For those curious, here is another update on the very slow progress for my arcade business, The Game Grid Arcade.
I submitted a request to the owners of the store I am looking to get into (it’s one store of many in a strip mall owned by Kmart/Sears) way back in November and there has been little to no movement. After four months of sending requests for information, I did get something today, but it has been a fight.
I can’t help but blame the realtor that Kmart/Sears is using, as he has not been very helpful. My own realtor will fax in requested information, call up to ensure that it was received and no one answers the phone. Messages are left, but we receive no reply until two or three weeks have passed – and of course they claim that he lost the fax, so we have to send it in again.
I’m not sure why in the age of email that anyone is still using fax machines, but what can you do.
So with the realtor being difficult to contact (my realtor says that the Kmart guy always sounds annoyed when he talks with him), it makes a process that should otherwise be simple take much longer than required. They also have said that the store I want to look at needs to be re-keyed because someone lost the existing keys. It doesn’t feel very professional, particularly for a giant corporation – but I suppose that’s why they are struggling. I have sought to discuss things directly with the owners but have not had much luck there either.
Suffice it to say, this process has been quite frustrating. I haven’t been just waiting on this location however, I have been making calls to other locations that say they are available, but unfortunately nothing else has come along that is a good fit on both the foot traffic and the price.
Lesson learned so far: You need a big helping of patience and if the realtor is giving you the runaround, they probably won’t be landlords that you would want to deal with in the long run.
Stay tuned for more info.
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Nomax
Keep faith! I really hope you’ll succeed to open (and stay open) your arcade! I’ve been working in several arcades for the 5 last years… Some had old machines but with lots of visitors while others (like the one where I’m working) have newer titles (2x OutRun 2SP dx, 2x Superbikes, HOTD 4, VT 3, VS 4, TC 3, latest Stern pins) but lack of visitors. Three very important points that can change everything: don’t neglect advertising (people need to know your location exist), an attracting atmosphere (light and music) and events (contests, tourneys). An arcade success (o not) reflects its management’s attitude. Some location’s owners (even while being in the business for years) still don’t have a clue about what players want, and their arcade don’t have the success they desserve. That what’s different here and that’s why I’m confident about your project. Good luck!