Hi, this is kofiend

[kofriend]

Hi Andy,
I wanted to make a suggestion. Please consider moving your establishment to Flushing, NY for the following reasons. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flushing_Queens)

Demographics
(A) "Flushing is a thriving business and residential area, with large Chinese and Korean communities. The neighborhood is 55% Asian American and contains the largest ethnic Chinese community in the New York metropolitan area, surpassing even Manhattan's Chinatown. Flushing also consists of Hispanic American, African American, Indian and Southeast Asian communities of significant size, as well as long time European American residents"
Queens is the most ethnically diverse county in all the US. Many surrounding neighborhoods also have large Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean and Japanese communities. With a population of 2.2 million it is the second most populous borough in New York City (behind Brooklyn).

(B) Target age groups:
There are 3 colleges in Flushing, countless more within minutes of Flushing. There are also 5 major high schools in Flushing with countless more within minutes.
6 videogame stores are on or around Main Street, including a Gamestop and National Console Support, famed for being a major importer of games, hardware and toys. Surrounding neighborhoods also have many videogame stores. To my knowledge, there are 3 hobby/toy shops on or around Main Street. These shops sell imported model kits, RC cars and card games among other cool things. Flushing only has 1 comicbook shop but a number can be found on or off of Northern Blvd, one of the main streets linking Flushing to the Majority of Queens. Many different hobby shops can be found the same way. There are also Countless PC/Manga rooms all across Flushing. Another interesting thing is one of the hobby shops has two arcade machines that has competition for KOF(MVS) games. A video store minutes from there has 3 arcade machines that also has competition for KOF(MVS).

Gamestop
(http://www.gamestop.com)

National Console Support
(http://www.ncsx.com)

Transportation
"Flushing is a major transportation hub with major air, rail, and bus links located within a half-mile (800 m) radius of downtown. The New York City Subway Flushing Line terminal is at Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue, with the Flushing Main Street of the Long Island Rail Road's Port Washington Branch located one block away. Over a dozen local bus routes serve Flushing with destinations in Nassau County by MTA Long Island Bus, the Bronx by MTA Bus, and Jamaica and other Queens neighborhoods by MTA New York City Transit buses. La Guardia Airport is located 10 minutes away by car or bus. The Van Wyck Expressway, Whitestone Expressway, Grand Central Parkway and Long Island Expressway service Flushing". Flushing has many roads that lead to major highways and bridges going anywhere in the Tristate Area.
Also, Within 5 minutes from the 7 train is the Chinese bus company that will go directly from Flushing to Chinatown in Manhattan, 2 minutes from Chintown Fair. As you can tell, Flushing is very easy to get to.

7 Train
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRT_Flushing_Line)

Long Island Rail Road
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Island_Rail_Road)

Attractions/Businesses
(A) "The intersection of Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue has become a center for Korean and Chinese culture and small business. Large department stores are located on or near the intersection as well."

(B) Flushing is also known for its selection of authentic, reasonably priced ethnic restaurants.

(C) Theres at least 3 Chinese/Korean malls on Main Street.

(D) USTA National Tennis Center

(E) Shea Stadium

(F) Flushing Meadows-Corona Park features the Queens Museum of Art, The New York Hall of Science, and the Queens Zoo.

(G) Queens Botanical Garden

(H) Flushing Mall; they have an arcade but its poorly maintained

( I ) There are two new buildings being built on or around Main Street.

Crime
There are 2 police station within 2 blocks of Main Street. Theres Police on every block on Main Street. Enough said.

Area
"The borough is often considered one of the more suburban boroughs of New York City. Neighborhoods in eastern Queens have a look and feel similar to the bordering suburbs of western Nassau County. In its western and central sections, Queens is home to many urban neighborhoods and several central business districts."

I'd like for you to visit Flushing and check out the Main Street area. Zoning, foot-traffic and permits wouldn't be a problem, rent might be. But then I think of ALL the businesses on Main Street, and know there is no way the businesses would be paying outrageous prices either.
For these reasons, I'd like you to please consider. Thank you for your time.


Jonathan Seong
kofriend

[Junior G-Man]

Queens Botanical Garden????

I am so there!!!!!!!

[Aaron]

I think we shouldn't, 2 reasons. Andy is putting alot of money in this place. and 2, YOu just want it closer to your house. Thats is jsut selfish.

[kofriend]

Thats a very small way of looking at it Aaron, I wouldn' t sling names on that kinda assumption.

Have you ever been to Flushing? Do you know how crowded it is? I've posted all the facts that make it a good suggestion.

Hey, why don't you assume for 2 seconds that I want TGA to see huge success? Why don't you assume I legitimately think Andy is one of the few people in the community actually trying to contribute? Why don't you assume for 2 seconds that I've heard and have tried my best to understand the sacrifices that have been made by Andy, Chieh and the TGA staff?

The best assumption you came up with is "YOu just want it closer to your house. Thats is jsut selfish"? Then this is pointless. I said it was a suggestion and lets leave it at that.

[Aaron]

I realize that, Not trying to be mean, All im saying. Is that its how i looked at it. I dont mean any disrespect. I understand the views, they seem good and helpful, Also flushing seems like a good place to be and have a businese like TGA. I was more just being me, I look at things backwards and assume dumb things. Sorry to disrespect. But for the community, Winchendon accualy has a school made primarly of chinese, japanese, koreans, and other ethnic backgrounds. Only reason moving would be a bad thing is Andy is putting alot of money into renovating this building hes brought back from hell. hes getting new AC almost done. and soon to be getting BRAND NEW bowling lanes. And after that in the future, A new kitchen area.

But also again, When i said "thats just selfish", I ment it to be more of a sarcastic voice and playful manner. So I do appoliogize for 2 things now. My rudeness and my terrible spelling. Im more of a playful voice spoken person and personality. Sorry if it came off rude. Please for give me KoFriend, and other members of TGA and Andy.


Also now i feel bad, because I gave my self a bad 1st view to a new member of the forums

[Catastrophe]

Imagine if TGA were already located in Flushing Queens and someone were to post on your forum that TGA should move to western Massachusetts, over two hours away. For you that would mean no more visits to TGA. Can you imagine why I'm insulted that you asked? (But rather than start a confrontation, I just ignored you. Now I'm backing up Aaron.)

The following things can be moved:

the games
the events

The following things cannot be moved:

the new building
the owners (they live near Boston)
the regular customers

At the risk of sounding really corny, guess which ones really define TGA? That's why a move will never happen. TGA lost some customers during the first (forced) move from Woonsocket. A move from Winchendon to NYC would totally screw over the Massachusetts regulars who have been a part of TGA ever since it was a rev-share in a coffee shop. 5 million of MA's 6 million residents live on the eastern side of the state. We're at least 4 hours away from Flushing Queens! And we make up most of TGA's business. Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine (Power Up!) would be out of luck as well. That's not going to happen.

To be fair, CT, RI, NJ, and NY would probably be equally happy to have have TGA closer. It's not that I'm not thinking of you guys. But why ditch the current group of regulars for a new group of regulars? The people who drive 2-6 hours each way are awesome, but they don't outnumber the regulars. You know what they say about "Make new friends, but keep the old..."

Maybe someday TGA will be a chain and there will be a store south of Massachusetts again. I don't know if Andy wants that or not, I think Andy likes having "his store", but I think that's the only chance you've got. Business-wise a second store would make sense because TGA has pretty much maxed out their games and their service. It's just the location that is keeping some people away and others from visiting more often. And maybe NYC would be a good spot for a second location? But I'm sure that TGA would never close their first store to do it.

You guys used to have a good arcade. Broadway City, right? I was there once. What happened to it? Is the problem that the arcades in your area suck, and that's why you need TGA to move there? Or does NY have high operating costs, low demand, and bunch of 'red tape' that makes operating an entertainment facility difficult? Woonsocket was crowded but that didn't increase walk-in traffic one bit.

[kofriend]

Imagine if TGA were already located in Flushing Queens and someone were to post on your forum that TGA should move to western Massachusetts, over two hours away. For you that would mean no more visits to TGA. Can you imagine why I'm insulted that you asked? (But rather than start a confrontation, I just ignored you. Now I'm backing up Aaron.)

Again, please don't assume I'm selfish. I know how to see past myself.
But since you asked, I would support whatever is better for TGA(the business). Of course the regulars are what kept it going and we'll get to that in a minute, let me finish addressing your points(the ones that can be debated without using Andy's time).

At the risk of sounding really corny, guess which ones really define TGA? That's why a move will never happen. TGA lost some customers during the first (forced) move from Woonsocket. A move from Winchendon to NYC would totally screw over the Massachusetts regulars who have been a part of TGA ever since it was a rev-share in a coffee shop. 5 million of MA's 6 million residents live on the eastern side of the state. We're at least 4 hours away from Flushing Queens! And we make up most of TGA's business. Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine (Power Up!) would be out of luck as well. That's not going to happen.

Nothing sounds corny, this is something you feel passionate about and I wouldn't possibly understand the time you or anyone else have invested from visiting a few times. If anything, I'm out of line for saying any of this but I'm trying to speak from a neutral view of how well TGA would do in Flushing, so please understand that and I wanna thank you for kindly taking the time to address my post.

For suggesting something that might OR might not be better for TGA, looking like a douche is worth it(knowingly putting myself in a position where this can only be taken negatively).
I'm not hiding behind the fact that this is a "Suggestions forum", but keep in mind, thats all it is.

To be fair, CT, RI, NJ, and NY would probably be equally happy to have have TGA closer. It's not that I'm not thinking of you guys. But why ditch the current group of regulars for a new group of regulars? The people who drive 2-6 hours each way are awesome, but they don't outnumber the regulars. You know what they say about "Make new friends, but keep the old..."


A) Every business takes risks to be successful, but if the rewards outweigh the risks, and things flow in that direction, then it was worth it(of course keeping in mind that nothing ever goes like planned). Theres no way that can be said without sounding cold, but understand I'm speaking from another perspective so its not meant as a personal insult to any of the regulars.

B) The reason why theres more regulars than out of towners, is exactly what you wrote.
Keeping old friends, is definetly important, but catering to just that might not be the best way to have new blood join the scene(I'll explain why that was said with a narrow perspective below).

If you aren't aware, lets look at it from the coldest point of view for a minute.

* Alot of the scene is made up with the same old faces, with rare new blood. Thats the state of things sadly.

* Lets say each regular can guarantee a 3~5 year commitment, when that time is up, they get sick of games or move on with other things in their life.

* New customers, can and will become the new regulars. Thats another 3~5 years your going to have that support, perhaps not the same quality but its something that'll have a positive effect on the business, quantity NY can provide.

Catering to your market is essential for a business, we all know this. However, at the same time you can't deny that a business needs new customers to survive. With Toyota sponsoring EVO for a second year, the scene is becoming more and more like a professional circuit. So with that in mind, lets be positive about the future players that this might appeal to.

Maybe someday TGA will be a chain and there will be a store south of Massachusetts again. I don't know if Andy wants that or not, I think Andy likes having "his store", but I think that's the only chance you've got. Business-wise a second store would make sense because TGA has pretty much maxed out their games and their service. It's just the location that is keeping some people away and others from visiting more often. And maybe NYC would be a good spot for a second location? But I'm sure that TGA would never close their first store to do it.

Right, and thats understood. If Andy decides to branch out, I'll be the first to support it through time, effort and resources. But this isn't the proper place to discuss my future plans, I'll speak with Andy about that when everything is set;)

You guys used to have a good arcade. Broadway City, right? I was there once. What happened to it? Is the problem that the arcades in your area suck, and that's why you need TGA to move there? Or does NY have high operating costs, low demand, and bunch of 'red tape' that makes operating an entertainment facility difficult? Woonsocket was crowded but that didn't increase walk-in traffic one bit.

A) No Idea, I do know Flushing had a huge arcade that went out of business. I've done my research.

1. New management
2. Poorly maintained hardware(as a result, no new customers and a pissed group of regulars).
3. Rising costs.

The last two reasons cycled itself disaster. The root problem being the first reason.

And for entertainment, don't take this offensively and not that its the biggest issue, but how on earth do you possibly think theres a higher demand than a SINGLE neighborhood thats over 55% asian american? Thats not even counting asians that aren't citizens. The New England area has a higher population density than the Tristate area, but Queens alone has 1/3 the population of all MA(the most populous New England state). Less than 10% of that figure is asian. And no, the theory isn't asians = arcades.

B) I understand that the longer this goes on, the more passionate you'll be getting. Please refrain from getting too offensive, I'm not half the man Andy or Gavin is so I'll say something back, you can count on it:)
The staff/locals are mighty quick to call people selfish or debating as if I'm taking that kinda position, and I can see how easily it would look that way. From the way this debate has been going, it doesn't seem the two of you can debate from a neutral position(which is good that your all for Andy, but I am too). And I can't really tell whos being more "selfish" from an outsider's view thats not involved in this debate. Catastrophe started out openly and changed the longer he wrote.
Thanks for rewarding my manners and suggestions with hostility.

C) Woonsocket isn't Flushing, two completely different demographics, two completely different animals.

D) I don't NEED TGA to move anywhere, I'll go wherever its at.

[Catastrophe]

Please refrain from getting too offensive, I'm not half the man Andy or Gavin is so I'll say something back, you can count on it:)Bring it. I'm not under any obligation to be nice either. The rules (which I can't find anywhere right now) probably say that I have to be decently nice, but I think I'm still allowed to tell you to fuck off. Feel free to discuss this with me in person next time you make the trip. I'm not hiding behind my Internets at all.

kofriend: If you aren't aware, lets look at it from the coldest point of view for a minute.
No problem. I'm a pretty cold guy.

kofriend: * Alot of the scene is made up with the same old faces, with rare new blood. Thats the state of things sadly.
Sadly? Yeah, my friends suck. We needs some new people up in here so that I can make some new friends. Wait.... no. One TGA regular recently told me (in private) that he/she was sad to see TGA get crowded. It used to be that you could leave your wallet on the DDR machine and no one would touch it because everyone was on a first name basis. But now, you go to TGA, you get bracelet #22 of the day, and you don't know 16 of those other people. He/she is right. I gave up on getting to know the fighters awhile ago. Now I can't even keep track of the Bemani players, and that's where I spend 100% of my time. (Not a bad thing.) You're ridiculously out of touch with TGA if you think that new customers are lacking.

kofriend: Lets say each regular can guarantee a 3~5 year commitment, when that time is up, they get sick of games or move on with other things in their life.
Harry gets bored of IIDX and takes up Counterstrike. Silver walks in one day and is like "OMG PIU AND UNLIMITED TOKENS!!!!!" New customers do become new regulars. And they all come from around here. The idea that TGA has to move around like a circus to get new customers is absurd. TGA is only "3~5" years old itself! A new location resets your reputation. You've got this whole new people = new money thing backwards. You are way overemphasizing the need for new customers. They are important and TGA is getting them. But it's not even remotely logical to move for them.

Obviously a second location would make everyone happy. That's probably the only thing we'll agree on. If Andy ever does do it then I'd be there on opening day too! But you might as well drop the suggestion to close the first store. TGA doesn't have to "take risks to be successful" or anything. They already are! TGA is 10/10 and 5-stars in Winchendon. Why give that up to be 10/10 and 5-stars somewhere else for another group of people? And that's assuming that everything works out. Worst case the move could kill TGA. In other words nothing on Earth is worth trading TGA for. Not even another TGA.

[kofriend]

Your points have been addressed in the previous posts. So ignoring that, All I heard was that your a tough guy.

Please don't indirectly threaten me. I don't take any form of a threat lightly, and you really don't know me.

[Junior G-Man]

http://cache.bordom.net/images/cb38cb5004473ea6ba5e8f8c2f602940.jpg

Now thats thats out of the way.

I'd like to see TGA open another store and Flushing sounds like a decent place to do it. It sounds like Andy would make a killing there and why not spread the amazing that is TGA around?

[Catastrophe]

Indirect threat? I'm not challenging you to a fist fight or anything. I'm just saying that I'm not the kind of person who acts tough behind the safety of the Internet but then acts differently in person. I'm not the least bit violent or "defensive." I don't raise my fists in response to words. Aaron was hardly antagonizing you and I'm not calling you out. You just seem to be out to get people.

I take offense to the way you're portraying me. You arrived out of no where and said things like: "Thats a very small way of looking at it Aaron, I wouldn' t sling names on that kinda assumption." and "Thanks for rewarding my manners and suggestions with hostility." You have no manners. Your reply to Aaron was inappropriate. I'm sorry there is no nice way to call you a troll. Besides talking down to Aaron and I, do you even know what you're saying? Saying that TGA needs new business to survive is like saying that TGA is going downhill. You also deemphasize the the support of TGA's regular customers. Your first post was fine. But you were very nasty in your replies.

You didn't talk about Aaron's point of Andy's investment in the building. That's a biggie. Since you ignored it, I decided to bring up how Andy already has all the old and new customers he can handle from Massachusetts already. Those are two very major points that you haven't answered yet. You say business is about taking risks? TGA already did! And now TGA is successful. TGA does not need to take more risks. There is nothing TGA could gain from moving to NYC. (Again, a new store is something different.) You need to stop acting threatened over nothing and get back to defending your suggestion.

[kofriend]

As far as Andy's investment goes, we agree on that.
But I also still believe Flushing has the potential to make the investment worth it, but its not like we disagreed on that point completely anyway, so we can leave it like that.

The truth is I don't visit TGA enough to know exactly what the situation is, from what your describing though, theres hardly even a situation. I really was under the impression that things WERE going downhill, so I was worried. I wasn't coming in with the intention to start something if thats the impression you had.


In a nutshell, this isn't one of those situations you pass off as a misunderstanding and it really wasn't(for the sake of ending things positively).
I was under the impression that TGA was in trouble and I was worried, the two of you didn't know I was under that impression. The posts had hints of that impression and I thought that was enough to let you know, I should of clarified more and you guys could of looked at it differently. It would of been even more rude to say outloud "TGA is in trouble right?". I don't claim to be superman but I have a nature to wanna help.

Being relieved this isn't ending in a more negative way, an exchange of ideas is always a great way to push forward and I'm glad we were able to discuss any of this.

[Aaron]

Ok, How about we end this on good terms. I love the suggestion, Seems awesome fore business. But bad for regulares and the sacrafices already made. Thats all we are saying so lets end this please. I started this, so now i may end this. Kofriend i understand you want the business of TGA to boom. But if you look at what really makes our place run, Its the love and respect we have from our regulares and long time partners. So If we lose them, We have to make a new repretation in a new comunity and try to find 30 or so regulars. Which may be VERY hard. I think this is all thats being said, in hostile type posts. Lets be friends, Shake hands(internet like) and not get so defensive over suggestions unless the sugestion is, lets get a wedding chaple in the bowling lanes. ok Thank you.

Also KoFriend you were in the Tougeki right?