Possible NEW retro shop????
Hi guys (and girls)!,
There is a good possibility that I may be able to set up a small retro games shop in Kent (Southborough).
Some of you may already know me as the guy who used to co-own a PC repair shop in Southborough (geekos)?
Another 'opportunity' has come up that could allow me to us a bit of shop space as a retro gaming shop/museum, in another shop.
I was thinking about having a 'guest' classic home computer each month, on display in the shop, for all to see a play around with. I would also have some sales space for the games I sell.
If people just wanted to come in and have a chat about anything 'retro' that would be great....might even start a little social club????
I would be looking for the 'odd' short term loan of hardware for display purposes and guarantee it WILL be well looked after.
Any feedback or suggestions would be appreciated.
Regards
Fatboy
There is a good possibility that I may be able to set up a small retro games shop in Kent (Southborough).
Some of you may already know me as the guy who used to co-own a PC repair shop in Southborough (geekos)?
Another 'opportunity' has come up that could allow me to us a bit of shop space as a retro gaming shop/museum, in another shop.
I was thinking about having a 'guest' classic home computer each month, on display in the shop, for all to see a play around with. I would also have some sales space for the games I sell.
If people just wanted to come in and have a chat about anything 'retro' that would be great....might even start a little social club????
I would be looking for the 'odd' short term loan of hardware for display purposes and guarantee it WILL be well looked after.
Any feedback or suggestions would be appreciated.
Regards
Fatboy
Post edited by fatboy on
Comments
In fact, it's two ideas - why not start the social club separately from the shop?
I have two machines which are broken but I think are repairable by someone with a knowledge of these things (Treamcast with laser that needs re-aligning, GP2x that only boots to a white screen).
I would also like to get my Sega Saturn modded so that I can play those games that are supposed to be the machines finest stuff but cost over £100 each (e.g. Panzer Dragoon Saga, Radiant Silver Gun). I think it is a little too far gone to be worrying about piracy with regards to machines this old, so I just want to download and try the games.
I would also love to get my ZX Spectrum modded so that it gets a decent picture on a modern TV. I have seen component mods or something are around but it is too technical for me as I have never soldered anything in my life.
Why don't they teach us useful things like soldering at school instead of stuff about glaciers forming v-shaped valleys etc.
I would also be interested in the forum. I think I am becoming quite entrenched in the retro games world now. Of the modern consoles I have a Wii and XBox but don't like the XBox as I am not bothered about graphics and its games are all about running around killing people with guns, and it is very noisy. The Wii offers lots of retro fun with the virtual console and the homebrew scene.
The first games store that opened up round my way in years got robbed less than 3 months after opening the bastards broke into the upstairs flat jemmied the floorboards up and dropped through the ceiling.
Shame as well this shop had some OK stuff in it.
Er don't mean to rain on the parade and such though :D
Fortunately I live in an area with a pretty low crime rate (one of the lowest in the UK!).
The shop will mostly be a PC shop (repairs and sales). I have some floor space for the retro side of things and will just try a few things and see how it develops?
Hi!,
Not yet....but if someone local to me is a 'serious' moder then I could 'offer' a range of services 'outside' of the main business ;)
I do intend to offer 'emulation' packages as well as 'real' retro games and hardware.
Not really interested in the' newer' platforms but will probably offer something of interest to DS users (R4 cards etc). what you guys with them is your business:lol:
I Will have to keep within the bounds of 'copyright' laws, but may be able to take advantage of the few 'grey' areas in the retro field?
The PC shop is the core business so the Retro side is more for fun than profit!
It's something that is desperately lacking in the UK. We have a proud heritage of videogames but there is nothing as far as I am aware that promotes it. Who knows, it could lead onto something big - oak trees from acorns and all that.
As for suggestions, how about having a featured Game of the Week? Just make sure it is something really playable like Jetpac or Manic Miner on the Speccy, Impossible Mission or Raid Over Moscow on the C64, Exploding Fist, Colin McRae Rally on the PSX, etc. Offer some sort of prize for the highest score during the week (a free game or a USB memory stick) and I think you may be onto a winner.
I think I will start with a small permanent retro display in the shop and expand via customer feedback.
It was always something I wanted to do in my last shop, but my business partner wasn't very keen...he couldn't see it making any money!!!!
I'm not doing it for money, just out of nostalgic interest.
I'll keep you all informed...and if any of you are close enough you will be most welcome to critique my effort and suggest any improvements.
Cheers
Fatboy
PS it will a 'speccy' display on opening day :)
I'm not sure of the website, but it was an excellent shop, and was always busy when I went there (which was every time I passed it, much to the annoyance of my wife)
Andrew
Your wife gets annoyed with you visiting a retro computer shop in Amsterdam ? Dread to think what she does when you go past other 'types' of shop there ! ;)
what the f...?! I have been 5 times in amsterdam visiting a friend who lives there...I have been like 10 times in central station and I haven't noticed that shop! gotta look for the site...now!
Thanks Andrew. would you have any other info about that retro-shop??
www.gameover.nl
oh no... She goes there for the other type of shop ;)
Yes, I got it a little while after I read you, but thanks ;)
Unfortunately, no Spectrum stuff in the shop :(
hi ivanzx,
the shop in amsterdam (www.gameover.nl) does has zx/spectrum stuff. please ask next time you visit. it might not been displayed in a window, but they do have zx/spectrum stuff. also msx, commodore 64, c16, vic 20, amiga, spectravideo, videopac 7000-7200-7400, trs80, texas instruments, aquarius, atari xl-xe, and much more.
in the windows is displayed the most populair stuff/systems. all other stuff is in closets and behind the counter in boxes. if you ask the staff, they will show it to you. also they buy this kinda stuff (games, systems, hardware, accessoires)
greetings
simon
Next time I go to Amsterdam I will go there for sure, Its such a pity that I have been there in Centraal Station and never seen the shop, I hate it!
Cheers and thanks all!
The idea of a retro shop/museum seems to strike a chord?
By next week I will have a yes/no answer if this is going to happen....I'm pretty sure it will :)
Had an impressive number of systems