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164

So I'm the owner of a small retro game store. I've been a gamer and collector of games and electronics my whole life. While growing up I was some what poor, I learned how to fix things when they broke instead of buy new.

About three years ago my hobby of collecting and repairing exploded. It started taking over my small man cave and spilled over into the apartment, which was already small enough. I talked with my landlord and was able to get an amazing deal on the store front right under my apartment (it hadn't been rented out in years anyway, so something is better than nothing).

And so my hobby shop was born.

Took me about a year to get everything all squared way and setup.

Well within that time frame my wife and I have had another kid, and my oldest just started school.

I still work a 9-5 to make sure bills are paid and I would work in the store after that.

About a half year ago my oldest says to me "Dad, you work a lot. I miss you." Ouch... right in the feels.

So I cut back to having my store open only 3 days a week. One of them being Saturday, one of my days off from the 9-5. So I really only got 1 day off a week.

Within that half a year I've done a lot of thinking about the whole business.

The last two years have been spent pretty much every hour of the day inside. I didn't get out camping at all this summer which I love to do. In fact, we only made it to the lake a few times.

I want my summers and weekends back. I want to spend time with my kids.

So, I'm closing my business.

It's bitter sweet really. I get to spend more time with my kids, but I really enjoyed running the business. I got to do what I love and make money doing it. My customers are the fucking best.

But in the end, family comes first. I only get so many years where they want to spend time with me. I'll probably reopen once they hit teenage years and want nothing to do with me.

Sorry about the wall of text and thanks to anyone who read it all and got this far. It's just something I've been dealing with the last week or two and just needed to get it out.

Tldr: Closing the business so I can spend more time with my family.

I'm gonna pour myself another drink here and listen to some tunes.

Cheers

So I'm the owner of a small retro game store. I've been a gamer and collector of games and electronics my whole life. While growing up I was some what poor, I learned how to fix things when they broke instead of buy new. About three years ago my hobby of collecting and repairing exploded. It started taking over my small man cave and spilled over into the apartment, which was already small enough. I talked with my landlord and was able to get an amazing deal on the store front right under my apartment (it hadn't been rented out in years anyway, so something is better than nothing). And so my hobby shop was born. Took me about a year to get everything all squared way and setup. Well within that time frame my wife and I have had another kid, and my oldest just started school. I still work a 9-5 to make sure bills are paid and I would work in the store after that. About a half year ago my oldest says to me "Dad, you work a lot. I miss you." Ouch... right in the feels. So I cut back to having my store open only 3 days a week. One of them being Saturday, one of my days off from the 9-5. So I really only got 1 day off a week. Within that half a year I've done a lot of thinking about the whole business. The last two years have been spent pretty much every hour of the day inside. I didn't get out camping at all this summer which I love to do. In fact, we only made it to the lake a few times. I want my summers and weekends back. I want to spend time with my kids. So, I'm closing my business. It's bitter sweet really. I get to spend more time with my kids, but I really enjoyed running the business. I got to do what I love and make money doing it. My customers are the fucking best. But in the end, family comes first. I only get so many years where they want to spend time with me. I'll probably reopen once they hit teenage years and want nothing to do with me. Sorry about the wall of text and thanks to anyone who read it all and got this far. It's just something I've been dealing with the last week or two and just needed to get it out. Tldr: Closing the business so I can spend more time with my family. I'm gonna pour myself another drink here and listen to some tunes. Cheers

(post is archived)

[–] • 4 pts

Decades ago I had to sell my business because my partner was an idiot.

I fucking loved it.

I feel for you. Family is the most important thing.

[–] [deleted] • 3 pts

my partner was an idiot.

Yeah that's what kept me away from doing this with other people. I've learned a lot from my older brother who's owned a few businesses (which I've helped him run a couple of them). A lot of broken friendships over money and "power". I never want to make those mistakes myself.

[–] • 3 pts

That has got to be tough. Good for you committing to spend more time for your family and do the things you love.

[–] [deleted] • 2 pts

Thanks, it's been tough. But in the end my love for my kids trumps the love for video games.

[–] • 3 pts

Man, that is a roller coaster of emotion, I feel for you. I closed a business myself for very different reasons. However I can relate to your pain. Just thinking about it my chest hurts. Someday I hope you get back too it. I also hope you have great times with your kids while they grow up. I can't imagine how hard it would be to choose to do that. I didn't have a choice so it was easy.

[–] [deleted] • 2 pts

My chest has been hurting since my daughter told me she misses me. It was the catalyst that led to me deciding to close the store.

I only told my wife a day or two ago that I plan to close. She didn't like the idea. After laying all the cards out on the table she completely understands. Still doesn't like it (neither do I) but it truly is for the best.

I plan on making up for lost time here. My kids will be sick of me before the end of the year ;)

[–] • 3 pts

Well that sounds like a good damn plan too me, if your kids are not sick of you, then your are doing it wrong. Admittedly My kids are not sick of me but they damn well should be. I wish you the best of luck. I wish you a good luck with your kids.

[–] [deleted] • 2 pts

You made the right decision. The time with your kids is going to fly by. Before you know what it, you and your wife will be empty nesters with plenty of time for whatever you wish to pursue.

[–] [deleted] • 1 pt

I hope you sell it to someone who will carry on your torch. Am saddened to hear another place like this is closing the door for good..

At any rate, you've made the right choice for yourself and family's sake.

[–] • 1 pt

Have some fun bro... don't sweat it... cuz yolo... lol

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1111

[–] • 1 pt

Is it possible to have it all?

Don't close the business 100%. Just do it our of your man cave as a hobby, only accepting work you can handle. Raise prices (you said business was good) to back off demand. Be choosier with what you work on. Give yourself X hours per week for that business and the rest for family.

Based on my experience family time is highly variable with kids having their own lives too, so this gives you a fallback for when kids are at sleepovers etc too.

Just my two cents.

[–] [deleted] • 1 pt

Thanks for the advice. This is kind of what I plan on doing. I'll be doing sales via a website (that I have yet to even start) and advertising repairs locally on craigslist and social media.

[–] • 1 pt

No problem! Not sure if you are business savvy or not, but about the raising prices thing: You don't want to turn away business, but you want less business. So raising prices would do that for you. You can always blame the price hike on Obummer/Drumpf depending on how you see that sort of thing.

[–] [deleted] • 0 pt

Not sure if you are business savvy or not

I like to think I'm business savvy. Grew up with parents that ran a business, managed at a few different jobs, and I'm an accountant at a multi-million dollar company right now (hence why I don't want to quit the day job).

You can always blame the price hike on Obummer/Drumpf

I tend to leave politics out of my business. There's a few costumers that have become friends over the years and I talk a lot more freely with them. But I've seen what can happen to businesses that express a political opinion.

I'll probably limit what kind of repairs I'll be doing as well. Kind of like the difference between a full auto shop and a quick lube.

Idk, there's a bit I have to think about and plan. I'm not going to close till I have a webpage setup and have told enough of my regulars.

[–] • 1 pt

You're making the right decision. Not only is spending time with your family clearly the correct thing, but I also don't see retail video game / media stores being around much longer; not when all media can be electronically distributed. Best of luck to you!

[–] [deleted] • 1 pt

but I also don't see retail video game / media stores being around much longer

Agreed. I made my profits off of repairs. However, I also focused on retro games... also collectors items. Business was good, which is part of the problem. If it wasn't doing well it would be easy to close.

[–] • 1 pt

Hey man, you were successful, but knew when to call it quits. There's nothing more humble than that.