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Arcade-orientated new business - it's happening BUT NEED NAMES. Probably ;)
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leapinlew:
How about a coffee shop, with wireless internet, and laptops that can be rented. In the back of the coffee shop, put in some classic arcade games.

Host some local artists work to sell, do book readings (turtle necks required), etc.
Necro:
Just to give you an idea here of what I've seen, recently:
- 3 LAN/Console Competition/Coffee Bars - 2 in malls, 1 on a NJ boardwalk - All failed within 3-6 months.
- 5-6 Arcades along the Ocean City, NJ boardwalk are all (seeming to me) on the brink.  Games are getting older, shoddier, and new games just aren't attracting people.  Air Hockey and SkeeBall seem to be the 'arcade' draws, while having the arcade in front of a bunch of rides also gets kids to stop (sometimes).
- Jillian's was not successful long term and filed for bankruptcy in 2004 I believe.  D&B bought out a bunch of the locations and some more are being run by another entity (called Jillians still) but even the 'big names' aren't doing hot.  A few D&B locations have closed as well from what I've been told and the economy has to be killing these places as people eat out less - and eating out and gaming together most likely will drop a lot.

The critical part here is that kids, teens, and even the people in the early 20's of today - those with the disposable income and free time (read: no kids) that would be able to come to a place like this and be a regular just don't want to.  They have no nostalgic attachment and something has to draw them in aside from the games - the games are  just a side entertainment thing.

D&B seems to have hit on a good mix, IMHO, of whats needed today.  Multiple revenue streams - and alcohol.  One can't overemphasize what the profits from large volume alcohol sales will cover in losses elsewhere in the business.  One thing I think D&B could do, but it may be centralizing a bit much, is to have a 'high end' bowling alley or harder core sports bar area. 

last thing - what are mentioned as 'classic money makers' are just that - CLASSIC money makers.  You need to think what do people TODAY want to play - not what do I wish I had when I was 15, 20, 30, whatever.

Sorry for being seemingly a downer, but just wanted to hit you with what seems (to me at least) the economic realism of what your talking about.
Blanka:
First examine the possible visitors. What is your city like? What type of place is missing? What group do you like to have as customers?

Here in Eindhoven we have a nice place, not real arcade, but it is a bar, with great food at a good price, and it is decorated disco/retro with old alarm clocks, orange lights from the 70ties, and a bunch of retro gaming consoles, free wifi and counter top iMacs (rainbow coloured). I think they should have some arcade stuff too. They made all the stuff fold-away and they have good dj's at Thursday through Saturday too. This atmosphere really works on the big group of Design Academy students and young creative entrepreneurs. It runs quite well for 10 years now I think.
cdbrown:

--- Quote from: drawfull on January 08, 2009, 01:06:36 pm ---I agree. But the FASTEST access we can get here as domestic users is 2mb. Yes, there are rumours that it is going to 8mb via rollout over the next 18 months, but the other thing going for it is that for my phone line and 2mb I pay £41 per MONTH. A LOT of people here are still on PAYG dial up.

--- End quote ---

Where abouts do you live?  Most cities have 24MB connections for domestic as all the companies have gone through and rolled out their own equipment in the exchanges.  I say spend your money on a new house in an area with decent broadband.
drawfull:

--- Quote from: cdbrown on January 09, 2009, 02:07:08 am ---
--- Quote from: drawfull on January 08, 2009, 01:06:36 pm ---I agree. But the FASTEST access we can get here as domestic users is 2mb. Yes, there are rumours that it is going to 8mb via rollout over the next 18 months, but the other thing going for it is that for my phone line and 2mb I pay £41 per MONTH. A LOT of people here are still on PAYG dial up.

--- End quote ---

Where abouts do you live?  Most cities have 24MB connections for domestic as all the companies have gone through and rolled out their own equipment in the exchanges.  I say spend your money on a new house in an area with decent broadband.

--- End quote ---

The Isle of Man. I have the best domestic product available here. All exchanges are broadband-enabled and as I said, 8mb is being trialled / rolled out. But it is obscenely expensive, and there is little to no competition in this sector. I believe the cost to be the biggest issue.

Thanks Blanka, and everyone else for the insight.
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