Opened a video game store(image heavy)

SavePointVG

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Located in Charlotte NC across from UNCC. Carrying old and new with frequent tournies, arcade games, new releases, dvds etc etc.
Had an online store for a year or so and it was very successful- enough so that I could have a brick and mortar. Here are some pics - lots to be done still but Im getting there.
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ive had the doors open a few days while we wait for the phone and internet to be installed and we stay busy already!
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haha well its not much of a story. I had a romstar g&g kit that was in very rough shape on the inside as far as monitor burn and board issues and a few other issues. Since it wasnt dedicated I didnt feel guilty parting out the rest of it that was salvagable. Inspired by famous starwars chair I decided to at least have ghost n goblins there is spirit.

Also I should note a good bit of my furniture came from a playntrade that closed down a while back incase anything looked familiar in the store.
 
Very cool! Lets hear the story of the Pacman (Ghost & Goblins) chair!

hahahahaa. Oh Tom.

Nice setup. Although, I want to slap you for not stacking the SNES carts with their labels vertically. I hate going into a place and having to flip thru the carts just to find the one I want, when they clearly can be read from their tops. ;)
 
Dude that store is super cool. I love it. Just an FYI, get in touch with your local distributor and carry Magic cards. It's low-hanging fruit and it's like printing money, very easy to sell, and 50% margins. I kid you not. The in-store play space requirements are fairly rudimentary and it helps you bring customers in and you monetize that with your arcade games and concessions as well. The distributors in your area are GTS Distribution, Southern Hobby, Peachstate Hobby Distribution, and I thiiiiink ACD Distribution has a warehouse not too far away but they require volume for better pricing (but are awesome otherwise and offer terms). Avoid Diamond-Alliance distribution as they are truly difficult to deal with and are more comic-industry-oriented. GTS and Southern have been really good to us and PHD has had some key SKUs in a pinch. (My store is Desert Sky Games in Gilbert, Arizona).
 
If I was you, I would cover those blue walls with printed marquees of classic titles; or how about reprints of old game ads? Stuff like promo flyers and whats not, you can find them online, ready to print in high quality format.

Gamers would love to see that.

Also the arcade area should have some sort of led lights going on, something that would look very arcadey. I think I would place the pacman chair somewhere else, not with the working games. Put a sign on it saying "As seen on the internet, the fablet, mythical Pac-Man Chair, a one of a kind item!"

Also, try to buy those reproduction Nintendo, SEGA, etc Neon Signs, or maybe even your distributor can hook you up with old promo stuff they have laying around.
 
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Ha Ha.. I was thinking the same thing!!

Other then that it looks terrific! It looks like a decent mix of generations, and then some vids for fun. Good luck! If I ever get down to chlt, I'll stop by!

Andrew
 
Great store! I like seeing arcades in stores like this now. There's a game store near me in Littleton, CO called "Black Knight Games" that is part used video games, part hobby store (Magic/Warhammer/etc), and they have have five or six arcade games. I usually spend $3-$5 just in the arcades whenever I stop by in addition to any purchases I make. It helps they have Tempest and Omega Race to relieve me of my money...but it's a nice little row of games overall.

Good luck!
 
Love the 6 player xmen cab. Store looks spaced out well too. I been in too many where I could not move around without bumping into people and racks. Best of luck to you. Also love the name!
 
Thanks for the support everyone. There is 1 gamestop in the area but we crush their trade rate (60%) and undercut all their prices on anything they carry. Its been pretty busy here considering! Im excited for our first tourny in 2 weeks
 
Very cool.

Been following the progress thread on NA too

First thing I thought when I saw that G&G chair was "HOLY CRAP! ANOTHER ONE"
 
Dude that store is super cool. I love it. Just an FYI, get in touch with your local distributor and carry Magic cards. It's low-hanging fruit and it's like printing money, very easy to sell, and 50% margins. I kid you not. The in-store play space requirements are fairly rudimentary and it helps you bring customers in and you monetize that with your arcade games and concessions as well.

I agree with this. There is a STRONG tie between Magic: The Gathering players (a game that is approaching 20 years strong!!) and arcade/pinball love. Our stores back when I was in college always had a couple arcades/pins on hand and they got extremely heavy play between casual and tournament games. Vice-versa, bringing in a few tables will draw a huge benefit to your store and like Mike said, the cost of M:TG booster packs vs. retail allows for a significant profit margin.

Evan
 
Magic cards will certainly make it to the store in the next week or so. There have been af ew customers asking for boosters and cases so I dont see why not. I probably wont get into individual card sales since I know nothing about the market but I agree that they go hand in hand.
 
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