@pandoraboxarcade why you replying from a different account?
The bottom line is people like this are making way more money than you think and these stores are driving the price of gaming up considerably. My shirts from the 80s are nostalgic but I wouldn't charge you £100 for a sleeve. Game stores used to buy some of these games for half a dollar 😂
@@guyjohnson1254 the market is heavily cooling.. yes it’s “nostalgic” but hyper inflation and cost of reality to live will force prices down (as I’ve already seen). I’d say one of the worst offenders or taking this market for a ride to ridiculous prices is the whole stupid “grading market”. Grading is a joke.. it started as a scam between two companies (that were basically the same company) and it’s being continued to this day. I agree that the price of sealed mint condition games should fetch a premium.. but I’ve seen so much nonsense with that and everyone thinks as soon as it’s graded they own a holy grail.. they don’t .. they basically own a plastic brick that will never be played based on “their investment”..lol
I spent years chasing my dream job. At 38 I finally made it. I understand the stress you are under. Over the years my childhood video game collection had to be sold to put food on the table. Your videos are an awesome way to relive the nostalgia of my childhood and share it with my kids.
What I was not aware of was just how many gaming conventions exist here in the states. My wife and I really enjoy seeing the convention videos simply because it’s not just a treasure hunt but it’s fun watching you inch ever closer to that full NES set.
Slowly my collection has been making a return. Your videos inspired me to buy an old game boy, Pokémon blue and Zelda for my daughter. She is hooked.
There is now a plan to make it out to Arkansas.
Keep it up Rick. We need guys like you out there more than you realize.
Honestly, it’s all interesting. I miss more of the old school hunts in the wild but now the stuff kind of comes directly to you so I get it. Getting to watch you figure things out is inspiring as it feels more real life. I think most of us just wish we had a true friend like Rick in our personal lives.
Every time I watch this channel, it's like getting to hang out at a kick-ass games store for a little while.
I wouldn't mind some more cameos from other prominent content creators and maybe a video about all the employees who have been there since day one, covering a bit about their gaming histories and how they ended up working there.
Help your local stores. Most of these videos are faked.
I second that
I know two of them, Will and Christina, were there before Rick took over!
They’re both amazing people!
It's definitely difficult in an industry where the value of items can fluctuate massively without any warning/build up.
Also, glad to see you almost got the neon mcdonalds sign up!
It’s not up yet because there’s issues with the neon.
I love the nostalgia. I'd pay $20 just to wander the store for an hour and be immersed.
I need those 3D layered retro art pieces too.
For me I consider myself a collector of sorts and I always find myself pausing your videos to screencap your arrangements and shelves. I always try to decorate my house like it's a museum and seeing your store gives off a museum vibe
I don’t play video games, collect toys, or even really care about video game culture - I enjoy your videos because they are a positive in nature and make me smile! I want to see you succeed! Keep going 😊
How dare you not care 😉
You sound like a real box of treats, damned stiff
Haha. Well, it’s probably more honest to say I appreciate the gaming culture for its history and art. Sorry for posting an unnecessarily aggressive comment ☺️
Love the content you guys put out! I was able to make a trip to see the store a little over a month ago from Minnesota, and it was surreal actually being inside. If I lived any closer, I'd never have any spare money, because I'd always be in there finding the next thing I need for my collection. You surround yourself with great people and the wholesomeness is palpable in the videos you guys make! Keep up the amazing work!
I never would have thought that a random algorithm UA-cam recommendation video of Rick buying a game store would change my life a year and a half ago and turn me into a retro collector. I give you a big thanks! And my wife would probably give you one of these 😑
Are you collecting for the sake of collecting, or do you actually plan on playing the games you collect?
@@MrFIRESEAL117 I'm specifically only trying to collect the complete 296 N64 game collection and I play every one of them right away
They saw after a year you can tell if a business will be profitable/successful down the line
Gaming or card shops are imo just people “dreams”. But the reality, it’s not a “successful business” for the most part
You doing UA-cam/social media is hands down the only way possible for a legit shop like this to be “successful”
Wish you the best & hope you know you’re doing what so many dream of.
Keep killing it brotha
im from argentine and now live in Barcelona , i love shops, search for something unique for you is special , a collect movies since my 5 years old , now im 42 and i still love this kind of stuff . Keep going . Amazing shop .
Congrats Rick and crew! It has been a blast following the store throughout the whole process here on UA-cam. I am glad you decided to make videos of the journey, and I hope you continue doing it! I wish you guys lots of success for the next year!
It's so awesome to see how you were blessed to open a game store the way you actually envisioned in your heart! Thank you for sharing with us!! Happy and cheering for you and the team!!
You take stress away from life and you guys make me remember my childhood.
Loving the designs on the walls.
As a business owner and boss, you give the people what they want before they even know they want it. :)
There's a bit of psychology involved in displaying product in a retail store. Having worked in grocery, it's the same thing with overstocking less popular items: if a product is flowing off the shelf, no one will buy it. Working back stock, I would often put more items in back stock to make the shelf look more empty just to try and move it. So having a max of 3 items on the shelf is smart retailing.
I’m not a big gamer, but I watch for the nostalgia of 90s and early 2000s. The store is also a museum. I do like the business and entrepreneurial side. Rick and others also have fun and good attitudes.
it’s funny, I drove down from Milwaukee in June of last year and was blown away at the decor, the staff was awesome and real friendly, but I did notice the collection at that time not being as huge and robust as it’s become over these last few months. Not knocking it whatsoever, but I’m glad to see you continually building and shaping your business, thriving. Keep at it, I’ll be back soon!
Retro Rick, its been amazing to see the growth of your business. Although time consuming, the dedication, persistence of keeping it going is awesome!! Keep enjoying the adventure! 👍🏻
I was in the store today, it was fun watching them create content while I was browsing. I’ve been in several times this month and left with some good stuff
Idea: Show us viewers how to:
1. Spot fake games.
2. Inspect games to see whether or not their fake (how to open them safely, etc.).
Congratulations on a full year. May the Lord bless you with many more!
The hidden finances that goes into owning a business the average customer NEVER even thinks about. Kudos for given us the behind the scenes 411 and running a top notch ship
I tune in as just a viewer & not quite a collector yet...but it brings me actual joy just seeing all the nostalgia, games and really just genuine happiness
Hey Rick! Thank you, truly, thank you. Your channel, content, and THE PEOPLE you surround yourself with a wonder to behold. Your commitment to the retro gaming/pop culture space is amazing and I hope to watch for years to come!
I drove over from Oklahoma to come by and check out the store. It was amazing and I loved it. Thank you for having the store and for taking the time to make these videos. I know it's a sacrifice of both time and money. Thank you for everything you do!
Bro I've been watching since you were just a dude hustling goodwill's trying to fill out one wall in your basement with retro stuff. Your passion for that 90's childhood golden era is everything!
Dude I feel like you guys could film anything with no idea in mind and I’d still want to watch I mean this channel has become a comfort channel. Doesn’t matter the specific topic so much, if you post I will watch 😂 wish I could come in and spend all my money. 16 hour drive from Maryland
What else to be where you want to be? Your inventory is crazy, you have almost every gaming system out there. Store looks awesome
I absolutely love the game store videos. This channel has quickly become one of my favorite channels on yt.
Congrats Rick! The store is epic. So many rad signs and banners etc that you've acquired. What's next for the store? Maybe one day changing the carpet to an arcade style carpet that glows in the dark? Maybe having a NES/SNES etc gaming tournament? Not that there's room to do that.
i have been following you since May 2020 because i love to see old things and also born the 1990s(1991)
Your brand is also money as well. Every time I watch a video of yours, that wall just pops and really helps establish your brand and gives it character. You have your finger on the pulse though with retro games and your passion shows through. Keep up the good work Rick and you will get past the growing pains in no time.
I'm so glad Rick discussed YT, Family main job etc. it's so hard I see my hubby balance it all❤
I miss living 1 minute away from this store. I spent so long trying to move away from Central Arkansas that I didn't realize it was a pretty good spot for retro game hunting.
I hit my 1-year of being open on the 13th. It's been eye opening to how much is involved, but it's been great! Everyone asks me what it's like owning a game store and I always have the same response..."I've never been more stressed, but it's my stress and I love it!" GGs and GL going forward!
I love watching every UA-cam episode! I used to work at children’s palace back in 1988 and the day before Christmas I bought the last Nintendo they had in stock took it home with a Zelda game and my dad was addicted. He even drew his own maps for the game.
I share your awesome show to my daughters who one of them was transferred to Arkansas for work, not to far from you. I plan on visiting my 34 y/o soon but I mainly want to visit your store! I may be an old hag but I want to start collecting consoles. I miss playing video games. I just wish I collected them from when I used to work at children’s palace, Kay Bee toys & hyper mart (Walmart super center) toy department. When I worked at hyper mart that was when teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles came out. Another thing I should have collected 🤦♀️
As someone who’s just now getting into collecting vintage everything, & just now seeing your channel. ID LOVE to see what every day people buy… Wii remotes, old PlayStations. Those purchases show us (me) how the market is doing, what others are interested in and what might be out there that I’m unaware of that others know
I love seeing what come in the store and the wacky interactions of Rick and the employees.
Dude! I remember going in this store all the time when my ex and I would visit her parents in Conway. It was usually like a few times a year throughout 2012 to 2017. So cool to see it again! I hope nothing but the best for you brother. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
I personally tune in to watch the journey and stories of trades but most of all I truly enjoy the personal relationship that you develop with people who have the same passion of all things retro. As a game collector I never truly understood what it felt like hunting for your passion until i started watching your channel.
Seeing the progression from starting out at when I joined up which was like between 500-1000 followers has been absolutely amazing and astonishing. I own my own wine & liquor store so I completely understand the owning of a business aspect for sure. Keep up the good work my friend and don't ever lose that positivity. I do miss you hunting in the wild some times for toys probably the one thing I truly miss now that you probably just don't have the time.
I like watching your videos because I like to see how the experience it is like to run game store and see all the cool things that come through your game store
I've been watching your videos and yes, many times i have said, "He's overpaying for this," or, "he has too much inventory now, he needs to slow down." But, hope it sitll works out and you're learning how to run the business and making some very cool content
I just wanted to take a moment to say how amazing your video was! I was really impressed with the quality of the footage, the editing, and the overall presentation. You did a great job of explaining the topic in a clear and concise way, and I learned a lot from watching your video.
I also really appreciated the way you made the video engaging and entertaining. You kept my attention throughout the entire video, and I never felt bored or lost. I would definitely recommend your video to anyone who is interested in learning more about the video.
Great work and it’s a lot of hard work. But will all due respect, please appreciate all the people off camera that help you stay in business. Much love ❤️. We love you Rick!
I'm hooked, man! All the little new additions you place every now and then make me want to come back to your channel even more. Think about it; just because of that, you can stay comfy in your store and create good content. #NostalgiaRetention keep up !
i hope you never stop making videos. been a fan since before the 10 dollar game collection. I hope to see the store in person someday.
I love the number talk. More of that would be interesting. Great entertaining videos.
it's so fun being along for the ride Rick!
It’s crazy, I think i first subbed to this channel very shortly after you first bought the store. It’s wild to think it’s already been a year. But from an outside perspective you guys have done an excellent job building up the shop and the channel. Your right hand man is a very good employee too. Make sure you take good care of him. Have a great year 2 guys.
Dang 1.3 years....feels like just recently you bought the store. Time fly's
I enjoy the numbers and daily sales side of the store. Behind the curtain of a retro business seems entertaining. You seem to have a good heart and enjoy watching your journey Rick! Hang in there
I have been following Rick since he lived in his last house. I do not game, collect or resell but I just love his content!
I've been a follower for awhile now and want to say congratulations on the year anniversary. What I have enjoyed seeing the past year has been your transition as a businessman and your personal growth. I've noticed, alot lately, your kindness and generosity in recent videos. Just wanted to drop some positivity and say I'm proud of you and keep up the great content.
I don't know how you do it Rick! There's just not enough time in the day and you got a lot going on! Your brain must be continuously buzzing.
I work my day job, renovate on weekends while trying to make raising my new son top priority and struggle to find time for hobbies and theres plenty of other things i should be finding time for too.
At least when I need to I have the luxury to take the weekend off to recoup.
I can't imagine the extra stress of having employees and game store bills to pay.
I hope you've found a good way to unload mentally and switch off when you need whether it be keeping family and friends up to date with how your going or keeping a last thoughts of the day journal so you can switch off when you do get home to the family.
Love the content from both your channels. I find enough time here and there to watch those 😅
Congrats on the anniversary, Rick! Who cares if you didn't actually START the store, what you've done for it SINCE essentially taking it over is nothing less than awesome and impressive. You should be proud! You're basically getting to live one of my greatest childhood dreams.
I won't lie, more than once in my life I've thought about packing up and moving to a big city and opening my own game shop. Video games are such a huge passion in my life, and I'm so glad retro gaming especially has been sky rocketing in popularity. Especially for collecting. Half if not most of the fun of my own journey through the gaming life is hunting for the retro stuff I loved as a 90's kid like you guys are on youtube.
Thanks, Rick. Guys like you and Riff keep inspiring me to keep on going, both with life and collecting and more importantly and above all else, to follow passions. It really makes life fulfilling and worthwhile.
I wish we had a store simular to yours over here in the UK.
I started watching your content in 2023, keep the vids coming, i'm absolutely loving them!
i love seeing the business aspect and the numbers of what’s it actually like owning a store as i know it’s also many peoples dream too. I also love just seeing the current state of the market what’s hot and not to help with hunting myself. As well as seeing things i never even knew existed
I found your channel when RGT sold his stuff to Phoenix resale (not subscribed to his channel )and some random vid popped of him and your new store. Instantly followed. I was born in 85 and all of your vids hit that nostalgia button. I live in Fort Worth and plan on making a visit with my wife and baby. I would recommend going old school and having those old blockbuster gaming tournaments on consoles. Have people pay entry fees and would be great content. Keep it up guys. Love the channel
just a suggestion: you could paint the wood holding the McDonald's sign red to match the normal sign you see. Or paint it white to match the wall/its just wood so no harm done.
Its nice to see this happen.
I live in Canada and people here HATE everything independent. Its just Costco Wal mart and Starbucks here.
Small shops have tried to do things but they just get ran out of town or people just cry that they wont sell at a loss because they saw something sell cheap online.
Love the candidness of this video and not hiding the $$ investment something like this takes. Maintaining inventory has to be the hardest thing for a video game store to keep customers happy!
your store rocks and it holds one of the most important roles in the community ever. it a wayback machine for those who not only love but need to preserve history. many of the merch you sell are things that won't exist anymore in the near future. we need to not only save them but also introduce it to the people of today and tomorrow.
It would've been interesting to hear how much the store has made after that big of an investment!
$100
Sounds like an irs agent to me
Being the internet, no matter the answer people wouldnt be happy. If there was good profit, people would complain that he changes too much or doesnt pay enough for trade ins. Doesnt make enough or much, people would complain hes no good or doesnt know how to run a company.
If he continues to run it we'll know that it's profitable. What did he do before?
You're doing us 90s kids all a great service. The nostalgia brings back positive vibes IDC who you are. Everybody brings back good memories from this stuff and you guys make it dare I say better because all the retro stuff has aged like a fine wine. The appreciation for the old school games and the toys too is at an all time high in my opinion. Definitely would love to see more of the business aspect with pricing and sales but I also think that seeing your personal collection and getting updates on that would be great. Please keep doing what you're doing. I consider you a hero because of what some of us are dealing with in life, this channel provides a serene and much needed nostalgic escape from the big world.
Retro "Risky" Rick strikes again! Him and his crew. Congrats and thank you!
It's been amazing to be with you on this journey! Here is to year two!
Congrats on the 1 year anniversary of owning the store. Been loving the videos and all the changes you've made makes me hope I'm able to get there someday
A brick and mortar business seems like a lot of stress. I kind of like working on online side gigs in my own time because if it gets too much, I can just leave it. Hopefully when you set it up more you can get some more time for yourself and your family.
Shop looks great!!! Keep it up guys!!! I'm a firm believer in the message from the great movie Field of Dreams... "Build it, and they will come".
We opened our Arcade around the same time you opened. The reactions of our customers is the best. Selling nostalgia is fun.
I’d love to see more of the business side of things in the future. Love the content though. So cool to watch someone follow their passion and build a business. Keep on keepin on.
🎉 Congrats for hitting 1 year. Love this video and all the videos for both this channel and your OG channel. Every decision to upgrade the store has been spot on. I love the honest reflection and commentary about owning a store. I live all the way in Vancouver Canada and I can’t wait to travel down to see your store. You’re 100% spot on in making the store an experience of nostalgia while balancing it with gaming, cards and toys. Retro Rick’s is a brand and your energy and approach to gaming is what makes your content so successful. Also adding a strong team around you is huge and the family atmosphere make it family friendly.
My favourite addition was the huge mural in the front with the branding of retro Rick’s. secondly would be the middle zone as it makes the store seem more Alive. Adding Pokémon cards is huge as well. Overall, highlighting the 90’s is the perfect niche which is why retro ricks will become a destination for years to come.
My only suggestion is maybe to make a video of building up game collections via trades and then auctioning them off or having them as part of a prize package. Much like what you did in your original channel as it was tons of fun to see it build up from very little money.
Anyways keep up the great work !
We all love you Rick! Wish you and your family the best success! The entire journey is so incredibly amazing.
I'm interested in seeing more numbers, sales, and profit data. Love that kind of stuff. Congrats on 1 year!
😊IDEA😊. Since your walls are designed with those horizontal shelf holder cutouts, plant one whole wall as a screenshot from your favorite game. 8bit 16bit. And those shelving cutouts scan be acting as scan lines from an old CRT TV. maybe draw more lines across to add more of the TV effect. Painting a wall could help with some background shelving so it pops out more. It could be dope. I’d love to make it happen, I have a 4k projector so stencling and painting would be a SNAP!😊
I'm not really into retro gaming so to speak but this is just a really positive vibes channel which I appreciate, and l will always support people who work hard and accomplish their goals! Much respect.
Congratulations Rick. I like your passion for video gaming & the nostalgia of it. I tune in because it’s so exciting to see your finds & talking about it.
I'd love to visit your shop! I've worked in a lot of shops and what you really do super well is making the visit a unique experience for your customers. That is (and of course you and your employees) the most important thing to make sure that customers will come back. I live far away but I really would love to see the store with my own eyes. Keep up the good work!
Great video, guys. Talk about the business more, specifically some details about the numbers. If you don't want to divulge such details for competition reasons I totally understand. I hope you guys do great.
It's been awesome following along with you! It's like we all get to open a game store.
That is the most southern engineering intro possible. Using sketch ladders and ropes instead a scissor lift, not trying turning on the sign before you hang it, and electrocution. I love it.
i love watching your videos because i wish i was able to actually walk through those doors myself and see it in person . so keep those videos coming !
Not gonna lie…I’m basically just here living vicariously thru all of your experiences. Thanks for the content 👌🏼
If I lived anywhere near I'd drop by! I'd end up getting more games than I could find time to play! A store like that just has a hypnotic effect!
It was cool to meet and speak with you guys.
I’m living vicariously through you because ur living my dream so keep posting
glad to have watched the journey start all the way back when the $10 gaming collection started (and even before that!). congrats on all of the success.
Your dad and your son picking through your stash. Bellissimo
with the push to get rid of physical media we need stores like this more then ever.
Definitely love BOTH channels!! They are different yet cohesive!
I found this channel right as you bought the store and it has been a blast to watch it and your channel grow. I can't wait to someday make it to the store and buy something awesome!
It's kind of crazy that you can look this up on Google Maps and see the old storefront still and allot of pics from the old look
I have really enjoyed the business aspect of these videos. Hearing your thoughts on what to change and why, stories about the day to day, that video where you are planning what to do with the storage units; I really enjoy learning something new :)