I think it would be a great idea. I would def shop there. It would be cool to come in and see Tom and Wade and the rest of the crew every once and a while. Maybe I could get some merchandise in the store. Lol.

I see it now: "BUY THE HOTTEST SELLING ITEM EVER! THAT'S MY FULP DVD!"

I would def apply to work there .

You could probably hire people cheaper if they just do shit like cashier and clean up. Any monkey could do that job.

Good look and keep dreaming.

-Tony

It is quite a dream Tom, but I personally don't think you should do it. Yes it's true you'd be able to expand your empire, but so many empires in the past collapsed because it decided to reach further then they were ready for. 50k a year is... well monumental. I don't know how much you make a year in terms of profit but as a rule of thumb I firmly believe that you should have 50k worth of profit buffer if you're going to attempt this. By doing this if the store does poorly, worst case scenario, you've lost the year in terms of profit, but not significantly more.

Then again i've always been very cautious with things.

Phew... that's a pretty tough decision. I mean, a REAL NG store would of course be awesome. And I'd probably check by often, if only I wouldn't live on the other side of the ocean -_- If I'd live in that area I'd probably just say: GO FOR IT! :p

I don't know about NG's overall financial situation and how many items you sell right now via NG's online store. Also of course there's the question how dense the NG Fan population in the Glenside area is ;)

Either way, I wouldn't risk too much. If you think you guys can handle to take care of a store, got enough money on the side to give it a shot without risking too much and are selling enough items online to be realistic about selling a profitable amount of items as well in the offline world it probably would be worth a try. Maybe you could, like, sell comics, videogames or similar non-NG related stuff as well, as to attract non-(but-soon-to-be)-NG fans as well? Hard to say.

Anyways, be very very cautious. Don't burn yourself out. And best wishes in case you're really going to give it a try :)

Well, it's an interesting thought. Obviously you've been in a good business for ten years, and you have all the necessary knowledge in which to create something like this. I personally don't foresee any major problems, because you always have your website as a main (and consistent) source of income.

I will repeat what you probably already know, but it's extremely important knowing your market. It's all well and good setting up this shop, but if this area has an average profile of an old people's home, then you're not going to get such great business. I suggest you pop down that area every day for a week, and take note of the sort of people that visit that shopping center. Ideally you'd want a load of kids and young adults. Your target market will be male ages 13-25 (possibly older, but unlikely).

Your shop will also be quite a niche, which can be good, because it's offering something new and unique to your market. But that could quite as easily turn around and bite you on the arse.

Another point I will make is expand your merchandise. You'll need to offer more than just t-shirts and stickers. I was thinking you could sell DVDs from authors, although I imagine profit will be low, the interest in your site could justify the costs. There are loads of things you could make, thinking about it. Make a plastic NG tank with an ashtray sitting on top of it. Lighters, and other crazy crap which people my age seem to buy for no apparent reason.

At the end of the day, if you feel you can cover the costs of this in the short to medium term, it would be worth doing. Having a huge Newgrounds ad in the open world could bring more traffic to NG.

You know, any merchandise you don't sell in the shop, can easily be sold online if you find the shop isn't generating enough business to justify it staying open.

It's a medium risk. But you know what they say, the biggest risk you can take is not taking any risks at all.

It's certainly an awesome idea, but for the time being it's probably a very bad idea with the limited selection of NG merch available.
There's about 8 or so shirts, stickers, and a few figurines, as well as copies of Alien Hominid.

The way I see it, it could really bring down the site to unnecessarily open a store for a website, NG doesn't really exist in the real world does it? The costs far outweigh the benefits and I wouldn't be surprised if you'd have to sacrifice monthly winners. So far, the online store has provided most of the merchandise aforementioned too. (Also counting Alien hominid stuff)

I'm sure a bigger site like youtube or myspace would pull it off without a problem but the site simply isn't big enough, as awesome and influential on the web as Newgrounds has been.

Just turn the taximeter off... and also; shave that greasy hair of yours into this:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia /en/b/bf/Taxi_Driver_still_1.jpg

I like the idea. A year round comic con would be fun.

OH WAIT ITS IN PENNSYLVANIA

I think it's a good idea and you know what, I think you should go with it. Look at Jay and Silent Bob's secret stash, it worked, it also made me angry that I couldn't go to it which is also what this is gonna do >:( Meh, spose I could save up for a while and take a trip to the states. Anyway, I think it would be pretty great and you shouldn't give up the dream. I know if I lived in America I'd be taking a train or whatever to visit regularly and hang around like its the quick stop, so I think your masses of US fans would do it too.

Well, as you said that would be a dream, but in my opinion it would be a risk right now. Opening such a shop in Glenside wouldn't be such a good idea, since the NG fanbase is spread all across the world (I'm from Italy myself :-D)...

I don't think fans would travel all across the USA just to go to the official NG shop. I mean, if I could I'd do it, but that's just impossible. What about selling NG merchandise via chain stores? That would be much better in my opinion.

Good luck anyway!

Why not try to open the store for just a few months or is there a lease? and selling 16 items at $10 a day isnt too bad, Plus it would attract people from all over. Newgrounds is huge people would love that, Why not try it out for a few months? You could do deals with flash artists to sell there Dvds or art or something too, You could totaly pull that off your Tom Fulp lol!

It's nice to see people make objective replies. Deadheadtottie and Rupeeclock bring up some good points.

Could you generate enough sales from the people in the area to pay for when NG fans don't come? how about general tourists? If you find enough of the target demographic in the area, could they afford to buy from there?

You should also try to find out why the florist and eyeglass shop closed/moved. You would definately get some relevant information out of it.

I'll pm you the rest (I have my reasons).

@herblin: He said they would need to mark up the prices, so they would cost $10 more than online.

lol, NG health plan :)

Sell weed out the back tom.

One thing I forgot in the pm, if you did take the risk to open the store, store-exclusive merchandise could help.

Hmm..Cool idea but not a good choice to make at this time. Newgrounds is big but thats worldwide. But you never know, I would definitely visit the Newgrounds store even if its in Pennsylvania. Matter of fact NG is an exceptionally huge close knit on/offline community, people just might travel from all parts just to say they been to the official Newgrounds Store.
Hey if you opened a store in NYC I would love to work there! You're guaranteed business over here.

This post is a post you put on the Front Page, and the Justin Timberlake post goes here !

You can always test the waters a little bit. I don't know the layout of the Newgrounds office or how much available space there is, but you could have a small Newgrounds shop at the entrance of the office or at least in the general area. If you feel the demand is high enough, you could go through with it and try and rent out some space. Or you could always share the space with another business or friend as long as they mesh well.

well if i could i'd come and work there man. for free too, anything to support my favorite website =D

you should open a drift store. you could sell t-shirts, stickers, maybe even Alien Hominid doll. Newgrounds fans would totally go to your store. Go for it, Tom!

If you did open a store, I guarantee I would take a plane just to go see it.

I would wait until you get more mech which will hopefully expand your porift, this will make it easier to set up but it may also lead to you not getting the store. its times like these that it either works or it doesn't.

I think its a great idea to open up a store but in order for it to successful lot's of plublicity.

Travel about 150-200 miles to visit a store about a web site and travel back the same day?!?!?!
COOL BEANS

You are to Glenside what Kevin Smith is to Red Bank, NJ.

Seriously though, I think that would be a great idea. It would be like a Mecca for NG artists. I was looking for a reason to visit the Philly area anyways and that would be the deal breaker for sure - since, as you said, you wouldn't want people hanging 'round the office too much.

Office rent down here in WV is at least than half what it is there though... I've recently toyed with the idea with opening a production studio, but there's just no guarantees things will work out, and after crunching the number much the way you did, it just seem probable. One of these days though.

i think it feels premature. I naturally love the idea of ng growing, but newgrounds doesnt feel mainstream enough to have the bite to keep a store self maintaining moneywise and also making money. I sort of feel like it would be how it was at comic con this year where people would walk by and say 'i dont get it'

i think that building some presence at smaller conventions and film festivals would be better, like applecon or other independent film festivals, and sort of build newgrounds to be this mecca of up and coming artists and merch from these up and coming 'underground' artists.. i think thats the cool thing about newgrounds..

i dont think the mainstream is ready for newgrounds

Well, does the benefits outweigh the costs? Also, is the demand big enough to have an physical location and not just e commerce?

Of course, only you can answer that, but honest opinion, would be taking a potential gain or risk by doing the investment. I recommend maybe doing some surveying around the city to see if it will be welcomed with open arms, as well as, having a survey for the newgrounds community to take. Best to trust your current fan base opinion, to determine future potential fan base.

I don't konw, just my opinion.

The comparisons to Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash are pretty accurate, and that turned out to be a pretty big success for them. I think it would be pretty cool to see series on Newgrounds sold on DVD or something in the store and I'm sure the artists would enjoy it. Since I've never been to that area though I don't know if it would draw enough traffic to be profitable though. Good luck with any future plans regarding this however.

It would be neat, though impractical. Maybe you could call out to NG fans willing to relocate to the area and that want a job to run the NG store.

Hey Tom the stores a great idea go with it.
I'd relocate up their! I could be the store/office janitor and do odd jobs do and ya could pay me half of normal price! In exchanged for a NG Janitor Outfite.... and a box or somethin' to sleep in...
...Ya I'm high right now. :P

well i ca't say its the best idea ever, but not the worst thing I've ever heard... i mean first off you say its in a remote area, with small other shops. hey, those shops have to stay up and running with that small of traffic so you could be able to. but with only 1,269,555 users (from rankings) in the U.S. alone i would guess, that would probably good traffic. maybe stake the place out and see the traffic of it, but no matter what, a mall is a mall, so it still has to get good traffic, advertising may be needed for more. you are right on hiring a new person though, i mean with the limited staff here on NG, we might be lonely with 1 less admin here. with all that in place, being a small store, only being availible to a small amount of users alone, might not be that good... then again, new users are coming every day... being able to connect with the users is good, but can still hinder it for just being there to see an admin :D would need more stuff to sell though, 6 shirts in the store alone might not cover it all... around like $50,000.00 a year (if i did it right :\, $47,700.00 total, with $4,000.00 for like the first year, and remodeling etc.) would call for more merchandise:

a Tom Fulp action figure! :P #1 selling item in the U.S.! XD

ok (OTHER NG USERS STOP HERE. PLEASE, PLEASE :D) maybe, MAYBE, and you didnt hear it from me... paying for better membership (platinum FTW) (DONT KILL ME!) like 1 dollar a month for something extra... what that i wouldn't know as we got like all of it now.... but still would pay for it all. like a penny each is like $12695.55/month. but hey we haven't had to pay all this time, you want to keep it that way im not complaining, i pay for a MMORPG and got this idea from that.

but if you do im going on a vacation out there! still if anything else, Tom Fulp action figure... think about it... kung fu grip :P

now im going to hide in a bunker from the onslaut of people not liking my idea of paying for more membership O.o

Have you seen tom loves jt? xD

It would make sense that if you opened up a store, it would not only have to sell merchendise there but would also have to take care of the distribution for the sale of your products in other stores in other areas as well. Even if that store didn't sell enough it would still function as a controlpost. But just that one store sounds like a potential loss of revenue. What you also need to take in consideration is the location. Is this the indicated area for this kind of store?

If I visit Glenside I'll buy more than 16 things in the store!!

And I don't think money is much of a problem, I'm sure alot of people will make flash movies and give the money to this project instead of keeping it. I mean, I would. I just can't seem to get awards or my flashes front-paged.

A few interesting ideas:

SALES:

-Dave's DVD's
-Plush Toys (I'm not necessairly talking SwearBears)
-Videogames (Alien Hominid, Castle Crashers, etc)
-NG Nintendo DS Skins?
-BB Guns
-Shirts
-Stickers
-Wooden Swords, like the ones OrbitalDebris does.
-NG Actionfigures!
-Anything cool you can think of.

ANNUALS:

-"Meet Tom and get his Autograph"
-A bit of an E3-style convention; people getting dressed as characters and visiting to play some yet-to-be relesed games, watching Unpublished movies, etc.
-"Your Momma's so..." contest.

PROMOTIONS:

-Buy (X) items more than (Y) dollars and get a free prank taser (not a real taser, just one of those toys that zap people)
-Bring an NG-Based videogame and get promo extras (Like in VG conventions)
-Once every three months or so, design a shirt and the best shirt design will be reproducted and sold a few times.

Of course, if you need money, almost all of these ideas will be impossible, so first wait a little while with just sales and put all the store money on the side until you are able to make one of your favorite ideas I typed down, and you'll get more money, and over the years, you'll have enough money to pay newgrounds' copyright until Jesus visits us once again.

Please, please open a store. I think that that is an absolutely awesome idea. And if you do, I am going to get in a car and go there. (I live in Pittsburgh... so it won't take too long) However, make sure that you sell more merchandise than what you have in the store right now. Alien Hominid action figures and maybe some posters would work well. (I have always wanted a NG poster) Oh... and if you do get a store... there is one thing that you CANNOT forget- A Behemoth plush doll!

Wow, an NG store would definitely be awesome if you were able to get one running and it able to support it self. It would shine hope on aspiring artists who could possibly make some merch for it; hell it even kind of inspires me to create my own series :)

I'd like to see new NG merch. A couple of new shirts, stickers, patches, hats; put a line of fan created stuff, maybe hold a couple contests. Ha, I could imagine a SBC plush, I would definitely buy one of those.

Its definitely better than a dollar store, I work at one and I hate it. 7 bucks an hour for stocking novelty items for hours on end. What I'm sayin is a staff shouldn't be a problem, for 8-9 bucks an hour working for a kick ass website, that sounds like a dream job (well for summer/high school job).
You could probably save a few bucks by marking it down to 7, just sayin.

But, Obviously plan it out first. Put some money aside, let it build up, apply for a loan, yada yada yada all that jazz they teach you in business class. Don't impluse anything.

I'm for it, just make sure everything's covered and planned out.

Hey Tom,

I'll work at the store for free. as long as there are snacks and I can sleep in the basement....

I am serious.
-Pete

Whoa, the idea of a Newgrounds store totally came out of nowhere, in my opinion that's getting pretty big... but on the other hand, it's a cool idea, if it managed to sell all of the merchandise well.

Man, sometimes I wish I lived in some of the cooler areas of the world. :(

TOO MANY rules on NG jesus this a web for TEENAGERS not for school !

A store would be awesome but you'd probably make alot more in sales if you move it to a bigger city.

Does sound kinda interesting, especially if other NG artists are able to get their merch sold there too. Kinda like a Hot Topic but with much less goth.

yeah. hey tom. I thought i would make a post *a lil of this topic* if its ok.

What are you gonna do about all the other websites stealing Newground's stuff?

That Is SO FUCKING COOL!

You should open a store in Canada if you want a bit more business, I suggest Toronto, ON

Seems like a decent idea, but how many NG'ers actualy live in Glenside? You'd need to make alot more items to fill a store. Also Im sure you could get a 14 year old to man the store for free if you actualy make him an admin.

Number's 3 and 4 seem the most convincing, to me at least, but its seems like the cons outweigh the pros.

However it'd be cool if you opened one later on down the road.

Although it would be cool, I don't think it would be a good move on NG's part. Now, I would go there and buy a lot of shit, but I don't live anywhere near Glenside let alone PA. You should just keep expanding the NG online store.

If you can afford it, go for it! It might attact more people to the site, and some business isn't bad either.

$25,000 a YEAR!
Wow Tom.
You must be one hell of a cheap bastard.

Sounds expensive! Surely local NG fans could volunteer hours in return to... know you.

And having a year-round place to schedule NG meets would be awesome. What other features could you sell? Flash tips/other site merch, etc.

Erm, don't want to bother... do stickers from shirts count toward the sticker stat?

I've no idea how much opportunity there is in Glenside, but it doesn't sound like too solid of an investment. Of course, it would be unfathomably awesome to go down there, meet everyone, and stock up on merchandise, but, living up here in Canada, I can't say much for myself as a regular customer. :P

The NG cafe. Pretty much a cyber cafe but with NG merchandise as well. Be seperated into two parts, the store part which has merchandise, video games, movies(ones that authors of series made into dvds) comic books(XZombie and such) etc. The other one the cafe part.

Just an idea.

Tom...
Three words to solve all your woes about selling Newgrounds merchandise...
Authorized Newgrounds Distributer.

Yes, an official NG store would be awesome, but it is a huge commitment. It seems that you have been thinking of this for a while because you have everything planned out.
Is it worth it to try it out for a few months?
Also, a good question would be, "Why did the other shops close down?"

Nevertheless, good luck with your decision.
ps. If there is a store, send me a application.

You should really first try opening up the newgrounds office up to the public (tours or something?) before opening a shop.

I have no insight in Newgrounds financial situation, but looking at the heavy sums you take for advertising, it sounds as though it's something you can afford.

I like the idea, hell, I think it's fuckin' awesome! It would be a great way for American users in the area to meet up, a great way to open the eye's of non-newgrounds users, and lastly it might bring in some cash.

Still, I think it sounds as a little unstable idea right now. The store is limited to americans in said area, and I wouldn't expect them to show up every day.

As you said, Newgrounds is a huge business run by a very small office. I couldn't imagine how you would make it work, other than hiring some salespersons.

Which brings me to another question:

Is THAT saleperson affiliated with Newgrounds? Does he/she regulary visit the website? I think it's an importance, especially since it adds that "flavour" to have an active user stand in the store.

And there's time. Starting up a reasonable store takes time. Alot of it. And you all seem to be juggling with so many ideas, ambitions, prject, etc. that it's a bit crazy to start thinking about a shop now :P

Go for it. If not now, perhabs later. I'd be smart of you to consult a experienced finacial consulent.

Oh, and by the way, did you recieve my PM?

Do it....

Might get local opinions in the community. Do a poll and see what people think of what's being done here and what NG would do with a shop. Could have some suggestion worth listening to...

If you truly wanted to open a store, I would advise making it a store made not only for NG's, but the flash community. I mean, allow artist to stock their own items as well as NG's ones, like Paladin DVD's, Foamy T-shirts, or even artist' prints. Making it more of a hangout would be cool too, as in add a TV or two and allow some gaming, or allow people to bring a guitar and play around. It may sound stupid, but I like it. Also, off topic, but I think you should try and get a NG mural put up somewhere in the city. There are plenty of artists out there (and in the staff already) who would jump at the idea. Maybe then you could attract the people you would need to the area.

Good Luck with whatever you do though! I need to come by the office sometime too.

I would work there for sandwhichs, too bad I live a couple of states from Pennsylvania. :(

Hey, I think it soungs like a great idea Tom, but you have to face facts. Running a business isn't easy or cheap. As much as I'd love to see you open this store up, the fact is there are too many problems. for one, as you said, the staff. Two, youd have to pay insurance costs and in case of theft, all that merch. If youre going to open a business, then you have to have things the entire public wants.

I could see you possibly opening a store INSIDE a store, say a Walmart or something. have a nice corner of the store for all the NG crap. that seems like a better idea to me. but hey, if you open it, id be sure to visit at some point.

~HM~

sounds extremely cool tom. If i lived nearby i would visit, sadly im just your friendly neighborhood northern canadian =(

also, IT IS FANTASTIC that there is another row for games on FP. Glad to see games will get more appreciation (hopefully)

Great job tom, and good luck with the (possible) NG store =)

You should definitely try for it. Of course, I live on the other side of the country, but if for whatever reason I came to Pennsylvania, I'd certainly check it out. And you never know, you might have enough fans to actually make a decent profit. I think it's a great idea.

That would be really awesome. If I lived in Glenside. *sniff*

Lets make a NG tv commercial!! :-3

Here in Washington, we have a Spencer's Gifts in our nice mall. If they can survive selling posters with naked women and Chuck Norris t-shirts in our uptight town, then you will certainly be able to survive.

Also, think of the MEDIA COVERAGE! Within my knowledge, you would be the first entertainment website to set up a store in real life! Ok, you might get a small mention in the local paper, but it's something! If you do this, you will be an internet pioneer.

Well, I think it is a good idea, but for a small business you're looking at losing or not making any profit for the first three months or so. So your call.

Tom lemme move into your office i'll be your personal bitch even more than stamper is :'(

this store sounds pretty cool... and nothing that the internet can fully allow me to understand it's true amazingness. you should maybe have like, some merch that you can only get physically IN the store. it will inspire some newgrounders like myself to try to fly up there and check it out :D

actually i think if you were to actually get it, we should hold some sort of NG meet and fly up there, and have a chance for us non-mod-non-cool users to get together and hang out.

...but seriously i wouldn't mind working at the store at all... it's more pay than i'm getting at my fucked job making websites and ads... yeah i should be getting paid like 20-25 an hour, but my boss is a piece of shit... erreggrffeff i hate dallas, but i know i'm just dreaming at this point :/ i guess everything is a dream to us all, though.

owning the store wouldn't be cheap at all, and it would probably be quite a while before it started earning you a profit. however, i really do think it would help newgrounds progress.

but now i know what tom is daydreaming about when he's not working hard ;3

Expect a bunch of faggot kids trying to be funny hanging out there.

llo

Hey Tom... I just got the 69th comment.
Hehe... 69.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
im not sure wat state ur in, but im on long island and id walk there if i have to

i'd definetly come down there.

1. because you're my idol
2. because its an awesome idea
3. because the store would have more stuff then the online store, most likely

when did you get an office? i thought it as your house!

Consider this, how many NG fans actually live in glenside? people CAN travel there, but remember the majority of newgrounds is 13-18, and mostly those age groups wouldn't travel such a distance on there own. I love the thought of a Newgrounds store, seem amazing! it really does. but i feel, if you decide to make that move. you need to jack somewhere in the site like, bring the ads back, pop-ups? I knoew they aren't great, but well worth it for a NG store.

To be quite honest Tom, I think that you should NOT open a store.

yet...

In a lot of your posts, you're busy doing so many things at once, opening a store would just add to your list of things to do. I'm not saying you can't handle opening a store; I'm saying that this is a VERY risky move.

As you've noted, $50k is NOT pocket change. You would have to sell 16 items per day, and many people don't know what Newgrounds is.

Sure, opening a store would introduce people to the site, and would actually increase the number of viewers coming to the site, but you have to remember that this store is only in your area. All new stores having their "grand openings" will have a lot of customers, so you might sell a lot of items at first.

What happens when everyone in the Glenside area buys what they want from the store? At grand opening, you might be selling items like hot cakes, but over the weeks, customers will get what they want, leaving your items to be on display; rarely being sold.

As much as I would LOVE to go to a Newgrounds store here in Ohio, I think for now, making games, having a great website, and running an online store is good for now.

Hope that helps in your decision. I'm sure there are some other good arguments in your comments list; though I haven't read them, lol :3

Happy Madness Day Fulp =D

I LOLD

I LOLD

It would definitely help in the process of bringing business and people too the community of Glenside, but that's only if it works.

It's hard too say if it'd work or not,
There'd need to be people willing enough to go there for the one sheer reason that this is NewGrounds, now in Store form.

Oh man, I'm literally three minutes from Glenside -- I'd totally be a "regular" there :P

Hopefully the idea would work, but like some other people think, it's hard to tell how popular something like that would work, and how interested people are in this kind of stuff.

Does this mean more ads?

Dude.... I didn't know you were on Screensavers!!! How come you didn't stick with G4? (I didn't know about them in the days of tech tv cuz all we have is basic cable)

I love that idea, too bad it won't work. D:

Also, a whiiile ago you asked what people at my school mentioned about my NG shirt. I just got some random, "Cool shirt" and a couple, "Niiice." Some Freshmen were staring at it, as I was walking in the front door, making comments among themselves. I also slapped a tank sticker on my sketchbook, which a couple people in my art class asked where they could buy one. :D

Have you seen pictures of the Threadless store in Chicago that just opened? They have space for the shirts they sell and other space for computers that customers can check the site with. They also have artists create art to sell at the store. I think if you guys did something similar, it would do well enough. And put a demo booth up for Behemoth games.

This seems like a Johnny Cupcakes-like store to me. I wouldn't feel comfortable saying "do it" or "it's not a good idea", but I would say you should think about it some more if you really feel it has the Johnny Cupcakes type of potential.

If you haven't heard of Johnny Cupcakes, look him up. It's very close to what you're looking to do and has the same type of appeal, except he has a much better location, but then again, he probably pays an absurd rent.

I think it's naive for people to say that it's a good or bad idea because I don't think anyone truly knows how much of an investment YOU can afford besides you.

i think it would be a good idea because then it could grow to others states and then you could be in some serious money. I know there are stores here in texas where you could open up shop eaisly here cuz its in a great location

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! make the store nowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i wanna come over one day and be like this, i'mamemberandi'msoawesomeanditscoolan ddoyouknowi'mpico'scousonandhesaidtha talienhominidisalwaysmessingwithhimso heshothimandiameoverandheblameditonme !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!! AND I WOULD LIKE A FREE PICO SHIRT. ( you got your wife an iphone,she is so lucky!!!! )

Lucky duck, 50k$ per year. But this won't effect the public. You should hire some people into making a company. Actual stores around the us.

Sounds like a fun idea, but I've seen so many similar stores in my area (Connecticut) go out of business. Unique stores like that are really cool, but people really just come in, look at the cool stuff and then leave. I think it's too big of a risk for you. Maybe you could sell stuff out of NG Headquarters as a test to see what kind of response you would get (just an idea). Maybe just focus on building a greater NG online shop that is as fun as the rest of the website. Goodluck in whatever you decide to do.

I think you should go for it.

I've always wanted to own a shop.

Just put a cardboard box in front of the NG office and sell your shirts from there.

I think it would be a great idea, remember the hello kitty stores lol? I did not see a point at those, I never went in one but still.
if you think the area is bad for getting profits, maybe put a store in a high traffic mall near you. I would think this would get people to come see your store, and bring more people to this site.
but also, if the store does go big on the store front, you could one day open more around the country in big citys.

See, I would go to the store if there was one. Problem is, Newgrounds is run in the states if I am correct. I'm all the way in Canada. Well Good Luck with whatever you chose

Sounds good, but I would suggest a more conservative additude when it comes to stuff like this. Try saving up money (about 100K)before opening a store, in case it goes south.

By the way, how's progress on Castle Crashers?

Maybe you should see how many NGers live in that area.

It's a neat idea. But as for merchandise, you COULD sell more then just NG stuff. Make it a "depanure" (the way we call it in Montreal) / NG shop... An NG store can only go so far, most the people on here would never be able to travel to it :(

You could go as far as opening a "Lan hangout" charge them to play cool computer games, etc.

Sell some FLASH FOR DUMMIES books, ;) haha!

You can also teach FLASH lessons or something!

Just some suggestions.

Cool.

- Scott Hudson

I'd make a trip out to see it!

Oh, and sell some Clock Crew Clocks there. :D

Tom,

Your primary audience for a store like this would be people who already visit the site. Unfortunately, we are the type of people who are very savvy about what we buy and do not necessarily want to pay more for marked merchandise for the novelty of being in a retail store.

I think your estimation of costs is fairly accurate but you need to keep track of all of the intangiable costs that are associated with it. You need to consider the amount of stress and aggravation this store would add. If you hire someone what if they steal from the register? Or what do you do if they do not show up for your shift? What about shoplifters? Will you need to implement some sort of security system with cameras and rf theft detection? Customer bathrooms? Plus I am sure you will need to have various safety inspections throughout the year...

Retail stores are only really profitable because of return business. You would need to be constantly adding new items in order to get people to come back. What is the man draw of the store? How could you integrate the needs of the store with your core audience in your local community? Having special events at the store would certainly be a good reason for people to go.

Maybe you could have flash artists give talks or demonstrations at the store?

It's a great idea, but you should open a store only when NG will be REALLY famous and everybody would want a tankmen action figure, till then you'd be just wasting money that you can invest in somewhere else. I think internet shop right now is fine.

Hmmm a store.... yea... why not.... well if i could shop in it i would've been cool but i don't live in america x3 ... still.... its sounds cool..

just one thing... dont go too fast! it might get out of control and NG will collapse! :( but as i say to myself sometimes: "low and slow"... means take things easy and have control before moving on.. anyways.. the best regards from here and have fun at the office.... and a big good luck from me...

PS: believe in it and it might come true ;)

will you make a store in oakdale, MN?

I would leave my home to work in the shop :(

Although it seems like a great investment opportunity, I don't think it would turn out the way you expect it. Maybe if you have some advertisement or a big fan base around the store.

i hope to see your store 1 day who knows when though, heh

Dude i'd work there for free!

if u make enough money to compensate for a loss here, go for it. You could o[pen for a bit and see how it goes, but then again, u will spend quite a lot of money setting it up and will lose it if u leave. there is also the problem that not many ng fans may live nearby. this is difficult....

U could make it an ng game shop ( i dont just mean ng's games, but stocking loads of games like halo 1/2, halo 3, and any other games, my xbox broke so i havnt paid much attention to new games.) What do u think ?

I don't think it's a good idea to open up a shop in the location you are talking about. There won't be enough traffic to keep the place open. I have seen several shops in my town, all of which were well run and sold very interesting merchandise, fail because there wasn't enough demand.

If you were going to open up a NGs shop, then I think you should open it up in a mall, were thousands of poeple will walk by it every day. This way, you'll be in an convient area where people are already shopping, and have the "while I'm here, I might as well..." mentality. If you opened up in a low traffic area, very few people would make the trip over, when it so far out of the way of their other interests.

Do a counter-top display with some NG brochures in all the stores in the "commercial district" pointing them to the "NGstore.com" website and see how many sales you can make that way to assess the demand.

Hmmmmm That Dosen't Sound Like It

make the fucking store, dammit!!

Hmm, I think it'd be great in principle but I never got the impression that Glenside was busy with anything at all, and I honestly can't see the place turning enough over to be anything other than a large loss-maker. If you could get anywhere near that price nearer to center city I think it's a lot better.

Obviously if money isn't an object this is the sexiest thing ever

Quote "I created newgrounds. No, it wasn't made by some giant company - just some dumb kid. Yoink!" End quote

Beware Tom...

Even though it may be a distant thought set in the future it still may lead down that path. But, then again you may find that you might just like the idea of NG corp. But, i hope not.... I like the more exclusive NG.... But, it is your site, so do what ya wish. I probably would buy something if i ever had a chance to be in the area...so i'm being just a tad pessimistic...

Rent space at one of the train stations... like that sandwhich shop, Elsie's (was that the name?).

:)

Firstly, this store would be awesome if you were able to pull it off. As they say, only invest what your willing to lose. Maybe you could merchandise a some NG stuff to raise funds for the NG store that has lots of exclusive awesomeness.

Secondly, I am officially putting in my application for the store. I am a 21 year old male currently living in Central PA and am willing to relocate to Glenside. Not to mention I will work for whatever you pay me as long as I have food and shelter.

Lastly, w00t yes an NG store!!! Good luck.

YES. Hi Tom give me a job.

I think its a great idea tom really...
but i dont thinK NG is ready for that yet...i think it would be moving to fast. Economically i think it would be a disaster, and it wouldnt make that much money. NG is EXTREMELY recognized - but not well enough unfortunately to warrent a store front. Not yet anyways.

But do i see an NG store front in the future. Definately. Remember, your priority is your website and the prizes you give!

Sounds like an excellent idea, and if I lived anywhere near it I would be a regular visitor. And I think that you could also make a bit more money from selling merchandise over the net aswell, which could easily bring you the numbers you need. I think it's a pretty sound investment myself.

good idea, but it seems like you're in the middle of nowhere. You have to start somewhere, though.

Hi Tom!
I'm one of the few women on Newgrounds...
Leave a message in my userpage plz.

I think it's a great idea.

Only if you ship things for free, ;D.

do it, thats really cheap for a store, and 16 items a day is not too hard to accomplish, although, your store dosent have too many things that "appealing" so i figure sell games or DVD's and whatnot.

I would definitely go to a Newgrounds store if one were ever made.

I would DEFINITELY buy something there!

Make it an Internet Cafe/Merchandise Store Combination, Internet Cafes are actually pretty successful for multiplayer gaming

PRETTY SWELL IDEA HUH YEAH DO IT