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Thinking of opening an arcade...
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SavannahLion:

--- Quote from: Aceldamor on November 16, 2009, 03:13:40 pm ---
--- Quote ---  I suggested an indoor roller rink because the skates would be a lot cheaper, but he wasn't into it.  I guess if this were to one day happen we would indeed need something else and unfortunately the arcade would be an "addition" to whatever that may be. 

P.S. I'm against franchises too, but serving alcohol is definitely something that would included :) 

--- End quote ---

Roller rink huh? Could potentially make you some money, but only if you could hook schools, clubs, etc on regularly renting the venue, and again, it would be a night time only scenario.

--- End quote ---

Why night? IIRC, some of the local rinks around here have regular clubs complete with competitions between clubs and regional contests. My fiance wants me to join, but being a mountain blader (instead of freestyle) with a wonky schedule kind of precludes that... oh and being severly out of shape doesn't help either.  :P


--- Quote ---We recently lost another arcade here in Phoenix, which pretty much leaves the only big arcade being Castles N Coasters, and arguably Golfland/Fiddlestix. The ONLY reason Castles N Coasters is still in business is because they built a small amusement park around the arcade/goofy golf. They now have like 10 rides, 2 coasters, and a water ride attraction. The same stands for the other parks, they get their revenue from other attractions.

--- End quote ---

+1

There's a mini-golf/arcade in Sacramento that installed a ride or two. A major distraction since it's right there on the highway, but the ride seems to be running all the time.

John's Incredible Pizza also sports an all-you-can-eat buffet with indoor rides.


--- Quote from: Dartful Dodger on November 16, 2009, 03:55:41 pm ---Maybe I just hate people or I'm too pessimistic, you should go to the closest roller rink to where you want to have one.  This will more or less be your clientele too.  You can see for yourself if this is what you want to be dealing with.
     ...bring a couple of big friends with you and don't bring any dates.

--- End quote ---

I've never actually encountered that at any rink I've ever gone to... of course, it could be the time of day since I tend to avoid places at night. Stupid ---uvulas--- here can't drive worth a damn and it's worse at night.

Instead of a roller rink, what about an ice rink? It's strange, but while you still get a few "thugs" and wannabe "gangbangers" they seem to avoid any place cold like it's infested with a plague. I guess those Raiders jackets and blue jeans don't keep them as warm as they thought? Of course, you still get those idiots who think they're all that and push other people around, but that's why you reserve the right to refuse service.  >:D

There are other venues popping up that you can consider. All of them in or around the Sacramento area.

A gym with indoor basketball and soccer courts. Anemic arcade though.

A "bounce house" type of place. Giant rooms filled with massive bounce house type attractions. They sported only one arcade with was a commercial multi-cade type of thing, and the stupid thing wasn't even plugged in.  :hissy:

A new attraction opened up recently where an entire room(s?) is nothing but trampolines and basketball hoops. Have no idea if they sport an arcade though.  :dunno
zelony:
When I first opened Click's we were a full Bar & Grill with 50 PC's, two pool tables, a foosball machine, two dart boards, Golden Tee and 11 booths with TV's and old school atari games.  Even with $30,000 a month in sales the overhead killed us.  We eventually closed and moved to the mall where we are just a gaming center and internet cafe.  Our customer base keeps dropping because more an more they have their own computers and consoles at home so they only come in to play if they want a group dynamic.

I have a full time job outside of Click's as it has never been able to pay me a salary.  I strongly advise anyone thinking of this type of business to think twice.  I have spent over $400,000 on this place and never made a profit and most likely never will.

Good luck to anyone trying it.

Jeff
katuuuz:

--- Quote from: zelony on November 16, 2009, 05:20:59 pm ---When I first opened Click's we were a full Bar & Grill with 50 PC's, two pool tables, a foosball machine, two dart boards, Golden Tee and 11 booths with TV's and old school atari games.  Even with $30,000 a month in sales the overhead killed us.  We eventually closed and moved to the mall where we are just a gaming center and internet cafe.  Our customer base keeps dropping because more an more they have their own computers and consoles at home so they only come in to play if they want a group dynamic.

I have a full time job outside of Click's as it has never been able to pay me a salary.  I strongly advise anyone thinking of this type of business to think twice.  I have spent over $400,000 on this place and never made a profit and most likely never will.

Good luck to anyone trying it.

Jeff

--- End quote ---

Damn, sorry to hear that Jeff.  Click's looks like a pretty cool place indeed.  I guess I'm not willing to be out $400,000 with no profit coming in.  How do you stay open?  You just make enough for the business to stay afloat? 
zelony:
It barely makes enough to cover payroll and rent.  But for some reason, I keep trying.  I have decided that the next time sales drop and I need to cover payroll out of my own pocket I will just close the place.
protokatie:
I wonder if one way to make an "arcade" work is to have a Bowling Alley with a side room with coin op pool tables, a bar/grill and an arcade room. I would guess that the only way to make any of this sort of thing work is to diversify and have as many draws per square foot of real estate as you can fit. I know where I live, bowling is still pretty popular, and I could see indoor golf (the virtual golf thing) being popular as well since there are a lot of golfers, and there is no winter golfing season (snow is not only difficult to swing on, but just try to find your white titleist ball in it ;) )
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