Opening a Game Store UPDATE!

[DeputyMoniker]

...my last day is September 9th (how's that, Dreamcast fans?)...

Was the dreamcast released or did they release a popular game on that day?
I thought that day was only known for the PS1.
(e):NOS Lives!

[Mayhem]

Yep 9/9/99 is when the Dreamcast was released.

[DeputyMoniker]

Yep 9/9/99 is when the Dreamcast was released.

LOL
Man, that's messed up.

[brykasch]

and also the ps1 was 9/5/95:)

So many ads for that.... (but not a damn one for the saturn *grumble*)

[Vectorman0]

Good luck with everything. I can't wait to stop by once it is up an running. I do have one question. Did you plan on having an online and/or ebay part of the store as well? Not just a website, but a store outside of the store.

[rbudrick]

Congrats, Joe!!

Glad to hear you found the perfect place. You've got huge balls for taking the steps you have. My hat is off to you! I can't wait to hear how your business turns out. I know you won't fail...you're way too smart for that.

-Rob

[sniperCCJVQ]

Wow!

Did him late for reading that topic ! wow @_@

I wish the best of success to Joe. Some people said that leaving a steady job is not always the best thing to do.

But the way Joe manage to get the succes with CGE and Digital Press (website and guide), I have no doubt in mind that he knows where is going to make this project a reality.

[digitalpress]

Here's another update!

The store is officially a GO. I have a location! Mentioned in my previous post, the inside inspection of the store made it even better, the place has a huge basement with heavy duty steel shelving, more storage area than I could have imagined. This plus OVER 2000 square feet... what a GREAT location (see last update for more details on why that is so)!

The lease is being written now, if things go the way they should I'll be starting the fix-up and move in within two weeks.

The address is 387 Piaget Ave, Clifton, NJ. You'll see that this is actually NJ Route 46. The Piaget thing threw me too but it's one of those highways that also has a name through certain stretches.

I have SO much to do now. My last day at my current job is Friday, immediately after which everything will change drastically for me. This is going to be one KICK ASS store.

Thanks for the well wishes and I'll try to remember to grab my camera when I go back to do some measuring this weekend.

[DeputyMoniker]

Here's another update!

The store is officially a GO. I have a location! Mentioned in my previous post, the inside inspection of the store made it even better, the place has a huge basement with heavy duty steel shelving, more storage area than I could have imagined. This plus OVER 2000 square feet... what a GREAT location (see last update for more details on why that is so)!

The lease is being written now, if things go the way they should I'll be starting the fix-up and move in within two weeks.

The address is 387 Piaget Ave, Clifton, NJ. You'll see that this is actually NJ Route 46. The Piaget thing threw me too but it's one of those highways that also has a name through certain stretches.

I have SO much to do now. My last day at my current job is Friday, immediately after which everything will change drastically for me. This is going to be one KICK ASS store.

Thanks for the well wishes and I'll try to remember to grab my camera when I go back to do some measuring this weekend.

Congrats! Thats so awesome! Man...Joe's livin' the dream!

[K3V]

Congrats Joe! Looking forward to the pics.

[portnoyd]

The address is 387 Piaget Ave, Clifton, NJ. You'll see that this is actually NJ Route 46. The Piaget thing threw me too but it's one of those highways that also has a name through certain stretches.

Where Outer Limits was?

[wberdan]

congratulations joe,
i also own my own business (although not videogame related), and it has its swings.
you definetely need to ride it out for a while- the first year or so can be hard, but you are an excellent people person- so you should do quite well.
just be yourself, offer great service, and you should do great.
its better to be down some money every year and happy than to work a job you dont love

congratulations again


willie

[alec006]

Heres a Google Earth Views of were it is.

http://img144.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gamecenter9sz.jpg

http://img383.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gamecenter25fr.jpg

[portnoyd]

Yep, it's building where Outer Limits was. A worthy replacement the DP store is.

[MrRoboto19XX]

Conrats man, this is great stuff!

Screw you gas prices, Im going to New Jersey!


Best of luck, I know Ill be stopping by.

[Lothars]

awesome, congratulations Joe :)

I now definitly have to make a trip to NJ

It would be a long drive but definitly gonna count on me stopping by

Thanks for the continous updates Joe

Im so excited for you :)

[Nesmaster]

finally up and running hey?

congratulations ;)

if i could stop by and visit i would. Who knows, maybe one day :)

[FantasiaWHT]

Congrats on the location!

Piaget... so you gonna be studying the effect video games have on child development?

[calthaer]

Make a sticky announcement and let us know when we can divert all our gaming purchasing dollars to your store (new games being sold there, too?) - if you'd take orders over the internet? I'd rather buy from digitpress.com than amazon.com, gamestop.com, or anyplace else - even if it costs an extra few bucks per game.

P.S. - will you carry imported Nintendo DSes, or should I just buckle down and get a black one from Lik-sang?

[Lady Jaye]

Congrats, Joe! I'm glad to hear that the store is a-go! And wow, quitting a steady job after 20 years... I can imagine that in a way it was a tough decision to make (but I'm sure you will be very happy with your business and that it will thrive).

[digitalpress]

P.S. - will you carry imported Nintendo DSes, or should I just buckle down and get a black one from Lik-sang?

I do plan on carrying imports but I need to establish a supplier in that area first. I'll keep you posted.

[DeputyMoniker]

if i could stop by and visit i would. Who knows, maybe one day :)

I say that'll be a good time to try my first cross-country motorcycle trip. Load up with goods from Joes shop while I'm there and ship the retro goodness home.

[buttasuperb]

Cool.

87% off for DP regulars right?

[DreamTR]

Joe, let everyone know when your grand opening is!!!!!!

I will make plans to come down and open my wallet your way, and take a drive around New Jersey!

[NintendoMan]

Cool.

87% off for DP regulars right?

Hey yeah, that's a great idea! LOL

But congrats Joe, are you nervous, anxious, or anything like that about quiting your current job?

[FantasiaWHT]

Are you doing any internet ordering? I doubt I can drive to NJ heh

[digitalpress]

Cool.

87% off for DP regulars right?

Hey yeah, that's a great idea! LOL

But congrats Joe, are you nervous, anxious, or anything like that about quiting your current job?

Thanks and no, not nervous at all. This is something I've wanted to do for a long time. I will miss a lot of the people I currently work with but after 20 years I'm used to seeing 'em go and I'm close enough where they can always stop in to say HI. I've got a good financial cushion as well. It's really now or never so I exit the old and enter the new with exuberance and energy and no chance of looking back.

[NintendoMan]

Cool.

87% off for DP regulars right?

Hey yeah, that's a great idea! LOL

But congrats Joe, are you nervous, anxious, or anything like that about quiting your current job?

Thanks and no, not nervous at all. This is something I've wanted to do for a long time. I will miss a lot of the people I currently work with but after 20 years I'm used to seeing 'em go and I'm close enough where they can always stop in to say HI. I've got a good financial cushion as well. It's really now or never so I exit the old and enter the new with exuberance and energy and no chance of looking back.

Well that's good to hear then, good luck and congrats!!!!!!!!

[NoahsMyBro]

Here's a possibly stupid question - is there now an opening at your old company? Perhaps an opportunity there could be posted to job listings being shown to displaced Katrina refugees?

[Trade-N-Games]

Hi Joe it Jason from Trade-N-Games. We have only talked to each other a few times.
My advice is simple for a long term successful business.
Build a business that works for you. Dont build a business that you have to work for.
Dont create a new job for yourself.
You have a paycheck right now for xxx amount of work. If you have to work 10 times harder for the same amount of money or the scary part even less money then all you have done is get a new job working for your store so now you still have to work plus you have to run a business.
Starting out it will take time and lots of hours but spend the money on 1 or 2 employees just a few hours a week for them so you have the chance to step out and your business will still be able to make some money. If customers get used to only dealing with you then if your gone what happens "Nothing".
Good luck and call if you ever need help

[digitalpress]

Here's a possibly stupid question - is there now an opening at your old company? Perhaps an opportunity there could be posted to job listings being shown to displaced Katrina refugees?

I know they're going to promote from within but that still means somewhere on the ladder there's an open "rung". I'll bring this up with HR when I meet with them tomorrow. Thanks for the suggestion!

[roxybaby]

Awesome news! I'm glad it's a go. If you need help painting, setting up, etc., you know where to find me.

[punkoffgirl]

Happy last day of work, Mister Santulli! I'm so happy for you, not only that you were/are able to do this, but also that you made up your mind to take the plunge. Best of luck!

[s1lence]

Happy last day of working for the man and once again congrats on the store and the chance to be the man.

[ice1605]

And just to give you a little more confidence in your decision. There is a small chain around here that pisses on their competition (they even put a GameStop locale out of business). They seem to do it by making the prices very low (obvious) but when you trade in something the cash they offer is low, but the trade in value is decent. Which insures people trade in their games as opposed to you buying them from them. Which means your stock is always turning over, which means people like me stop in and buy somehting on almost a daily basis since there is always something new.

I can't wait till I am 16 so I can apply for a job at Trading Zone (an awesome video-game store, and is that the one that you were talking about? I live in Ohio, too.)
Best of luck, Joe.

[digitalpress]

Quick update.

My last day on "the old job" was Friday... the lawyers on both sides are currently working through the terms of the lease (which hopefully don't change as they work out great for me on many levels). If things go as they should I'll have the key to the store by next weekend!

In the meantime I've been building up inventory and researching items I'll need (storefront awning, shelving, disc resurfacing machine, etc). I also need to get a pickup truck sometime this week, my Firebird isn't going to be a practical approach to my new business :)

More updates as they happen.

[THATinkjar]

In the meantime I've been building up inventory and researching items I'll need

You'll need business cards with a link to this forum :)

[Muscelli]

I have a bunch of dreamcast games lying around if ur interested in any cheap stock :-P

Make sure u get some real good security, too.. Stealers suck

[SlayerOfFurbies]

Finally a good reason to visit new jersey :evil:

are there any good camping areas/state parks in the area?

[digitalpress]

Finally a good reason to visit new jersey :evil:

are there any good camping areas/state parks in the area?

Not sure about that, but the address is 387 Piaget Ave, Clifton, NJ so let mapquest or maps.google be your guide.

[captain nintendo]

Finally a good reason to visit new jersey :evil:

are there any good camping areas/state parks in the area?

Not sure about that, but the address is 387 Piaget Ave, Clifton, NJ so let mapquest or maps.google be your guide.

Cool ! If I am ever out that way I will have to drop by. :)
I havent read the whole thread :embarrassed: But are you going to be selling DP shwag there ?

And what is the name of the shop ?


Again Joe...... Best of luck to you :)

[digitalpress]

Cool ! If I am ever out that way I will have to drop by. :)
I havent read the whole thread :embarrassed: But are you going to be selling DP shwag there ?

And what is the name of the shop ?

Shwag: check. This is a great place to put out all of the past issues of DP, our books, shirts, CD's, etc.

And...

Digital Press will be in the store's name. I've got "Digital Press Videogames" on my mind right now. The Digital Press part would be small or the same size as "Videogames"... I want the "Videogames" to be the first thing you see.

As soon as I move in I'll be in touch with storefront awning contractors and I've already got the OK from our resident artist Dave Giarrusso to design the store's sign.

It's gonna be great.

[rolenta]

the address is 387 Piaget Ave, Clifton, NJ

That's right on my way home from work. I guess I'll be stopping by a lot (especially to avoid the Parkway traffic :) )

[LiquidPolicenaut]

Congrats DigitalPress Joe! I myself also plan on opening a video game store/museum within the next year either in Las Vegas or here in NYC. I'd love to come and see your store, but you're all the way in Clifton and my lazy, big ass says its too much of a chore to get there from Queens in NYC lol. I picture your store and hope it's kinda reminiscent of the old Die Hard Gamer stores. Perhaps I may come by and see it just to support you....and of course to actually BUY something and REALLY help support you! :) My respect goes out to you to to pening an actual GOOD gaming store, unlike the Best Buys, EBGames and others of the world. Just make sure to hire people who actually KNOW about video games! LOL My one thing I definitely plan on implementing when I open up my shop will be sort of a small "gaming knowledge" test as part of the job application. I want my people to know and actually play games, not some typical worker drone trying to sell me exetended warranties! Once again, congrats on it all and I look forward to more updates and your eventual grand opening. Cheers!!


P.S. - I never did thank you for that damn Colors Of Modern Rock I bought from you a month ago! Thanks! LOL

[digitalpress]

If anyone is interested in dong this kind of thing and interested in how much the retail space costs, I've documented my findings in my blog entry, here:

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/weblog_entry.php?e=1085

[FantasiaWHT]

Digital Press Videogames is cool :)

Just don't get lazy and shorten it to DP Games, or you might have the hard of hearing quite confused.

[rbudrick]

I picture your store and hope it's kinda reminiscent of the old Die Hard Gamer stores.

I owe you a beer, LP.

(thinking of warm fuzzy memories of DH Gamer)

-Rob

[chrisbid]

And just to give you a little more confidence in your decision. There is a small chain around here that pisses on their competition (they even put a GameStop locale out of business). They seem to do it by making the prices very low (obvious) but when you trade in something the cash they offer is low, but the trade in value is decent. Which insures people trade in their games as opposed to you buying them from them. Which means your stock is always turning over, which means people like me stop in and buy somehting on almost a daily basis since there is always something new.

I can't wait till I am 16 so I can apply for a job at Trading Zone (an awesome video-game store, and is that the one that you were talking about? I live in Ohio, too.)
Best of luck, Joe.


if by awesome you mean "we charge way too much on old games, and we will not sell you that box or instructions you are holding for the genesis game you want to purchase", then i suppose trading zone is awesome :/

[digitalpress]

Quick update.

I signed the lease today. I have FREE rent until December 1st, part of the back-and-forth haggling that's been going on, this one in my favor.

Now I've got keys. Ho Ho Ho.

To be continued!

[TEND]

Awesome, do you have an idea of when you plan to open?

[wufners]

BTW, digitalpressvideogames.com doesn't appear to be registered. Might not be a bad idea to snag that up and set up an online space for your store or at the very least use it to redirect folks back here. Afterall--I'm sure you're in need of more stuff to spend money and time on right now, right? ;)

[EricRyan34]

Wow I cant wait to open up a store of my own, thats what I am in school for right now, Business Management

[digitalpress]

BTW, digitalpressvideogames.com doesn't appear to be registered. Might not be a bad idea to snag that up and set up an online space for your store or at the very least use it to redirect folks back here. Afterall--I'm sure you're in need of more stuff to spend money and time on right now, right? ;)

That's a great idea. Thanks for bringing it up!

[Darren870]

Wow its only about an hour from my house.

If you ever needed any help setting up during my off season (dec 15-jan15) or during the summer. Id love to come down a day or two and help (for no charge of course). Even if that includes breaking my back carrying shelves up and down stairs.

I've been with EB for going on 4 years now and its just not fun anymore.

Oh well LMK

_darren

[The_Kodiak65]

Hmmm.... I will definatly make a stop once.....
it's a little far for me, but i think...wait , i KNOW that a trip to your store would be worth it!!

good luck!!


hmm....whats a good idea for a game store....?

play various game related songs and themes through the stereo...thats always good

other than that, i cant think of anything else

[Gamereviewgod]

I'd definitely recommened Home Media Retailing. Nice inside info. It's a free sub. It definitely focuses on movie more than games, but there should still be info you need in there. Worst case is they don't have what you want and you can pitch it, but considering the price, it can't hurt.

www.homemediaretailing.com

(subscribe at the bottom)

I'd reccomened Game Week too, but they seem to be no more. They were great with projected sales and such.

[poopnes]

I had a dream I was in New Jersey and I found your shop. It was still empty. I wanted to check it out. So I broke in. I think my gf and brother was with me. And there was this upstairs and it was setup like there was an apartment. While we were snooping around upstairs you (Joe) and some friends came in. We were busted. I went downstairs and you were like "What the hell are you doing in here?" I tried to explain that I heard about your store and I wanted to check it out and that I visit your website everyday and blah blah. But you just wouldn't have it. You were furious and rightfully so. And then I woke up. I don't know what you were going to do. True story.

PS. I live in Missouri and never would do such a thing. But if I ever am in the area I will have to stop by and buy something.

PSS. I have no clue why I even dreamed that.

[Moose]

Joe,
This may sound funny, but would you consider franchising out? A space has opened up near where I live and it is right outside the front gate of a NAVY Base. I can say from years experience that NAVY guys spend tons on VGs. I have been dying to get out of my job and open a store of my own right near the base.
I would love to talk with you sometime about the kinds of costs it takes to open a store and even how to get in touch with the corporate distributers.

[Daft Punk]

I'd definitely recommened Home Media Retailing. Nice inside info. It's a free sub. It definitely focuses on movie more than games, but there should still be info you need in there. Worst case is they don't have what you want and you can pitch it, but considering the price, it can't hurt.

www.homemediaretailing.com

(subscribe at the bottom)

I'd reccomened Game Week too, but they seem to be no more. They were great with projected sales and such.


I agree on this, I have been getting this for months and it has alot of great info . They also send out a dvd every month or so .

[digitalpress]

Joe,
This may sound funny, but would you consider franchising out? A space has opened up near where I live and it is right outside the front gate of a NAVY Base. I can say from years experience that NAVY guys spend tons on VGs. I have been dying to get out of my job and open a store of my own right near the base.
I would love to talk with you sometime about the kinds of costs it takes to open a store and even how to get in touch with the corporate distributers.

I'm not in a position to offer franchises just yet, I'm still about two months away from opening the first store!

You can find some info on costs, at least retail space, in my blog: http://www.digitpress.com/forum/weblog.php?w=1

UPDATE: NEW PHOTOS FROM MOVE-IN DAY:
http://www.digitpress.com/images/store

[Yago]

Very exciting photos. Hope all goes smooth. Don't forget "finished" photos as well. The inside of that store is unique. Very nice size and room to walk around.

[dave2236]

HA, I should have know Chris and Nick would sneak in early. lol

Good luck Joe, If you need any more questions answered let me know.

Also we gave Nick some of our books and catalogs for displays and equipment when he was here. I don't know if he brought those along and showed them to you, but there is some good deals on generic signage and display racks.

But I think its great you got all the shelving with the store, that saved you a ton of cash.

Dave

[lendelin]

UPDATE: NEW PHOTOS FROM MOVE-IN DAY:
http://www.digitpress.com/images/store

It looks already very nice and tempting; you'll see, it will be a success!

The arcade cabinets are a good idea!

[Bluteg]

Good luck Joe!

As an owner of an Ebay store, and a buisness major in college your living my dream, so rock on bro and good luck. SNES is a HOT market right now with an excellent resale market much higher than even N64... keep that in mind. Genesis and NES are slow markets. NES is a hot market too, but only for about 5-10% of the US titles (that is the purpose of conslusion into the slow market cat.), with many NES titles that will not sell for $1. Anyway currently I would say the 3 consoles with the highest profit margin (I'm talking buying lots and selling individually on a retail scale) would be TG, SNES and Saturn. Unfortantly the Saturn and TG are NOW consider moderately obscure so they might not be the best to sell in a storefront retail market, as many do not have consoles to support the games. Anyway with SNES you can't go wrong... the console has went through the test of time and yet the majority of non-sports titles still demand $5ish, which is a great amount to develope a good purchase to profit margin.

[syd]

That place looks great! I hope you do have an internet front for the store, because I would definitely check it out. As for what to have in the store, I would recommend a little bit of everything sales wise. A couple arcade machines would be cool to get some people in the store and keep them there. Perhaps some public internet access. These ideas have probably already been posted though, I wasn't in the mood to read through all 12 pages. LOL

Good luck with everything!

[kainemaxwell]

Those pics are looking great as is the store!

[Qixmaster]

Excellent looking store Joe... I can't wait to see the final product. Maybe one day i will venture to the east coast from oregon to check it out.

Good luck with the rest!

-Josh

[ianoid]

I can say from years experience that NAVY guys spend tons on VGs. I have been dying to get out of my job and open a store of my own right near the base.
<<snip>> even how to get in touch with the corporate distributers.

Apparently, the new product is among the hardest to profit from as a mom and pop store. The profit margins for new games are 5%-20% when they first come out. It's pretty tough considering the volume of games that come out, and the wholesale prices on release week. It's a true guessing game. And you can't just send them back when they don't sell. You don't get volume discounts or have serious clout as a mom and pop like the big chains.

If your servicemen are into used goods and old games, you may have your pot of gold yet.

[digitalpress]

I think I'm going to be good at the "guessing game" (and you're right, Ian... everyone I know who's ever owned a 'mom and pop' say the same). I guess we'll see just how good I am at it soon enough :)

PS I ordered new carpeting today. It's a deep red with specks of gray and black (which you can only really see up close). Measurements on Friday, installation by the end of October. The "website in 3D" is one step closer to reality.

[Keir]

Looking great!

Have you considered any commissioning type of arrangements? Since you know lots of collectors in your area, maybe they would be interested in selling stuff through your store, with you taking a % of the sale price. Just a thought.

[digitalpress]

Looking great!

Have you considered any commissioning type of arrangements? Since you know lots of collectors in your area, maybe they would be interested in selling stuff through your store, with you taking a % of the sale price. Just a thought.

You mean like consignment?

I've got this going for a few people already and welcome more. I'm selling some of Joe Cody's games through the store and will likely sell some of Dan Loosen's Dreamcast homebrews as well. I still need to get in touch with Jarett at Packrat as well.

As for individual collectors, I'll have to see what kind of space I've got available once everything is laid out, but I'm not turning away ANY good ideas or opportunities for partnerships or revenue at this point :)

[K3V]

Sweet Jag kiosk in there 8-)

[Lord007]

Joe,
This may sound funny, but would you consider franchising out? A space has opened up near where I live and it is right outside the front gate of a NAVY Base. I can say from years experience that NAVY guys spend tons on VGs. I have been dying to get out of my job and open a store of my own right near the base.
I would love to talk with you sometime about the kinds of costs it takes to open a store and even how to get in touch with the corporate distributers.

I'm guessing you mean the Groton sub base? I'm very close up in Norwich ;)

[rurouni318]

Thats awesome that you guys are opening up a video game store in Clifton. This town is so boring it's not even funny. The closest place to having an arcade in clifton is Burger King which is just down the street from the store. But even then those machines are busted up and faded like nothing I have ever seen before. Although there is a game stop up on 46 west in the shopping center near Woodrow Wilson and another one in garfield.

I am happy that another cool store will be taking the place of Outer Limits, which is the comic book store that was there before. I killed so many hours at Outer Limits, and by the looks of this place I plan to kill even more time here than there. Oh the memories...anyway, good luck guys and expect to see me there often.

[digitalpress]

Thats awesome that you guys are opening up a video game store in Clifton. This town is so boring it's not even funny. The closest place to having an arcade in clifton is Burger King which is just down the street from the store. But even then those machines are busted up and faded like nothing I have ever seen before. Although there is a game stop up on 46 west in the shopping center near Woodrow Wilson and another one in garfield.

I am happy that another cool store will be taking the place of Outer Limits, which is the comic book store that was there before. I killed so many hours at Outer Limits, and by the looks of this place I plan to kill even more time here than there. Oh the memories...anyway, good luck guys and expect to see me there often.

Ah! My first "local". I'm guessing you found the site from the sign in the window. Be sure to tell your friends :)

See ya soon.