Talked to the Leasing agent today in regards to the location. naturally, they didn't accept my reasonable offer, but came back with an offer just a few hundred higher than my budget. I still think it is going to be a go, but may take some bs'ng back and forth for a while. In anticipation, I started a facebook page to create a little bit of buzz, because as you can well imagine, this is going to take lots of money. I would really appreciate it if you could check it out, and pass the word along. I will keep you all updated as to the outcome of this location at Carlaw and Lakeshore in Toronto. Thanks a lot
-The Getaway: High Speed II!! -Spider-Man -F-14 Tomcat -Guns N' Roses -Lord of the Rings -Twilight Zone
-Medieval Madness! -Indiana Jones (Williams) -Star Trek: The Next Generation -Champion Pub -Terminator 3 -Congo -Johnny Mnemonic -Tales of the Arabian Nights
-The Getaway: High Speed II!! -Spider-Man -F-14 Tomcat -Guns N' Roses -Lord of the Rings -Twilight Zone
-Medieval Madness! -Indiana Jones (Williams) -Star Trek: The Next Generation -Champion Pub -Terminator 3 -Congo -Johnny Mnemonic -Tales of the Arabian Nights
5 Pins - High Speed(under repair), Diamond Lady,PinBot, STARGATE and ??????(to be announced) 1 Slot - 3 Reel 5 Vids - Golden Tee 2005, Rush the Rock x 2 linked, Area 51-Site 4, Mame(under repair), Megatouch XL 0 Time to enjoy
Not sure if this is already in the plan but I have a few ideas that may help. 1. I think that in addition to paying to play a game there should be a small covercharge $x.xx per person; make kids under 5 free and have a reduced family package $x.xx. This should avoid the hanging out syndrome and also it would encourage those who do not spend to at least provide revenue. 2. Each machine should have a plaque near it to explain when it was made, who did the art work etc. As a museum these facts will add a great deal of interest. 3. Postcards! An easy way to promote the place and make extra cash. Take photos of the machines have the address etc. $1 each 3 for $2. 4. At Christmas have Santa there on a regular basis. Every holiday have the character Easter Rabbit etc. 5. Books in the gift shop, I am sure you thought of this. 6. "Token" key chains. 7. General Maintenance workshops that you have to sign up for $20 or something like that where basic testing and maintenance are talked about and shown. 8. Contact all TV and Film Companies. They will need to film sites like this and they pay great. (I am sure that Being Erica would need a site like this; not sure what else is filmed in the Big Smoke!) 9. Tournaments, sign up sheets. Entrance fee+cost of games - Prizes, house takes a 20% cut on entrance fees. 10. High Score Wall of Fame. 11. Sell annual memberships and have a members only night (Pick the slowest night and make this the night.) 12. Classic Candy for sale is Gift Shop.
Theres a few, hope it helps.
Drew
PS I will be an annual memeber, I travel to TO for work on a regular basis.
Current Lineup: Black Knight, Riverboat Gambler, Ripley's Believe it or Not, Flintstones, Orbitor 1, Wipe Out, Breakshot, The Simpsons Pinball Party, Fish Tales, Eight Ball and a 60 in 1 Cocktail.
Great suggestions. Can I also suggest that people can become members and reserve their "initials"? This way, if they get a high score on a game, you'll know it's them and can place them in some kind of hall of fame or something. In order to succeed I think you'll need to be a bit more than just a collection of arcade games. If you can turn it into a community you'll be a hit!
Have
Want
-The Getaway: High Speed II!! -Spider-Man -F-14 Tomcat -Guns N' Roses -Lord of the Rings -Twilight Zone
-Medieval Madness! -Indiana Jones (Williams) -Star Trek: The Next Generation -Champion Pub -Terminator 3 -Congo -Johnny Mnemonic -Tales of the Arabian Nights
It is as if you have read my mind with some , if not all of your suggestions.Were you to read our business plan, you would have a good laugh! Thanks a lot for the kind words. As far as pricing is concerned, the concept that we have pretty much agreed upon is a flat fee entry of 10$, everything on free play. It is after all going to be a museum. As far as the plates describing each game, we have that covered, but are having some bit of a challenge as to where to place them.Initially we wanted to have a little stand beside each game, but because space may be limited, we will either have to place it directly on top of the machine, or we have even considered putting the info on the floor where the machine is, with a plexi cover, almost like a mat. In any case, the membership idea is one we are set on for sure.We are going to have some definite benefits to members, but we will announce that when it is set in stone and we actually get the place. The bottom line is that the engagement of the hobbiest and enthusiast community is vital to this undertaking, however I am confident there are enough of us. Evidence of that can be seen with the constant addition of new people, especially young ones to the collector addiction/hobby.
PS The location we have our eyes on, is smack dab in the middle of the film district, and I actually have a very good connection with someone down there, in that industry who is well known, and can probably help out vis a vis using it as both a location, and rental of games.
Great suggestions. Can I also suggest that people can become members and reserve their "initials"? This way, if they get a high score on a game, you'll know it's them and can place them in some kind of hall of fame or something. In order to succeed I think you'll need to be a bit more than just a collection of arcade games. If you can turn it into a community you'll be a hit!
Good idea, we will do something like that for sure. I love the thought of any place I go to that has pics on the wall of people having fun, or somewhere where you carved your initials into something ( Dont get any ideas), it gives you a sense of belonging and inclusion. That aspect, is deinitely not going to be overlooked.
Not sure if this is already in the plan but I have a few ideas that may help. 1. I think that in addition to paying to play a game there should be a small covercharge $x.xx per person; make kids under 5 free and have a reduced family package $x.xx. This should avoid the hanging out syndrome and also it would encourage those who do not spend to at least provide revenue. 2. Each machine should have a plaque near it to explain when it was made, who did the art work etc. As a museum these facts will add a great deal of interest. 3. Postcards! An easy way to promote the place and make extra cash. Take photos of the machines have the address etc. $1 each 3 for $2. 4. At Christmas have Santa there on a regular basis. Every holiday have the character Easter Rabbit etc. 5. Books in the gift shop, I am sure you thought of this. 6. "Token" key chains. 7. General Maintenance workshops that you have to sign up for $20 or something like that where basic testing and maintenance are talked about and shown. 8. Contact all TV and Film Companies. They will need to film sites like this and they pay great. (I am sure that Being Erica would need a site like this; not sure what else is filmed in the Big Smoke!) 9. Tournaments, sign up sheets. Entrance fee+cost of games - Prizes, house takes a 20% cut on entrance fees. 10. High Score Wall of Fame. 11. Sell annual memberships and have a members only night (Pick the slowest night and make this the night.) 12. Classic Candy for sale is Gift Shop.
Theres a few, hope it helps.
Drew
PS I will be an annual memeber, I travel to TO for work on a regular basis.
Thanks a lot for the ideas, the tournament idea is a definiite go, I think the first machine we will give away as a prize is a ms pac.The candy idea is an idea I never thought of, funny how there is interest in everything retro nowadays. There is a mustang club, and other muscle cars participate as well, that want to travel down with all their classic muscle cars to help promote it, and have there meeting there, which I think would tie in nice to the retro theme. Perhpas I will have to buy a "John Travolta" type suit as well. ( Nah , I, wouldnt like to get punched out on the first day)
I don't know about the $10 fee. What if someone just wants to come in and play a couple games on the way home? People will only be willing to shell out $10 if they have a minimum of 2 hours to kill. There must be some other way. How about a $2 cover fee, and 25 cent plays on machines (instead of 50 cents)? This would keep the hobos and riff raff out, but also be a low barrier of entry. Also, it would return one of the biggest thrills to playing pinball in an arcade, the replay having a real value! That's the biggest thing you lose by having a machine at home set to free play. Replay is pointless.
Have
Want
-The Getaway: High Speed II!! -Spider-Man -F-14 Tomcat -Guns N' Roses -Lord of the Rings -Twilight Zone
-Medieval Madness! -Indiana Jones (Williams) -Star Trek: The Next Generation -Champion Pub -Terminator 3 -Congo -Johnny Mnemonic -Tales of the Arabian Nights
I don't know about the $10 fee. What if someone just wants to come in and play a couple games on the way home? People will only be willing to shell out $10 if they have a minimum of 2 hours to kill. There must be some other way. How about a $2 cover fee, and 25 cent plays on machines (instead of 50 cents)? This would keep the hobos and riff raff out, but also be a low barrier of entry. Also, it would return one of the biggest thrills to playing pinball in an arcade, the replay having a real value! That's the biggest thing you lose by having a machine at home set to free play. Replay is pointless.
Quite frankly, economics is dictating the price. I have been in contact with some of the other guys that have museums in the US, and this seems to be the best model. However we may adjust the price accordingly during certain slow times, or maybe even free entry on certain days ( Like the AGO on Wenesdays). It is something that we have been studying hard, but unfortunately it can not be known until it is tested. One thing we will be is very fluid.You are correct about the entry barrier, that is something we definitely want to have, as part iof this is to market it as a family destination, rather than arcades of old where part of the thrill was seeing all the nutcases, druggies and just plain weirdos.
The pinball hall of fame in vegas somehow avoids the problem of riff raff. How do they do it? I have no idea! There's no bouncers or entrance fee. They're also in an area that has lots of meth addicts, met a few on the bus back to the strip. Maybe the problem of the 80s remains in the 80s? Maybe try without an entrance fee, and if it's a problem, then introduce it?
Have
Want
-The Getaway: High Speed II!! -Spider-Man -F-14 Tomcat -Guns N' Roses -Lord of the Rings -Twilight Zone
-Medieval Madness! -Indiana Jones (Williams) -Star Trek: The Next Generation -Champion Pub -Terminator 3 -Congo -Johnny Mnemonic -Tales of the Arabian Nights
The pinball hall of fame in vegas somehow avoids the problem of riff raff. How do they do it? I have no idea! There's no bouncers or entrance fee. They're also in an area that has lots of meth addicts, met a few on the bus back to the strip. Maybe the problem of the 80s remains in the 80s? Maybe try without an entrance fee, and if it's a problem, then introduce it?
He and his brother are millionares many times over, since the 70's. They can afford it, we can't right now. Eventually we would like to lower the price, but we feel that 10$ is a reasonable amount. Keep in mind there are a lot of video games, and em's as well, where free play is more attractive.You may be correct about the problems of the past though.
gjd
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