- Sep 26, 2000
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For those who don't want to read the whole thing the short version is that in my town of about 8,000 people this company is setting up 15 gaming computers on the "main drag" where rents are highest in the belief that the "gaming center" will generate revenues and that people will be drawn into the center and then buy computers there.
Anyone seen or heard of any company doing this? Any opinions on its success?
The full story:
A local computer dealer is set to complete a major expansion that aims to position it as an online gaming hub for the region.
Optima Computers has spent the last few months renovating a storefront and office space at 843 Putney Road, and will open its new location on Saturday, Nov. 19. The new location is much larger than Optima's current store on Clark Street. CEO Josh Garza said he has not decided what to do with the Clark Street location, but it will remain open for now.
"Some companies move, and all they leave is a cardboard sign," he said. "For us, it's all about face-to-face interaction."
The highest profile part of the renovation, done at a cost of about $400,000, is a gaming center called "The Gaming Zone." It features 15 Internet-wired computers, all customized for gaming, and four flat screen televisions with a choice of video game consoles.
Optima's new location will feature an expanded retail space, which is also a wireless Internet hot spot, along with office and research areas. Every item in the gaming center will be for sale, Garza said.
Even the vacuum cleaner, a robotic model which can memorize the layout of a room, is available for purchase.
Optima will hire seven new employees to support the expansion. Some of them will work in the gaming center and retail, but others will work in office spaces.
One of the main reasons for the added office space is that Optima is branching out in their consulting capacity. They have hired a new graphic designer, and will have more manpower to create Web sites for customers.
Chief operating officer Gregg Noble said the goal of that part of the project is to make high quality Web design available to small business owners without a lot of capital.
The beauty of the project, Garza said, is it allows Optima to offer "one stop shopping," for computer and information technology needs without losing its conection to the local community.
"It all fits together here because its under one roof," he said.
Garza gave the example of a parent coming in to bring a child to the gaming center, which he said provides a much-needed space for kids and young adults to hang out.
While at Optima, the parent might take some time to ask about home or office computer equipment, or inquire about Web design, Garza said.
He predicted that the improvements would allow his company to compete with any other computer retailer in the region.
"There's a whole different level of service here," he said. "People know that the guy selling them a computer knows what he's talking about."
Anyone seen or heard of any company doing this? Any opinions on its success?
The full story:
A local computer dealer is set to complete a major expansion that aims to position it as an online gaming hub for the region.
Optima Computers has spent the last few months renovating a storefront and office space at 843 Putney Road, and will open its new location on Saturday, Nov. 19. The new location is much larger than Optima's current store on Clark Street. CEO Josh Garza said he has not decided what to do with the Clark Street location, but it will remain open for now.
"Some companies move, and all they leave is a cardboard sign," he said. "For us, it's all about face-to-face interaction."
The highest profile part of the renovation, done at a cost of about $400,000, is a gaming center called "The Gaming Zone." It features 15 Internet-wired computers, all customized for gaming, and four flat screen televisions with a choice of video game consoles.
Optima's new location will feature an expanded retail space, which is also a wireless Internet hot spot, along with office and research areas. Every item in the gaming center will be for sale, Garza said.
Even the vacuum cleaner, a robotic model which can memorize the layout of a room, is available for purchase.
Optima will hire seven new employees to support the expansion. Some of them will work in the gaming center and retail, but others will work in office spaces.
One of the main reasons for the added office space is that Optima is branching out in their consulting capacity. They have hired a new graphic designer, and will have more manpower to create Web sites for customers.
Chief operating officer Gregg Noble said the goal of that part of the project is to make high quality Web design available to small business owners without a lot of capital.
The beauty of the project, Garza said, is it allows Optima to offer "one stop shopping," for computer and information technology needs without losing its conection to the local community.
"It all fits together here because its under one roof," he said.
Garza gave the example of a parent coming in to bring a child to the gaming center, which he said provides a much-needed space for kids and young adults to hang out.
While at Optima, the parent might take some time to ask about home or office computer equipment, or inquire about Web design, Garza said.
He predicted that the improvements would allow his company to compete with any other computer retailer in the region.
"There's a whole different level of service here," he said. "People know that the guy selling them a computer knows what he's talking about."
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