xaldibik 2007-09-26 22:08:22

I like the idea of a NG store, I'd love a place to go and buy something different or weird without having to go to something like Hot Topic(Which really is just playing off the goth fad more and more).

Also, the first thing that comes to mind when I hear about a newgrounds store, is DVD's. Not main stream, but flash from the site, maybe making a DVD of the best flash from the previous two weeks? Or just some awesome flash from the history of newgrounds. This could draw attention to newgrounds, and maybe some individual artists. I defiantly see more people showing off DVD's of flash, rather than going to some website to show it off.

Though, I'd hope to see the DVD's on the website if that ever went into action. Living in Alaska, I'd never be able to get down there and buy them from the store. Of course, I'm not sure how well they'd sell on newgrounds, since you can just go watch the flash on the website. Maybe contact some of the better artists to do longer flashes for a newgrounds DVD? Anyway, that's just something I always thought would be cool.

BlueFlameSkulls 2007-09-27 00:13:10

I don't know. It seems good to have merchandise but that's where the problem starts, it would not appeal to real life people. It's like when I go into a store and see DVDs of a tv show I've never heard of and neither has anyone else. If I was really interested I would leave the store, go research the tv show, see where I could watch it and come to a conclusion whether I like it or not.

Also I didn't catch what you would be selling. I would leave this for a year or two, get more money in that sea of cash you have and ask again and see if this site has more notoriety.

I would prefer it if you could include more merch on here as I'm sure most people like the idea of buying it at the internet rather than looking all through the shopping centre.

CarnageSupreme 2007-09-27 05:22:12

If you build it, they (we) will come. If I lived in PA, I would prolly ask if I could be your repairman.

MCU 2007-09-27 16:19:10

Yeah, there's lots of people who know NG, and have an account.
But just how many of those are regulars?
And how many of those live in Glenside?
Exactly. Not many people would come along because they don't know these games, these action figures and the shirts aren't popular brands.
The DVD's, yeah I suppose would be ok, but lots of people wouldn't bother coming along to buy some DVD of a flash they don't know!
Personally, I wouldn't take the risk.

Jammer3 2007-09-27 16:54:39

It sounds like a great idea. I would probably visit sometime and I was even thinking of taking up flash even though I dont know much about it because newgrounds is so great. Also, it could turn up being a money pit but it could also turn up being something that launches Newgrounds to new grounds lol. Expanding into something bigger. Something you would not have expected it to have become maybe like it has today to some extent.

shac9 2007-09-27 16:59:25

ho do u make a websie like this awsome one

PlatinumWarrior 2007-09-27 19:24:13

Aren't you rich from the ad revenue?

Wooblers 2007-09-27 19:27:40

Open a newgrounds prank shop,complete with itching power,stink bombs,and other funny shit.

Ceti 2007-09-27 19:40:59

Don't do it! It may seem great but after a while you'll have to sell newgrounds to a gay porn sie because rent is due adn you are bankrupt. I say neigh sir. NEIGH!

keatnisher 2007-09-27 22:38:05

to be awaited...?

HogWashSoup 2007-09-28 16:25:39

God bless america.

nuhvok01 2007-09-28 17:52:17

Hell I would happily work at the store. Im 18, I have work experience and references, Ill work for minimum wage, and I can work full time. I hope the store does well!

frankay213 2007-09-28 20:43:32

do it dude! i'm in hatboro, so i would deffinetly shop there. maybe i would even do my christmas shopping there

RSQViper 2007-09-28 22:23:50

Well, $50,000 a year on the low end is a huge commitment and chance without a doubt.

One thing, though, is an initial interest would have to be focused on your store. If there was any way to get the local news interested in an opening then it could pay off.

Also, there are initial overhead things. Cash registers, shelves, signs, etc.

The store sounds like something I would liken to Kevin Smith's "Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash" since it would focus, I would imagine, on Newgrounds and Newgrounds artists.

Also, to keep in mind, are other things you can sell that are Flash/web based. Tablets, keyboards, etc. It adds to overhead, but also could add to store traffic.

I'd love to say go all out and do it, but a specialty store of this sort is a tough, tough call. Especially since I have no idea how much you make NOW on merch.

In any case, I do hope whatever decision you make is the right one. So, best of luck to you!

Gi-go 2007-09-29 10:17:16

I'm a bit late to respond, but...

I think its a cool idea under some circumstances. Luis was saying NG isnt ready to be mainstream, but I think the store would just be a new type of branch of NG. I dont think you would have to know about NG.com to shop there. I that as in, you wouldnt just seell things that only appealed to NG/flash people, which I think is what you mean anyways.

I personally think It would be awesome if it was an internet cafe type of place, that also sold NG merchandise, video games, flash dvds and reg dvds.

And if you guys interacted with the customers in a "Im interested in the same stuff as you" kind of way, rather than the normal internet cafe "Im making sure you dont steal my shit" attitude.

Good luck Tom!

zoed 2007-09-29 11:33:45

yeah bro sure it sounds like a great idea....just keep it Newgroundish....dont make it all big corp-weWannaMakeAlotOfDopeBySellingCr apThatIsDangerousAnd...stuff... otherwise...GL mate ^^

McPaper 2007-09-29 12:58:18

I do not like the Idea of Newgrounds opening a store. It is a internet flash site, I like it that way.

LiveBreatheTom 2007-09-29 13:07:00

It sounds like a great idea the way you describe it, but there's always the what if kind of questions. Since you don't want to stock NG stuff in other stores, have you considered the possibility of stocking other items in your stores?

Bringing in foot traffic would be a major part of business, so having a variety of things would be a good idea. Video games, posters, music etc could help bring in foot traffic. So would having a vending machine or two, or maybe just a few chairs outside with a wireless signal for laptops?

If you managed to cater to a variety of age groups to attract street traffic and still stayed true to the main goal of having NG special stuff, you could probably pull it off. I'd be willing to have a few more adds in different areas if it meant you guys being able to pull off a successful store.

The ads though, how do you decide the adds? Do you look at prices or popularity of the advertisements you allow on NG site? Perhaps if you found some different adds for sites that are more likely to get traffic from NG members and thus pay more, you could gain extra income for the site. Not to sound rude but I don't know how many ppl on the site want to actually learn Kegel Women Exercises.

LilFugitive 2007-09-29 13:07:15

I think it should come, but then you would need to put more adds or so to fund it. As long the adds won't be popups and/or adult it's fine

condawg 2007-09-29 15:50:34

Fucking do it!
I'm an hour from there... My brother could drive me every now and again, and I'd buy a bunch of shit, no doubt.
Also, I'm sure that alot of people would volunteer to work there if they know the site... I would, but I'm too far away.
You could also ship out orders... Put most of the stuff from in the shop into the online store, and employees could box and ship out orders every week.
Also, people going could meet you and the other staff.. That would be a HUGE fucking insentive.
And once a year, we could have the Newgrounds meetup AT the store.
That could bring in alot of potential customers left and right, and the popularity of the store on that day would no doubtedly attract walkers outside.
You could probably get alot of your yearly revenue just from that one day.

Tom, I think you should do it. Not only as a fan am I saying this, but I think it would be a good move financially.
You can even run more ads in order to pay for it... Most of us won't mind, as long as they're not pop ups.

You could also have like, an internet cafe part of the store once you have a steady rate of good income from it. I'll bet you could even get some people to donate computers... They don't have to be incredibly fast, just get a good internet connection going into the store.

I say you should at least give it a test-run and see how it goes.
If you do open it, make sure to post a date.
I'll be at the doors.