Should We Open A Retro Video Game Store?? - Super Kit & Krysta 64

[@TrinhNguyen-85]

The hardest part of having a game store is inventory. You always need to have more games coming in (at profitable prices) and you can’t just depend on trade-ins to keep games in stock. There’s so many stores I’ve been to where they have empty shelves or the same boring titles and sports games. It discourages customers from coming back

[@tausgr]

To this point, I just did some (admittedly very rough) back of the napkin math. Assuming 3000/month in rent, 100,000 in tenant improvements (taken as a loan with 8% interest and amortized over 6 years), 1000/month for taxes, insurance, and utilities, and 1 employee making 75,000/year, that’s a monthly overhead of over 12,000 dollars before selling a single game. Assuming the average game retails for 40 dollars, and your average cost per game is 20 (classic RPG; you buy goods at 1/2 the price you sell them for)that means you need to sell over 600 games per month to break even (meaning that you, the business owner, have made 0 dollars). Now, any one (or several) of those numbers could be wildly off. COGS may be way lower than I guess, rent could be lower, tenant improvements could be covered in the lease, you don’t need an employee, you just do it all yourself. But that should be a clear-eyed thought experiment for anyone wanting to get into this or any other retail business: can you realistically sell more than 7,200 used games per year (or whatever it is you sell)? Can you sell more than 12,000 games per year if you want to start approaching a decent income in a lower cost of living area, or more in a HCOL city, where the demand for this sort of product likely is?

[@BlakeBickerstaff]

Great video. Y'all asked all the questions I would have asked and he was a really great interviewee with an awesome store!

[@dcashley303]

There is a big difference between having a good collection or a love of games to running a business. Obviously it's best when it all can come together but I imagine it's pretty difficult at times.

[@KevinDelfin]

Just went there today because of your video! I had no idea a place like this existed in the Bay. Anthony was really nice and gave me a fair deal when trading in some games. Thanks for introducing me to such a cool place!

[@brycamp3237]

Anthony was a very chill and cool dude! I loved this video. More like this please. We need to support more local small businesses. Thanks Kit and Krysta

[@starsixsix]

I’m glad to hear at the end you guys decided not to 😂, Kit would never part with his collection. As fun as it sounds, running a profitable video game store requires way more time and capital than you’d expect. Great video as always, Phoenix Resale on youtube has some good videos on the topic too!

[@kotkaconforza]

He seems like a chill, cool dude.

[@markieman64]

He had a very healthy attitude about what they do there. There are ways to make it work. I think so many that fail is just from burnout.

[@wizawhat]

Awesome video. I imagine it takes a certain kind of personality and passion to make that kind of business work. Anthony seems like the right person for it!

[@aabarber9]

My business instinct tells me don't do it, the bubble will burst and I don't want to see you guys put yourselves in a bad situation..

[@MegaNerdX]

A buddy of mine has had a retro game store since 2011 & been going strong ever since. Definitely depends on location.

[@user-kw2ro3ce7x]

​@@MegaNerdX the instincts though

[@HigherQualityUploads]

​@@MegaNerdXThe economy wasn't in decline in 2011. It is now.

[@spicydeluxe42069]

​@@MegaNerdX depends on location? Is the Internet not a thing?

[@Blballerboy]

@novakd1530I don’t think they do, not in the $10k - $50k+ range

[@nimbusstev]

What an awesome looking game shop! The sheer quantity of important historical stuff that Anthony has there is incredible. Thanks for shining a spotlight on this place, I definitely want to give it a visit the next time I'm in the Bay Area

[@Jacrispy777]

that's so crazy, this is the retro game store i go to most frequently!! love this place

[@SkiesTurnedGrey]

Love your Pokeball hair clip, Krysta!

[@Earthyxgamer]

GameStop downstairs in San Jose is my favorite store!! The store owner is such a helpful and sweet guy!!

[@gillricky29]

Shout out to Gameshop Downstairs! 🙌

[@vintagevickie8225]

Agreed with your assessment; you guys are collectors, not distributors!

[@MNM_1064]

He seems like a very nice guy. And this is pretty interesting.

[@slenderfoxx3797]

Retro game stores are hard. Keeping inventory alone as a challenge lol. But I wish you all the luck with whatever your future endeavours might be!

[@SkiesTurnedGrey]

4:12 Oh my gosh, I want that giant Pikachu plush! Is it a backpack, too?! I need it!

[@latch21]

This was great guys!! Anthony seems like a legend

[@danielvalencia9218]

That was pretty interesting. Great vlog, Kit and Krysta.

[@natoriousthehopeful2786]

Kit and Krysta, the two of you could accomplish anything you put your mind to ✊

[@Sin_City_Assassin]

It's a fun place to work at, the trade-ins get very interesting.

[@skeebs]

what a nice and chill dude ❤😊 fun videooo

[@twilight2010ful]

Cool video! Love these vlogs!

[@brendenf2]

Number one customer right here!!! 👍🏻

[@DougyFreshGames]

Kit and Krysta: The Video Game Shop. I love you two nerds lol

[@switchingitup_]

That was cool! I love my local retro game shop. No Shrek?? 😢

Loved this video. The owner was cute too!

[@ronch182]

Yall should just run a pop-up up in a market once in a while, if there's a thing like that in the area or run exclusive auctions on whatnot

[@zelda_stark]

Retro game stores are the best! It’d be really neat and fun to have your own. Just don’t overwork yourselves though!

[@greatsaiyaguy8868]

Recently I’ve been trying to go to local game stores near me instead of eBay if the prices are right and it’s been really cool

[@kingbladerZed]

You should open a store in Olympia, WA let alone tacoma, WA.

[@GamingtheOtter]

Let's Streetpass together at pax west this year! ❤

[@mrshmuga9]

Here’s an idea for a game store owner… have a bunch of 3DS’s in StreetPass mode and advertise it. The cost to keep them on will be little, and it might bring some people in. Especially those nostalgic for Wii already, they likely would be interested in that.

[@thetruemarioandsonicfanboy]

If I had my own video game store I would call it Jamie's Mario & Sonic World inside it will have every video game items that is mario and sonic related now that will be a dream come true. ❤😁💙

[@tiamat9111]

Donkey Kong '94 !! Great purchase ! Played and beat again last year and it soooooo holds up still today. This game should have been remade on the Switch !

[@frostsplash]

One SKK64 video a month isn't enough!! 😭You both make such great videos away from the studio too!

[@Vancityseb]

Great video guys!

[@sneakson4104]

I think it'd be amazing! But I will say I've regretted selling any game I've ever owned 🤣 maybe if it's from your personal collection you could have a "museum" or "showcase" section to see memorabilia/collectible games, or maybe let people play games you want! It's your journey though and y'all know yourselves and you collections best. Best of luck and have fun!!

[@marksokolowski978]

Great video. Thanks

[@SkywardKing]

You know what... If you take all the risks into account and it's something you're really about doing in a unique way, go for it!

[@moodygaming9559]

I love games, and gaming! But I wouldn’t do it.

[@daveb5145]

Kickle cubicle is an awesome game, good choice

[@PurpleLink11]

I've been there! Cool shop :)

[@theteeman]

It's nice to think about opening a collector's store of games and stuff. It's an art for sure. It can be tricky though as well. WARIO Land, there's somewhere there for Eugene Krabs! Glad I have been collecting old games and other collectibles for over three years. Keep the collection if it's rare and sell any duplicates available. That's all I shall say. Capital and inventory would come in handy

[@VictarisGX]

I feel like this would be my dream job if I had the startup capital and the right location. As long as I was making just above the bottom line, I would be happy just talking to people and discussing our favorite games. The entrepreneur aspect would be there for me, but my love of storytelling would put the money at a close second.

[@VictarisGX]

Also, longtime gamers go to store to learn about running a business, leave with a stack of games. I'd do the same.

[@HelloSwiftful]

Multiple documentaries have pointed out it's a dying market. Instead, I would open an arcade bar and name the drinks after famous titles like "Metroid Margarita", "Yellow Pac-Man", and "Street Fighter Soda".

[@aquaarietta]

There are a few places like that around Central Florida that are really successful!

[@dapperfan44]

Can't you get sued for that?

[@mrshmuga9]

@@dapperfan44Technically you probably could. Realistically I doubt it. There’s so many game stores that use characters in their advertising (like banners or in emails) that they don’t have the rights to, but because they’re local/small/not a chain, the companies don’t care, if they’re even aware.

[@GorillaTeamCasinoULTRA]

3:53 he said he didn’t really usually do online trades with a few exceptions 18:25 just letting y’all know :,)

[@SkiesTurnedGrey]

Over time? I already hate digital media. I still try to get physical copies when I can. I prefer it, and always will. Also tired of this "always online" garbage, where a company can just randomly decide to shut down servers and then you can't play your game anymore. I still have my old NES, SNES, Sega Genesis that I can still play games on whenever I want. No need to download anything, no server I have to be connected to, I just play them. That's how it should be.

[@TheSaskOtaku]

There was a retro game store I went to that usually had good stock and I always made it a point to get something when I went there. Sadly in 2018 they closed down.

[@TurtleLakeRd]

Dude is super high lol😂

[@slainredd4339]

Love a good old gamestore

[@brandonwhite4998]

Love you guys so much, Plus Krista is so beautiful

[@ToastyOs]

Best part about owning your own store is you can be stoned while you work :P

[@atomiswave1971]

I'd never get a store, too couped up in there. I love games but I'm a butterfly as well, I need to fly where ever I want. If I had a store i'd be living in that place. I think that suits Americans though so go for it if you think its a lifestyle you would enjoy.

[@KriZtiaN17VL]

That guys is so adorable jaja

[@JeskidoYT]

huh, the shop is actually called gameshop downstairs

[@MaisieSqueak]

I think you need to be realistic here. Physical, though valid, is going to become more and more niche. It's ENTIRELY do-able but it will become HIGHLY competitive.

[@spicydeluxe42069]

​@novakd1530 they got Nintendo money, now that is hilarious. What do you think they did at Nintendo? Own it? Lol

[@sirmel11]

​@novakd1530I'm not sure why you think they're rich. They're home owners. They have bills.

[@christopher32074]

I say go for it. Just never be like Gamestop’s business.

[@s4ds4d]

The amount of comments thinking Kit & Krysta are legitimately thinking of starting a retro game video store made my day 😂 luv yall innocent souls ❤

[@spicydeluxe42069]

Man you're so cool

[@s4ds4d]

@@spicydeluxe42069 🫶

[@mrshmuga9]

Even if they wanted to dump their collection, a store would be the worst way. Too much overhead with little profit. You’d be better off selling through eBay, and only some are big enough to be worth bothering with. Anything under $30 would be a waste of time.

[@noperopepope]

I can't with good conscious recommend anyone to open a retro gaming store. It's like recommending someone to open a restaurant: high risk, high failure rate.

[@Vlaedx]

You're gonna deal with the public. Thats all i need to say

[@DaYoshi]

Name the store K.K. Retro🎉

[@GD2X]

Don't sell your Collection. It's a Collection

[@Richbroth]

No, the constant need to get inventory would be painful.

[@sirmel11]

I definitely would not make a store.

[@quezcatol]

the real question is: how is the next generation looking at physical media? because with our generation its one thing but I heard that many kids and younger adults today all go digital.

[@nindieboy4194]

I'm 32 and I like physical media. But on the switch I have like 10 physical games and 30 digital games (most of course Indies). That's the perfect split for me. And retro gaming I like to play on emulator or sub services.

[@quezcatol]

@@nindieboy4194 Im all pjhysical but had covid when 3d mario all stars came out so I bought it digitally to play it during those 2 weeks, NOW, here in Sweden, that game sells for 140 USD, very rare game. So I regret buying it digitally.

[@JustJulyo]

I'd buy that for a dollar

[@oddishu]

I wouldn't try to open any type of physical niche business in the Bay. Rent it too high that you wont even be able to make a profit especially for a retro game store. Plus I would imagine customer would complain about X thing being X dollars even though it is X years old. Screw that. Also, I would imagine the type of people that do open and run these business have a mind set that it just a side business and not what they actual do for a living. I knew this 20 year old Chinese dude that opened a vape shop and asked him why/how and he told me that his brother was a millionaire so he gave him a loan. He just plays magic and watches movies till her gets customers. My local game store where I play cards at also has a pretty unorthodox business hours where they open at 4pm and close at like 9pm. I would imagine they're in the same type of boat where its just a side, for shits and giggles, type of business.

[@crobinson2624]

No. There are enough KZbinrs who own video game stores who will tell you it’s are hard business with a lot of risks.

[@TheDreadedZero]

I’m literally subscribed to some channels that run retro game stores and they all say it’s like 80+ hours a week with barely any profits. Don’t do it

[@MedalionDS9]

*BAYOU BILLY*

[@BrainWasherAttendent]

Definitely no.

[@Retronize84]

Dude has a retro game shop and doesn't decorate it with retro game art :(

[@lukeerikdavis]

No, definitely don’t do it. 😅

[@argustaveras6391]

Not gonna lie, this was kinda awkward (I love you guys tho, big fan since day one!) The standing on opposite sides of the counter, the awkward smiles from Krysta, the customers inside… May I suggest next time you guys do something a little more planned? Like this woulda been better if this was done after hours, so that there are no customers and you can maybe set up decorative seats and lights right there in a cleared up space in the middle of the shop, multiple cameras set up… idk maybe I’m asking for too much but anyway the interview itself was nonetheless very informative and entertaining!

[@BricksBlocksMocs]

Never run a business you like collecting, it will ruin it for you. I have seen it multiple times, don’t fall for the fomo.

[@rank0011]

Duh of course you should, you guys know more about games than anyone

[@Gnalysis]

I think no. Not profitable

[@pixelspritevickysvarietych2365]

The fact that 3ds is considered retro now 😭

[@LoneWolf-km7rg]

If KZbin didn't exist you two would still be working for Bowser, rather than the cheap woke activists they have working there now.

[@sirmel11]

Wut?

[@redonyx9281]

What ? 😂