The Reality of owning a Game Store (1 Year Later)

As running my own retro gaming shop for 14 years now in Europe, I can only say one thing: please continue making these videos. I'm absolutely drooling when I see how your shop looks and that's even without putting a foot inside in real life. Absolutely love your content!!!

The work you're doing is important. You aren't just the owner of a game store, because you've transformed it into much more than that. You are providing a way for people to relive the best parts of their childhood by selling the games and consoles that people grew up playing. The way that you've packed the store with tons of retro memorabilia instantly transports customers back in time and just puts the total experience over the top. Your store is incredible, and I hope to visit it someday. Love from Pennsylvania.

Rick, I drove in from Wichita, KS last week just to visit your store. If you look on the cameras and see some goofy 49 year old guy wandering around the store at like 8pm with his jaw on the floor that was me. I absolutely loved the store and it was well worth the drive. I will say the reason I watch your videos is for the trade-ins and the thrift store vlogging. I love seeing the pieces of my childhood that you guys come across. I wish I lived closer so that I could visit the store more frequently. Keep it up. i am super impressed and love to live vicariously through you on this journey!

Congrats Rick and crew! It has been a blast following the store throughout the whole process here on YouTube. I am glad you decided to make videos of the journey, and I hope you continue doing it! I wish you guys lots of success for the next year!

Love the content you guys put out! I was able to make a trip to see the store a little over a month ago from Minnesota, and it was surreal actually being inside. If I lived any closer, I'd never have any spare money, because I'd always be in there finding the next thing I need for my collection. You surround yourself with great people and the wholesomeness is palpable in the videos you guys make! Keep up the amazing work!

Hey Rick! Thank you, truly, thank you. Your channel, content, and THE PEOPLE you surround yourself with a wonder to behold. Your commitment to the retro gaming/pop culture space is amazing and I hope to watch for years to come!

The Progression from day one to now has been such an incredible journey. Watching your videos brings back so much nostalgia for me. Thank you Rick and team for everything you guys do. I will continue supporting you until the end 🤟🏽 NEVER STOP PLAYING ! 🔥

I spent years chasing my dream job. At 38 I finally made it. I understand the stress you are under. Over the years my childhood video game collection had to be sold to put food on the table. Your videos are an awesome way to relive the nostalgia of my childhood and share it with my kids. What I was not aware of was just how many gaming conventions exist here in the states. My wife and I really enjoy seeing the convention videos simply because it’s not just a treasure hunt but it’s fun watching you inch ever closer to that full NES set. Slowly my collection has been making a return. Your videos inspired me to buy an old game boy, Pokémon blue and Zelda for my daughter. She is hooked. There is now a plan to make it out to Arkansas. Keep it up Rick. We need guys like you out there more than you realize.

Honestly, it’s all interesting. I miss more of the old school hunts in the wild but now the stuff kind of comes directly to you so I get it. Getting to watch you figure things out is inspiring as it feels more real life. I think most of us just wish we had a true friend like Rick in our personal lives.

It's so awesome to see how you were blessed to open a game store the way you actually envisioned in your heart! Thank you for sharing with us!! Happy and cheering for you and the team!!

The bottom line is that this business is more nostalgic for the owner than it is profitable. I can say that as someone that owned one of the most popular game stores on the east coast. It’s a great passion business but unless you live in a square state and don’t need to pay $16+ and hour for employees, gas ain’t $4-5 a gallon and normal expenses are slightly below “normal”, then this guy will have his money tied up in his “passion” for years to come.. there’s a reason guys like Kevin Smith own “comic book shops” for fun and nostalgia because at the end of the day they make a pittance in actual Profit and that’s what matters in business.

I've been a follower for awhile now and want to say congratulations on the year anniversary. What I have enjoyed seeing the past year has been your transition as a businessman and your personal growth. I've noticed, alot lately, your kindness and generosity in recent videos. Just wanted to drop some positivity and say I'm proud of you and keep up the great content.

I would love to see more of the business side of things like, profit and losses, how long inventory sits on shelves when something sells, overhead costs, etc. I know that's a bit invasive but it's fascinating from any business, let alone a business I really love and care about even though I'm on the other side of the country! Congrats Rick and keep it up!

Retro Rick, its been amazing to see the growth of your business. Although time consuming, the dedication, persistence of keeping it going is awesome!! Keep enjoying the adventure! 👍🏻

Seeing the progression from starting out at when I joined up which was like between 500-1000 followers has been absolutely amazing and astonishing. I own my own wine & liquor store so I completely understand the owning of a business aspect for sure. Keep up the good work my friend and don't ever lose that positivity. I do miss you hunting in the wild some times for toys probably the one thing I truly miss now that you probably just don't have the time.

Your brand is also money as well. Every time I watch a video of yours, that wall just pops and really helps establish your brand and gives it character. You have your finger on the pulse though with retro games and your passion shows through. Keep up the good work Rick and you will get past the growing pains in no time.

For me I consider myself a collector of sorts and I always find myself pausing your videos to screencap your arrangements and shelves. I always try to decorate my house like it's a museum and seeing your store gives off a museum vibe

Great work and it’s a lot of hard work. But will all due respect, please appreciate all the people off camera that help you stay in business. Much love ❤️. We love you Rick!

Congratulations Rick. I like your passion for video gaming & the nostalgia of it. I tune in because it’s so exciting to see your finds & talking about it.

I'm hooked, man! All the little new additions you place every now and then make me want to come back to your channel even more. Think about it; just because of that, you can stay comfy in your store and create good content. #NostalgiaRetention keep up !