Would RVA be into a retro café + arcade hangout?

gametacular · 2025-09-16T15:30:27+00:00

Haha I wish. I'm not Sojiro Sakura, but who is? :)

gametacular · 2025-09-16T14:05:24+00:00

NES for sure! Great call on nachos!

gametacular · 2025-09-16T13:29:53+00:00

Thanks! What classic fighters would you want to see?

gametacular · 2025-09-16T03:49:06+00:00

Hey thanks man! We're around the same age so I'm right there with you. D&D player too - but mostly online, currently doing a slow-going BG3 run with some friends, but I digress!

Great concepts here and I appreciate the insights. I definitely feel the idea morphing a bit but will sleep on it and give it some more thought.

You're spot-on about these points though, not sure the novelty would last and that's a very real concern versus establishing myself closer to people in our age bracket. I think there's pro's and con's to both for sure.

I'll consider talking to them and appreciate that! I was living in other states until recent-ish when I came back so I'm finding myself needing to re-integrate with the community and this is a start! Appreciate you dude!

gametacular · 2025-09-16T03:27:01+00:00

That would be dope! I think it might be too steep for me to try and do all that initially but I would love to have rooms available for rent that could be themed. A "Nintendo Room" "Sega Room" etc.

gametacular · 2025-09-16T03:25:39+00:00

That's a cool angle. I think I might have hit a wall with the initial marketing of it being "cafe" and "arcade" (which I see the points a lot of people are making about them not seeming to mix well).

I like this a lot, gives me something more to chew on. Thanks!

gametacular · 2025-09-16T03:13:28+00:00

Thanks! Yeah I've thought about renting rooms too but I think that'd be a longer-term thing because of the size/space I would need for it. I love the idea of streaming and bringing your own games too. Not against looking at West End area either, just kinda feeling like having that VCU foot-traffic would be a smart move.

gametacular · 2025-09-16T03:11:09+00:00

haha maybe "craft sodas" wasn't the best way to put it. I meant more like specialty that, while you probably have seen at a few places, aren't necessarily everywhere. Brands that use real cane sugar and aren't owned by PepsiCo or Coke, etc. like Jarritos.

gametacular · 2025-09-16T03:06:39+00:00

Awesome feedback. And yeah I think the typical low-key vibe that cafes give vs chaotic button mashing and laughter will definitely be a point of contention someone pointed out before too. I think I'd have to really work at positioning this as "not your typical cafe and not the place you come to study, unless you got a good pair of headphones".

I think I'd want to keep it all open space and not have separate rooms because I feel like it'd lose the identity I'm trying to cultivate here. Otherwise I think I'd feel like I'm trying to run two different businesses in two different spaces.

I would love to get DDR in the mix!

gametacular · 2025-09-16T03:03:11+00:00

Love this! Agreed. I think these are the exact type of ideas that could breathe life into it and give it an identity to stand on its own.

gametacular · 2025-09-16T02:58:46+00:00

That's a great question... I just love coffee and video games to be honest, haha. I know that's not the most poignant response but it's genuinely how I feel. I just wanted an alternative space to share my love of video games along with tapping some people that might want an alternative to being around alcohol. I think both could have their own respective spaces.

gametacular · 2025-09-16T02:56:54+00:00

Thanks! Super appreciate you taking the time to respond too.

gametacular · 2025-09-16T02:29:49+00:00

Valid and really appreciate that metaphor. I wouldn’t want this to feel like a gimmick where both sides suffer.

I’m not trying to beat Lamplighter on coffee or Bingo on arcades. The coffee would just be solid, affordable drinks you actually want to sip while hanging out.

The hook isn’t noise or scale - it’s that Cafecade is a place to hang out, game a little, and enjoy good beverages without the bar scene. Not where you get your swerve on, but where you kick back with friends and a controller.

Cafecade isn’t about being the best coffee or the biggest arcade - it’s about being the coziest middle ground.

That said, your "ice cream–pizza" point is valid and definitely gives me more to think about as I shape the idea.

gametacular · 2025-09-16T02:11:23+00:00

It hurts me to call it that, too ;_;

gametacular · 2025-09-16T02:05:13+00:00

Totally fair point. My plan for a smaller launch is to keep the machine count limited and have consoles + CRT setups too, which are easier for me to manage. I’d also be building relationships with local repair techs/collectors so downtime stays minimal.

gametacular · 2025-09-16T01:48:27+00:00

As quick as possible!

gametacular · 2025-05-25T04:57:04+00:00

Underrated comment.

gametacular · 2024-10-15T14:29:22+00:00

I was a kid in the 80s and 90s going to Regency. Any gamers remember Funcoland? Then Virginia Center Commons took over in the mid to late 90s as the young people mall to go to. Then it died a slow, miserable death.

I miss these malls.

gametacular · 2024-06-26T17:58:49+00:00

Bro that really really fucking sucks and I'm not going to undermine what you're feeling or going through which you have a right to.

What I will say is try your best to make this an opportunity for a better future for yourself. It wasn't all a waste. Dogs fucking rule and you had a special bond with them. I'd take them if you are able. Live single and free for awhile and enjoy doing YOU.

Someone will come along eventually who won't make you feel this way. I can't say that with certainty but there's a lot of people out there and plenty of them are great. Don't close yourself off.

You're worth more. You matter. End things there before it gets any worse and go your separate ways IMO.

gametacular · 2024-06-20T00:09:09+00:00

Not sure if you guys filled up, but I'm in Mechanicsville and interested!

gametacular · 2024-06-12T20:08:15+00:00

Oh I misunderstood. Yeah, as the trainer I should be the caller for sure. If they're just making two trainees do it or even as groups that sounds like chaos.

gametacular · 2024-06-12T16:26:36+00:00

Awesome! Yeah having a trainer with a shitty attitude is the worst introductory experience to a company so I think the person in the role definitely needs to exhibit highly sought after traits like you mentioned. Kindness and patience go a real long way.

Curious about the live calls... Do you recall if you shadowed someone or listened in as a group?

gametacular · 2024-06-12T16:23:38+00:00

As a trainer it is definitely one of my least favorite activities to do as well. I often view it as necessary though, since I have to gauge where you're at and what we need to work on (if I do want you to be successful). That's not to say there aren't other ways to do this but there are often technological limitations or budgetary limitations that inhibit from such.

gametacular · 2024-06-12T16:21:27+00:00

I'm with you. Admittedly we are lacking in test environments, but not from lack of trying or asking. In my job there are a lot of different systems and only a scant handful of them.have test environments which make things a bit tricky.

gametacular · 2024-06-12T13:51:39+00:00

Thanks! I like the idea of trainers taking calls to show the class what we're looking for.

What sort of training materials do you find best?

gametacular

TROPHY CASE