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.
Hi there! In case you didn't know, I created newgrounds. No, it wasn't made by some giant company - just some dumb kid who now has help. I also co-founded the Behemoth; we made Alien Hominid and Castle Crashers. Icon by Pegosho, banner by OmenaKettu.
Age 46, Male
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Drexel
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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.
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.
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.
Imacow
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.