MaddFlash 2007-09-18 06:44:54

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

MaestroRage 2007-09-18 07:52:38

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.

HeRetiK 2007-09-18 10:50:19

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 :)

RupeeClock 2007-09-18 13:06:11

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.

NG-BBS 2007-09-18 14:12:39

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

<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bf/Taxi_Driver_still_1.jpg">http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia /en/b/bf/Taxi_Driver_still_1.jpg</a>

jakeganz 2007-09-18 14:25:17

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

OH WAIT ITS IN PENNSYLVANIA

jenova-absolute 2007-09-18 14:30:22

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.

SilentWings 2007-09-18 14:39:14

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!

herblin 2007-09-18 15:37:15

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!

Badflameday 2007-09-18 15:49:42

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.

MorrowDays 2007-09-18 16:02:41

lol, NG health plan :)

kodiakclock 2007-09-18 16:36:36

Sell weed out the back tom.

Badflameday 2007-09-18 16:48:11

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

Tystarr 2007-09-18 17:06:12

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.

newgiez 2007-09-18 17:53:21

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

QuasarProductions 2007-09-18 18:49:11

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

steph2568 2007-09-18 18:50:37

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!

Sunglasses 2007-09-18 18:55:15

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

Vengeance01 2007-09-18 19:08:11

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.

SuperiorGhostgamer 2007-09-18 20:54:44

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