The Reality of Owning a Video Game Store

[@Sirmooses]

If he had a nickel for every time you didn't let him finish a sentence he could buy a whole new store. Just how much Adderall did you buy with that trade in money?

[@MikeScottAnimation]

Lol, true.

[@Kinodynasty]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@jimconner3983]

lolololol

[@paulwar7064]

That's annoying asf low key thumbs down for that

[@smashonlamez]

Probably like 3 pills cuz that shit expensive lol 😂

[@rileymcphee9429]

I've walked into too many game stores that are just a bunch of anti-social burnout guys sitting around who act rude/condescending to every customer. It's really refreshing to see a guy who truly loves what he's doing and cares so much about the experience he's delivering to the customer. This might be the only reason I have to visit Arkansas but it's a damn good one.

[@oneautumnleaff2119]

one of the main reasons i never goto things like this, ive had nothing but bad experiences from random stores like this. but the stores these guys goto always seem so nice and legit, id love to check out Ricks shop at some point.

[@Emceemur]

I was in a store like that recently. No one said a word to us. And we were the only ones in there so they could definitely hear we weren’t finding what we were looking for. I looked up a couple times to see if they were going to get involved and do some selling but, nope. Everything was high as camel balls too. I showed myself out.

[@rileymcphee9429]

@@Emceemur lol the prices 🤣 I forgot about the terrible prices too

[@Caseyedwards-Turbojackelope]

I definitely wouldn't be cut out for this. Kids come in, don't buy anything, handle all your stuff and bug the heck out of you. Old sweaty dudes not buying things. Mainly just people not buying things would drive me up the walls. Much respect to rick. He was born to do this.

[@rileymcphee9429]

@denefbla I can see your point, but an LGS is usually a destination so people coming in and not buying anything should be partially expected. An annoying question or conversation that doesn't go anywhere might be an attempt to test the social waters, especially among folks who lack social skills i.e. many TCG players. If at 14 yo, you come into a shop and get rolled eyes and condescending answers from a shop owner, would you bug your parents for your allowance to go buy cards next weekend? I don't think so.

[@johnzoid74]

2 things Retro Rick did perfectly: 1.) he purchased an existing business which came with existing customers.. and built upon this. HUGE. 2.) he learned the marketing before the business. he has multiple marketing engines to grow the business. HUGE. Great work Rick.

[@bbsara0146]

gotta be careful when buying a business bro... usually people are selling for a reason

[@RedneckRoyalty]

All he did was get in at the right time first economic downturn this shops done for along with every other shop that popped up post 2019 😂

[@redhunnid5142]

@@bbsara0146Selling because they are out of touch so it leads to financially not be able to handle it anymore it’s the main reason Block Buster and GameStop are falling a part lack of innovation and understanding the market

[@jamalnasir5648]

you dont wanna buy an existing business from any immigrant owner though. Only thing that means is the store isnt doing well

[@jonny-b4954]

@@RedneckRoyaltyIndeed. $130k overhead a month. I don't see how he's bringing that in every month in revenue. Let alone making a profit.

[@DerkuiDerkui]

Retro Rick getting a lot of publicity from a lot of KZbinrs. Good for him! I hope his store is a great success for years to come.

[@queergestapo5854]

He’s a KZbinr too tho

[@carlosamaro3897]

@@queergestapo5854 his KZbin don’t generate a lot of money tho he’s said it before

[@VegPoop]

ya but when can any good channels help out

[@Puretea4711]

so you know everything is overpriced for sure

[@RedneckRoyalty]

First economic downturn turn it’s done for lol

[@piggybankvillan]

One of the things that makes a game store memorable to me is events. Whether it be game nights, tournaments, TCG nights, release parties, those all are things that create memories and Rick should definitely do those if he doesn't already.

[@Papipowerful]

Agree 100%

[@ThatGBAGamer]

Ya I go to one near me to play fighting games it’s fucking awesome lol

[@nicopaoletti3501]

Definitely agree, if prices are reasonable he should get a ton of business

[@TheMetalGaia]

My friend owns a small game store here in Michigan. The struggle is real but his commitment is inspiring. I'd love to bring him here one day!

[@zacharyfountain5417]

What’s the name? I’m in MI

[@TheMetalGaia]

@@zacharyfountain5417 Retro Replayed in Burton. Near Flint.

[@spydr9931]

Love all of you guys. During my Cancer Journey, I found you guys watching KZbin during Chemo and have been watching ever since. I am so happy for all of you, and especially love Riffs comedy and Jokes and one day I hope to make it to Ricks store to check it out. Insanely proud of Ricks progress and succession of the store and hope it becomes one of the best stores in the US. You all are so down to earth and genuine and wish you all success and hope all of your dreams and aspirations come true. Congrats Rick on all of your success. Caleb keep up the great content, and for being so honest with everyone.

[@WhySoSeriousBruh-fb7ud]

Way to kick cancers ass. Hopefully you stay in remission for years to come.

[@marvinracer88]

3 months old comment but still, my best wishes are with you, brother. Fight that f cancer off. Big hug from Mexico.

[@GoshDarnBarnOwls]

He does a fantastic job in creating ways and showcases to keep you coming back. That's the key to any store

[@trcythmpsn]

I feel that busted up civic on a spare tire at @15:33 is the perfect example of a gamer's car haha

[@babygravey]

Its what the squad drives in to the smash tournaments

[@manonamission2000]

Points to Ricky for his patience

[@dylanzenskateboarding]

I love retro Rick passion and dedication towards the community. He puts in the work and love those brand designs

[@divefraggle]

That Hulk statue is so badass. I bought some stuff from this store about 6 months ago. The store's got a great atmosphere.

[@UToobin75]

Still kicking myself for not picking up Snatcher for $20-$30 from the KayBee bargain bin back in the nineties. I was like NAH, too rich for my blood 😄

[@thegamingchef3304]

Dude I remember back in 99 or 2000 I was in Florida at the mall and seen all kinds of Atari Jaguar games for like 5 dollars and I for some reason I didn't buy them. I been kicking myself since. Lol

[@JeffisWinning]

Kay Bee Toys is old school! That place was awesome.

[@HerecomestheCalavera]

It is crazy isn't it? We could have been set for life if only we'd known to stock up on certain video games! Back in the early 2000s most of those games were nearly worthless. Nobody wanted them. People would be like "ha why would you want these old NES games when Xbox and PS2 is out?"

[@UToobin75]

@@HerecomestheCalavera Should've stayed that way. The overcommodification of retro gaming has tainted the hobby.

[@HerecomestheCalavera]

@@UToobin75 Imo the majority of those old games are worthless. It blows my mind that people pay $80 for Mickey's Adventure in Numberland for the NES. Why? Numberland,Sesame Street,Barbie those games should be like $1 and nobody should even want them at that price! I don't get buying up tons of games that suck and you will never play. At this point I don't even see the good games being worth it. You can just emulate or if you must use original hardware just get an Everdrive. It is insane the amount of money people pay for what amounts to worthless crap that is just going to sit on a shelf.

[@garymapes6955]

Retro Rick seems like a cool person down to earth and honest, that's rare nowadays.

[@DrSirSteve]

By far the best game store ive seen yet. Probably because I love the 90s vibe.

[@noobXd3stroyer]

Love what he’s done with the place. the environment is an experience alone. Buying a couple games while you’re there is just a plus 😂 wish he was a bit closer for me!

[@wimberkers6901]

Really great how rick is using all these experience design ideas in his store that is what sets it apart thinking about sightlines, reridability of the store experience itself with the constant changing ambiance with the museum display etc and just overal how he is going more for a overall experience instead of just a shop. My heart as a experience designer myself is warmed. If I could give one tip a good one would be have some consoles on display and give people the possibility to test games they are not sure about buying for up to 30 minutes or any other time frame there it adds the game experience itself even more to the store and people love being able to sample stuff it works greatly against uncertainty in buying decisions. Ofcourse you would conceptually need to finetune some details but think it might add to the whole store experience.

[@davidcbeaudoin]

This tour just reminds me of how much fun I had working at KB Toys when I was in high school. If the retail market wasn't so hard to be successful, I'd love to run a toy/gaming store like this.

[@dana.9377]

What an amazing store… I really Hope places like these never go away

[@HermannTheGreat]

These stores end up running on margin profits if at all and they don't last, hence why they change hands often or just shut down entirely. Many of them closed around 2010 etc. as digital kept growing. I think that personal packaging for all the figures is maybe the best business decision of a small gameshop I've ever seen, perfect for holiday/special occasion purchases.

[@cameronschmit6472]

…all stores run on profit margin…

[@HerecomestheCalavera]

I don't see how some game stores stay in business for so long. Some stores have been around for years yet have insane prices and hardly sell anything. It makes me wonder if they're not a front for something.

[@hugslugs]

I love how caleb owes everything to Amazon FBA, while rick is an OG store owner and so much more humble. In comparison Caleb is kinda annoying.

[@xNatheeeGamer]

Caleb is absolutely peaking on stimulants

[@Sm31LyxTr33s]

Is caleb the guy doing the interview? If so yeah he is hella annoying...

[@Hugh_Mongus_Chode]

Kinda?

[@WholeSomeHomie]

Don't watch?

[@Emceemur]

Nothing like a derpy Machop to round out your experience. The decor in there really is top notch. It succeeds at being its own experience. Good stuff.

[@DarkXenoGaming]

There is such an insane markup on games in these retro game stores. I have been working on my collections and its just a lot easier to buy them off eBay, even for a premium, and its still cheaper than a retro gaming store. Don't get me wrong love going into them, but most likely will not buy.

[@einsteinx2]

Yeah that’s the problem, it’s so expensive to run a physical store they have to sell for more

[@Gbeard94]

employees, rent, utilities, products, insurance, up keep, game buffers, taxes, list goes on and on. Cant run off hopes and dreams lol.

[@sunshinethor420]

Out of all the shops youve visited, this one speaks the most to me. I LOVE the use of the blockbuster and TRU signage and other retro shops peices. Really cool store.

[@rickyrichreacts9667]

Anybody else who at first doesn’t click on a video in your recommendations because you really aren’t interested but the same damn video keeps popping up for days straight so you’re finally like fuck it and click it? That’s why I’m here 😂

[@Tinyflower1]

the packaging definitely is one of the coolest things to me. If I ever travel to the US and am near this store I'd definitely would pick up a figure that I will keep packaged just as a souvenir

[@TheLastRockNRollerAlive]

In the entire state is a understatement, your commitment might be the best game store in the entire country. I live in Los Angeles county, and even a big area with a big city does not have a gaming store as sophisticated as yours. That Michael Jordan action figure is nostalgic af.

[@laurigardner6227]

I am now wanting to go to this store just to support this store by purchasing stuff.

[@kennyjwislon1]

Store looks amazing. Sitting here thinking where could I take the family to make this store on the way. Congratulations Rick wish you nothing but the best.

[@DbossHasGrit]

Crazy come up for Retro Rick! Glad to see him again, My dad was a watcher of his up until his passing in 2021! Cool to see him evolved so far!! W Rick!!!

[@cooper9607]

I went to Retro Ricks for the first time 3 weeks ago driving back from Little Rock and didn’t purchase anything. But I came back about a week later and I bought my first ever Nintendo Power Magazine (Kirby’s Dreamland 2 number 72) from Retro Ricks.

[@TheCommentNinja81]

How much was it?

[@BentSpoonGT]

awesome video bro! you got me into retro collecting, and now i have WAYYY to many retro game consoles! keep up the Great work!!

[@jaxxonvideogameresale]

Definitely

[@TNDVideoGames]

Brilliant on the part of the retail experts to create the focal point. Something I may look into. Loved this video and the questions Phoenix asked. Honest and upfront. No one wants to talk about prices. Great video!

[@6ixset106]

You gotta let that guy talk. Several times i was listening to him say something interesting for you to cut him off mid sentence.

[@knowwhoiamyet]

I have no idea who or what this is, but I I am glad it popped up in my recommended. I live in Canada and likely won't get the chance to visit this store, but the tour was amazing to watch! I love the retro aesthetic of everything. The classic Mario Bros logos, characters, the way the colors all popped and were really in your face, exciting, and yet somehow comforting too is all just so brilliant. I adore looking at old videogame box art for this reason. You can feel the era, and it feels good.

[@oneautumnleaff2119]

they basically go around looking for vintage stuff for collection and flipping, Retro Rick does the same but also with his store in mind, so alot of times he will just buy stuff to fill his shelves.

[@knowwhoiamyet]

@@oneautumnleaff2119 This video was my break in point to the genre on youtube, and I'm thankful for it! I've watched about a dozen videos now from a handful of people and I love them. It's such a nostalgia trip sometimes. I'm a bit envious I don't have the opportunity to visit these kinds of places myself, living in rural Canada!

[@Cakebattered]

I use to run a high end hifi store, and I tried to run some events with a independent video-game store down the road. My goal was solely for exposure to the Dads of the gamers, he would get the opportunity to sell games and systems under ideal demo situation. The owner wouldn't give me the time of day. My store had several rooms with large TVs full home theater setups. One room had a 5 foot diagonal projection screen and $100k audio system. The projector was so bright ($30k) you can watch/play with all the lights on. That videogame store didn't last 12 months.

[@moontecker]

Its crazy how Rick started off as normal youtuber and now he is officially store owner.

[@mr.thrift1892]

Can we just take a minute to appreciate Retro Rick getting down to the Tony Hawk soundtrack! Takes me back as that was my favorite song in the game! Can’t wait to go back to the store!

[@alphagator3373]

huuuuge respect, seems like a chilled guy... sadly i am far away from the usa and ll never visit it but i love to know that those kind of stores still exist !

[@mackers_855]

I love the nostalgia from that store. For my age that is awesome place. I reckon if you had game nights (if not already) could get good demographic going! Amazing work! Good luck to this stores future looks amazing!

[@str8upgam3r]

I love your store, Rick!!! it’s my dream to work in a retro game store like yours. I’ve been a video game collector for almost 10 years I would love to work for you and hopefully one day open my own store

[@retrogameshorts]

Oh wow. I used to go to this store all the time when I went to that college close by. That was almost 15 years ago. Glad to see it’s still alive and hasn’t changed!

[@odigomez1787]

That is a crazy sick shirt you have on Caleb. Riff you killed it again with the edit.

[@puppy14]

I do a meeting for my business in Arkansas every January. I’m going to make a point to drive out here and give this man some business.

[@Kevintendo]

Loved the vid! Idk about the thumbnail tho? Thought he was in the red by $130,000… but he just SPENT $130,000 last month

[@RejectHumanityReturn2Monke]

Stop cutting him off when he's talking. SHEEESHH!!!

[@JaceTLittle]

3:01 cashier in background, well done sir. Very subtle.

[@InspirationIgnition]

I read your comment before I saw what he did and somehow I knew what it was going to be 😂

[@CaitlinEdwards-ix3rh]

much love to this group of guys just trying to make a living off their childhood, yalls group of dudes is impeccable

[@joshl5658]

Not gonna lie.. Ricks video game store videos have been more interesting to watch than just buying people's collection in the back of your prius

[@vSilentangel]

Oh wow, I think I had that Darth Maul shirt at around 3:40 as a kid.

[@GamingReverend]

Okay, the joke riff made on the P.O.S. Made me laugh way to hard and for way to long

[@andylee8314]

As much as I like browsing and experience the physical video game stores, it will follow the same VHS path as the Blockbuster stores in the future

[@PokemanOkie]

I feel like Ricky has an unlimited amount of cash to spend.

[@andrewwilson4733]

i always think this, he spends crazy crazy amounts, especially at conventions

[@Tora_Dj]

Church money 😂 nah joking he just a hard working dude

[@Crispy.Chalklit]

Onlyfans

[@cachanilla1375]

Of course, he's a billionaire,also me make more money with KZbin videos, re-selling video games, & maybe he had a business, this guy make millions dollars every week, so that's why he can buy everything he want

[@Tora_Dj]

@@cachanilla1375 don’t think he’s a billionaire 😂 and KZbin makes you so little money nowadays unless you hitting millions and millions of views

[@Hugh_Mongus_Chode]

“Let me just ask the most bland boring number related questions and interrupt him as soon as he answers!”

[@jaxxonvideogameresale]

I need to get my own video game store 😅 Thank you for these videos Caleb, you inspired me to start a channel and Resale business

[@ericrobinson169]

I need a For my son t-shirt or hoodie. Retro Rick please start making those bro. People will definitely buy them out

[@RubianGaming]

2 very close friends of mine would buy games from flea markets and local places then clean / flip then on eBay. It was so successful they have opened 4 physical locations since 2019. So many it's the area you guys are in.

[@GL-GildedLining]

20:32 I kinda wonder whether that N64 would glow under a blacklight. Amazing shop. If I ever get out to Arkansas, I'd try real hard to visit.

[@GameCriticNoob]

I've been here a couple times before. It's a very nice store and has a pretty large selection. But the first thing I noticed was the prices. They aren't too outrageous, but you'd see things going for $10-20 over market value. There was more of a focus on modern games as well with a heavy selection on PS3/Xbox 360/PS4/Xbox One games, so unfortunately they didn't have what I was looking for. I ended up just going to Game Xchange where they had several PSP games and the Majoras Mask 3D I was looking for.

[@box_giver1432]

Amazing episode, thank you!! Brought me back to "the good old days" :D :D

[@bigman2352]

I’ve been watching (and subscribed to) both of your channels for a good while now and it’s amazing to see both of you in the same video 😊👍

[@MrDWilson05]

Do you still do garage sales and other game chasing videos? Where are the older style videos? I miss the authentic flip videos! :)

[@ndbigeyedfish]

It seems like Rick is extremely annoyed by you lol

[@53knights]

I loved the offended look Caleb had when the $3 almost cost him splatoon 2

[@NunyaBeeez]

Riff with the Bits tattoo? True friendship and dedication there!!!

[@thoyo]

Glad to see him keeping the culture alive. Best wishes!

[@AdrienMD]

This video is absolutely fantastic! The dedication and passion of the owner really shine, I wish I could stop by someday, we don't much of these store in Europe anymore 😢

[@hakjie1112]

19:02 "This is a kids game" , "You own a game store" lol

[@fuzzylumpkins6034]

Having a store front is not the way to succeed currently in a niche market. Dont think games are niche? All current companies are not selling physical copies anymore and stream or require online to download and play. So a store front is a cash pit. You are hoping enough kids come play tcg like d and d , yugioh, pokemon and buy all the over priced floor items like old games and toys that are ALL cheaper on line so you will catch the occasional buyer that impulse buys a comic or old toy but overall nostalgia sells in waves. Awful to say but fact is fact. We closed our game shop 18 years ago and by year 2 of selling old games/ toys/ comics out of a storage locker we were up £90 grand. How? We werent paying staff, electirc, overpriced rent (£3000 per month) in a tiny space at a dying mall), we werent being stolen from or having customers break things. Loss prevention (theft and breakage) alone saved us £12 grand the first year.

[@mattsenft4810]

At 15:34 is see that Honda and immediately think. Owner brought in his VG collection to get some cash flow to fix that bumper.

[@kosh9639]

"Right Under GameStop"... 15:18 What a Troll.. 😂😂

[@funkmastersnood]

I thought that was Phoenix's car for a second 😂 15:34

[@bernielindell]

Awesome news! Glad to see the bubble popping.

[@splugereport]

Holy crap your channel has grown! Congrats man

[@MarioLuigi-vb3rp]

Right under game stop 😂 15:35 had me dying

[@TPGKDUB]

You answered my question lol .10 item sold for $1.00 is (9x) profit but it’s .90 cents lol yeah it’s a profit but… How long did it take? What space is it taking up ? Etc… Calculating true value is key $100 item that sells for $300 (24 hours) Vs $500 item that sells for $1,000 (3 months) Imma take $100 item 🤔… and use 29 days to make the difference

[@offroad5798]

That THPS Goldfinger reference at 10:55 was gold 👌🏼

[@Brendan2222]

I still own that same xbox 360 backpack 15:40 Got alot of use out of it as a kid.

[@FlushingStatic]

10:52 this part almost made me cry 😢

[@SquidersGaming]

love the banter in this video absolutely hilarious video and really cool to see retros shop.

[@Brandon-mo8np]

Been to your store many many times! I live in NWA so don't get to get there very often anymore!

[@hasnainsoofi8088]

Great video as always, keep up the good work. I’m looking forward to the next one. Just out of curiosity when will you upload a video that’s about the game room, the last one that I remember that was about the game room was the CRT tv video.

[@jaxxonvideogameresale]

I been wondering the same thing

[@QuickFlipEric]

Hey Phoenix and retro RIck ! its QuickflipERIC ! nice vid guys !

[@Drock1489]

Casual busted up car parked right out front. Nice touch!

[@onedankind]

One time I traded in some obscure xbox game to gamestop and they paid me more than I bought it for. I think it was Alaskan crab fishing, like the tv show.

[@thequixoticangler3364]

Man that's crazy. Back in the early 00s I used to work there. Looks exactly the same. The incredible hulk statue was a bit** to get in there. So cool to see it on YT.

[@photoc]

15:35 RIP to the car LOL

[@TheOfficialRybot]

i think you are missing out on a huge pack wall below the logo, new and old for quick profits in newer sets and higher margins with vintage cards. Also mtg area with dice, warhammer sets and table top game area.

[@LostInTheMania]

I wasn’t even gonna watch this video, but when I hovered over it, the audio told me that this is located in Conway Arkansas, which is only 40 minutes away from my hometown, which blows my mind that I have never been here because this place looks super cool.

[@MediocreTCG]

You should check out Double Header in Pine Bluff, AR. Been going there since I was a wee lad.

[@cratedigga.mp3]

Hope everything works out for ya Rick, awesome store. Can't wait to visit one day! Regards from Sweden :)

[@naclcreep2505]

Hahaha! Shoutout to Denise ‘the c-toe’ Austin. We had some good times together back in the early 2000’s. Rick’s reaction was priceless

[@bigman2352]

13:27 what is the name of that machine please?

[@Riz2336]

Great looking store, certainly a lot better than most I've been in

[@maksymtriukhan9968]

Stack Wii's fml 😂the Hulk starts from 2k - 20k and goes one day for 200.000.😜

[@cristiano6965]

Let's be honest here, a lot of these businesses are only kept open thanks to social media/ KZbin income

[@shadowsmith1386]

Ikr it is 😂

[@Roach_tm]

15:31 Anyone else wonder what's the story behind that car? lol

[@RobertKreese]

15:57 - Thanks for calling it descent! I made the music for Alwa's Awakening :D

[@cesarcastilleja8676]

This was a really good video, need more of you and Rick

[@brucehirschlein5442]

OUt of curiosity, what is the size on that Metallica Poor Touring Me shirt, and price shipped to 08205?