Having trouble ironing out a deal with the facility at Lakeshore and Carlaw. Although it is still very much in play, i have stumbled across another location on Danforth avenue at Woodbine subway, just west of Woodbine. It is close to TTC, has some parking in the area, is a high traffic location ( foot traffic), and is highly visible. It is also about half the price of the other location, but retains the square footage of the other place , except 1/3 of it is in the basement ( suitable for pinball?) In any case, your feedback would be appreciated, as we have to come to a decision by tomorrow or the next day, on both places. thanks.

PS, the one at lakeshore is an industrial type unit with a second floor, the one on Danforth is a retail location with a basement.

I think with the one on the danforth it would be better as being a retail location people will feel safer coming to check it out, and you'll have people stop in as they walk by, where in an industrial area people will have to know about it before hand to know it's there, and might be a little scared to go out into an industrial area, especially at night, and with families.

So i think doing something that's more of a retail location would be your best bet, even though it's crappy that you have to have some of it in the basement.

Just my .02

Eric

The one on Danforth seems better imho.  The one on Carlaw seems to be on the edge of a more seedy part of town and with 1/2 the price in rent, it would be very beneficial to your bottom line. Also being close to the subway is a bonus.

Quoted from thunderstorm

I think with the one on the danforth it would be better as being a retail location people will feel safer coming to check it out, and you'll have people stop in as they walk by, where in an industrial area people will have to know about it before hand to know it's there, and might be a little scared to go out into an industrial area, especially at night, and with families.

So i think doing something that's more of a retail location would be your best bet, even though it's crappy that you have to have some of it in the basement.

Just my .02

Eric

Thanks for the comment, I appreciate it

I see a pattern developing here, which is good, because I am thinking the same thing

Yes definately...Retail area rather than industrial...
subway..cheaper lease...

I think it's pretty much decided.

PLUS you now have the satisfaction of going to tell the agent for the 1st one to take a hike

Quoted from gjd

I see a pattern developing here, which is good, because I am thinking the same thing

Foot traffic is your best friend with a business like this. Yes, it's a destination for parties and families, but impulse foot traffic will add heartily to your bottom line... And with the reduced cost of the facility, the choice seems clear.

Is the Danforth location as move-in ready as the Carlaw location?

+1 Danforth seems like a MUCH better option, just my 2 cents though.
Daniel

Don't know if it is in move in condition, but it appears so from pics, going to see it tonight. The other leasing agent/ landlord seems like a real ballbuster as well. Wants an Ontario corp number, then I tried to explain it is going to likely be a non profit, he was balking at that, then I told him it may also be a federal incorp, he was himming and hawing, then he was saying only 1 parking spot, and he only gave me 5 % off . I was mentioning to my right hand man that the only reason we are at this stage so soon, is that we have been fairly tight with cash when it comes to spending. To bend over for what seems like an a#@hole landlord, before we even get in there, has cemented the decision in my eyes.No sense in opening for a few months, only to shut her down and blow out all the games, and with this guy, i could see him whining about traffic, use as a party spot, etc. Thanks for all the comments though

PS Zoning is an issue here though, as the other was zoned industrial. We would need a variance, but I have already talked to the city in this regard, and it does not seem to be a problem as it is going to be a museum, that incorporates a free training program for at risk youth. Bottom line is these youths will walk out of there after 30 days with there own machine, to do with it what they want, that they basically built themselves, so the city would look really goofy to go against that. Alternatively, if the games are not turned on, zoning is not an issue whatsoever. (wink wink) Maybe the basement idea is a good one afterall, sort of like the hotel california?

Just think of the traffic that is generated during the taste of the Danforth celebration. Danforth is much nicer than an industrial area for sure. Just need to allow for parking because not everyone takes the subway.

Quoted from Ricker

Just think of the traffic that is generated during the taste of the Danforth celebration. Danforth is much nicer than an industrial area for sure. Just need to allow for parking because not everyone takes the subway.

Yes, on a daily basis there is a lot of vehicular, and pedestrian traffic. It is not on the main drag of the Danforth though, it is about 2km's East. I grew up in this area, and have lived around here most of my life as well, so i am quite familiar with it, The main drag of Danforth, where I would love to set up, is priced at least double, if not triple from this place. However, a friend of mine's wife just opened a hair salon there, and I was drooling at the prospect of opening up on that end of the Danforth, which still may happen.It was about double the price .

Parking is available, but at lots, which sucks, but whenever I go to CN tower, or Downtown, I have to pay for parking anyhow. They even tax you for parking fees at the Science Centre, and the beach

As long as there is a RESERVED FOR B1 Spot..I'm cool wiht that

Quoted from b1buwg97

As long as there is a RESERVED FOR B1 Spot..I'm cool wiht that

Yes, valet parking, complete with velvet rope! Did I mention the Valet would be bikini clad?

but a fat guy bikini clad valet just for you terry

Quoted from thunderstorm

but a fat guy bikini clad valet just for you terry

ONLY if it's you my chubby bubby!

Quoted from Monkeybug

The one on Danforth seems better imho.  The one on Carlaw seems to be on the edge of a more seedy part of town and with 1/2 the price in rent, it would be very beneficial to your bottom line. Also being close to the subway is a bonus.

Although I agree with exposure and price, having lived and played in both places, I would say the opposite is true about "seedy"... BUT that's because at Carlaw we felt safer having the Paradise Riders safe house around the corner ... no one would ever dare break into your house .. for fear of crossing "mother". (We owned a house on Booth Ave. south of Queen.)

When I had a large studio at Carlaw and Dundas, it (and everything else in the area) was heavily infested with cockroaches.  Drove me batty.  Damned property owners were cheap b*stards and a pain to deal with. The area was slowly improving, with the introduction of more condos and upscale houseing, I had no problem walking anywhere in that area at night though.

Personally I think in the long run you'd have better luck acheiving a "Marvin" if you were located in the burbs, or Clifton Hill.  But then what do I know.  I think you should go talk to someone with experience, call Mike Hanley at "The Church" - I'm sure he can give some sageous advice.

Quoted from Ricker

Just think of the traffic that is generated during the taste of the Danforth celebration. Danforth is much nicer than an industrial area for sure. Just need to allow for parking because not everyone takes the subway.

Taste of the Danforth doesn't go that far, unfortunately

BUT I'm totally for the place on the Danforth.. being on the subway line alone is golden, and people will feel much safer in that area than in the industrial part of town.. dooo eeeet!!

Woodbine and Danforth may have been a seedy part of town back in Websherpa's day, but the area really has changed.

Funny how by not jumping on the first thing, the options keep improving. The only issue that jumps out at me is the basement being an unsupervised area. I dont know how  cameras can really make that much difference. Security will be important.

Maybe the basement can be a controlled environment. It can be the storage or even the education / teaching / demo centre?

Quoted from machine.slave

Woodbine and Danforth may have been a seedy part of town back in Websherpa's day, but the area really has changed.

Sigh, no one gets ironic sarcasm (or socratic irony) anymore...   Both Leslieville and the Woodbine Corridor have undergone fantastic changes and experienced their fair share of "seediness"

(I've also lived near High Park, Dundas and Roncesvalles, Yonge and Davenport... but I'd have to say that Gerrards' Pizza (at Coxwell) WAS the best back then (and probably still IS) - ... but then again I've lived way the hell out of town now in Waterdown (on purpose) for the past 10 years ... so what me know?

Quoted from Ricker

Maybe the basement can be a controlled environment. It can be the storage or even the education / teaching / demo centre?

Yes the basement is going to be a secure area, maybe even a "members only area" or escorted tour type of deal , hence becoming a trusted member allows you access.

Just went to check out the place on danforth, it is pretty large, and pretty nice. Supposedly someone else is going to see it tomorrow, but Im going to take the day off work to make a deal. By the way, just acquired this for the museum:Midway white Lightning

Nice, man!  Saw that White Lightning on Ebay today.. very cool.

Quoted from websherpa

Sigh, no one gets ironic sarcasm (or socratic irony) anymore...   Both Leslieville and the Woodbine Corridor have undergone fantastic changes and experienced their fair share of "seediness"

I'm sorry, I tend to skim through most of the posts on MAACA fairly quickly and am sometimes blindsided by the depth of your wit ..

Late nite Score...Death race. Had a deal for one a while ago set up, but guy wanted way too much, and it was falling apart,this one is cheaper and in much better shape. Love to have one for opening day.

nice!

Deathrace is a BAD a** looking cabinet! I hope the game measures up to it.... can't wait to see that one, nice score indeed.

Congrats!

Well, it is a little self serving, but i am way more on the side of the Danforth location!

it's not the beauty of scarlem, butbeing closer to the subway run i would be able to visit!

and it would be 14% easier to deliver some games to a schmuck in scarbrough



on a side note, setting me up as Terry's personal valet may not be the best idea... the bikini tends to chafe, and i only know how to drive motorcycles...

"Right hand gas, left hand clutch right boss?"

Quoted from axe

Well, it is a little self serving, but i am way more on the side of the Danforth location!

it's not the beauty of scarlem, butbeing closer to the subway run i would be able to visit!

and it would be 14% easier to deliver some games to a schmuck in scarbrough



on a side note, setting me up as Terry's personal valet may not be the best idea... the bikini tends to chafe, and i only know how to drive motorcycles...

"Right hand gas, left hand clutch right boss?"

Ha ha ha. If this thing starts to go south, I can always change it into a comedy club/bar with arcade games, no shortage of comedy on this site.