All Entries in the "Retail" Category
Anthem Games: Card and Board Game Fun on a Budget
I recently had a chance to interview James Caudill, owner of Anthem Games (5305 Ehrlich Road, Suite 13, Tampa, FL 33625, (813) 333-5386) to discuss his boardgame and card game store and how he’s bringing a bit of low-cost fun to Tampa. He puts together programs and organized events that give local enthusiasts something to do while meeting up with others who enjoy these games.
1. With the economy taking a freefall, lots of people are looking for things to do that are low cost and still fun. How much does it cost to have fun in your facility?
It ranges from free board game nights on Tuesdays and Thursdays, to $5-12 Magic tournaments, all the way up to building a new Warhammer army, which could cost a couple hundred dollars. I think hobby gaming offers something to people with every budget.
2. Obviously there’s some startup costs to being involved in these games. What’s the minimum cost a person might have in getting started? What if they become more advanced?
A role-playing game, such as Dungeons and Dragons is pretty clear. The price is on the box or the book. D&D can scale up a bit with miniatures and tiles for the Dungeon Master, but for players it’s just a book and maybe a miniature if they choose. Board games have the price on the box, so they are clearly priced. Magic is one that can really scale, since it’s a collectible card game. I know casual players who spend very little on the game and play a lot, but I know some very competitive players who spend much more on it – it really scales to the player. Warhammer is another one, but the price of admission is higher. The upkeep is really optional. I know some people who played the same army with few additions for a decade. Then I know some folks who buy a new model or two every month.
3. Do you hold regular events and touranments?
That’s a primary part of what we do. A full calendar is available at anthem-games.com. We have 3 different kinds of Magic tournaments, 3 kinds of Warhammer tourneys, 2 board games, open play events, and special events for new games.
4. There’s a strong connotations that only nerds and the socially inept play role playing and fantasy card games. Is this stereotype true? What kinds of people play these games?
I find that stereotype useful. It keeps out those who would not mesh well into the community. I don’t see an increased percentage of difficult people in this setting. For my own time, I find it lower, in fact. I have met all kinds of people in game stores: lawyers, brilliant recluse computer programmers, socially gifted gabsters, tragically hip scenesters – the thing these people all had in common was big imagination and a passion for problem-solving.
5. How long have you been in business and how did you get started?
We’ve been here for over a year now and growing strong. We got started with a small savings and a lot of work!
6. Are there any games coming out in the next year that you’re excited about?
There are games coming out nearly every week that I get excited about! This is a growing industry that hasn’t hit mainstream yet. Like video games, it has been around since the 70s. Unlike video games, hobby gaming has been fiercely defended by those who care about it. Video gaming has sold out. It’s the new TV. There are still quality video games being made, but they are the signal in the noise, like good film. Hobby gaming has a much higher signal-to-noise ratio, in my opinion.
7. What games do you personally play and why do you play them?
I haven’t played D&D in years, but that is where it started for me. My brother got the AD&D starter for Christmas in 1982 and we dove right in, checking out books from the library to complete our imaginary worlds. That went on for years and included many friends. It was a great escape that was powered on paper and imagination. My brother told me about a hot new card game when he was an avionicist on the flight line in 1994. I had not yet joined the Air Force, so I had plenty of time to try this cool new trype of card game called “Magic: The Gathering”. That was the beginning of what has been almost two decades of a hobby I love. Magic is hands-down, one of the best games ever made, which is constantly improving. Mensa agrees that it is one of the best. It is fun for a casual player and will challenge even the strongest minds.
I’ve long played games like Settlers of Catan and other hobby board games, most of which I found out about from other MAgic players. They make a nice break from intense strategy, or offer a twist on it. They range more greatly in design and complexity than any other genre. I’d recommend talking to Russell for more board game info that I could possibly provide. Here’s his meetup: http://www.meetup.com/TampaSWEEP/
Last year, I picked up Warhammer Fantasy as a strategy game that would let me get back to art. I’ve painted a handful of miniatures when time allowed and found it to be a very fulfilling hobby. You can create an army of your own design, paint them, and play against other generals in one of the oldest hobby games. Since 1983, this British import has been a cult classic. Warhammer 40k has since eclipsed it in popularity, but we support that equally well!
8. If someone wants to learn more about the games you play before they come out, where should they look and who should they talk to?
Folks can always ask questions of our strong forum community at anthem-games.com. They should do what makes them most comfortable. Google is a great resource for any key terms seen here. Wizards of the Coast makes Magic and D&D. Their site is www.wizards.com. Games Workshop’s Warhammer games and others can be perused at games-workshop.com.
9. Other than play board and card games, what other activities go on at your facility?
There’s a small amount of video gaming and internet usage, but it’s really about face time here. You don’t need to leave the house to plug in. I think people are turning away from it, to some degree and looking for new ways to interact with other people in the classic sense.
10. Where do you see the future of games being? More online games? More advanced board games? Something else?
Someone will make it, as long as there is a market for it. I think all will continue to develop and while they aren’t adversarial, one only has so much time. I still play some video games, but I find it much less fulfilling in comparison and usually feel like I just watched TV and turned my brain off. I feel more engaged and mentally active when I’m playing a new board game with friends, dueling another planeswalker in an epic Magic battle, commanding my Bretonnian knights against a Warhammer general across the table, or dreaming up whole new worlds in a D&D campaign. To each his own!
LocalShops1: Hyperlocal shopping for the Tampa Bay Area
One of the things I’ve always found interesting about the web is how easy it is to get to powerful databases of information. What I’ve always found annoying is trying to find that information specific to a region.
For us Tampa Bay residents (and those in the surrounding counties of Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota), you may find some help in the hyper local shopping site, LocalShops1.com. They are committed to promoting locally owned, independent shops. The mission of this site is to be a place where shoppers and business owners can come to network, on social and business levels to exchange ideas, post sales, become involved in the community. Out in the “real world,” they plan lots of fun community events, charity fundraisers and store parties.
About to celebrate their 1st anniversary, Local Shops is focused on highlighting high quality businesses in and around Tampa. This site does what other yellow-pages style sites do, but in a cleaner format and each business is hand selected and reviewed for inclusion instead of an across the board inclusion that many directories do. Signing up is FREE, and can be done here:
http://www.local-shops-1.com/LocalShops1/membership-options.html
There’s lots of good news coming out of this organization. They recently began embarking on a $250,000 advertising campaign with the Tampa Tribune, WFLA, tbo.com, Tampa Bay Magazine, Tampa Bay Business Journal and Genesis radio stations 1040 and 820. They are in the midst of a complete redesign of the website to make it easier to use. In August, they are launching “1Card”, the ultimate discount card for local business.
1st Place Engineering: Best Auto Repair place I’ve found
I really have to hand it to Jeff Lloyd, the owner of 1st Place Engineering (4011 21st Avenue East #111, Tampa FL 33605, 813-333-1100). Part custom fabrication shop, part auto repair facility, this place is great.
When I came to them last week, I had two broken Miatas, not a lot of money and even less hope. One car was fixed up right away so my wife could get back to work. The second one required a whole engine transplant, but was still done in only 4 days.
When other shops quoted me thousands of dollars and several weeks, Jeff worked day and night to get my work done in less time than I could ever have imagined. The car runs great and the repair cost was very reasonable. I can’t thank Jeff enough.
What impresses me most about Jeff is how honest and helpful he is. Mechanics have always been known as shifty and deceptive, but I got none of that from Jeff. From the very beginning, he gave me optimistic expectations and fulfilled them. When a supplier gave him a bad part, he took care of it quickly. His ability to over deliver really was exception.
While auto repair is one facet of his business. Jeff also does a lot of race-specific engineering. He made an all wheel drive Ford Contour. He’s putting a new school Ford 4 cylinder engine in a Triumph convertible. He’s in the process of doing a complete rebuild and upgrade of a Mazda RX-7. I don’t think there’s anything this guy can’t do in terms of custom fabrication.
So, if you have a car in disrepair and need support, I’d highly recommend Jeff’s shop. I’ll be taking all of my cars back there from now on.
Big Top Flea Market: Dirty, Cheap and Oh So Fun
Flea Markets, or “dirt malls” as they are known in my inner circle, are a veritable cornucopia of low priced trinkets, interesting one-off services, garage sale items, food stuffs, questionable taboo culture and people of the shadiest walk of life. You may look at that list and see negativity, but I see opportunity. Where else can you get a bong, legal advice, tiki bar furnishings, roasted peanuts and cheap sunglasses all at the same place? No where, and that’s why the Big Top Flea Market is awesome.
When you first pull in, you’re faced with several large barns with big letters on the front, making it easy to remember where you left your vehicle. Since there are something like a dozen of these buildings, you can get lost pretty easily.
Once inside, it’s sensory overload. As I walked into the first barn, I was surrounded by boxes of $1 this, 3/$5 that, a random assortment of tools, car itmes, housewares and other mish-mash.
This is Kara and I standing bewildered at whatever this is.
Some of the art quality is questionable, but the townies eat this stuff up.
It wouldn’t be a flea market without a bong store, or six. In fact, of all the place sin the dirt mall, I’d have to say that the head shops are amongst the best organized.
So many dark passages into the bowels of the beast. So little time.
Did someone say fried Peanuts?
I wish I had gotten this with the flash off. These things glow, thus being scary and cheery at the same time.
Racist? or just an ode to days gone past?
I’m sure there’s a bargain in here somewhere…
Like animals enough to decorate your house with their likeness?
There’s gold in them there tents!
Im not sure what these people are selling.
Would you buy a computer from a guy in a dirt mall?
Need a lawyer? Why not go to the dirt mall!
So… many… trinkets.
Hooray for the Tiki Tent! This place is actually pretty cool, like a trailer park rendition of Hawaii.
Lastly, here’s an homage to everyone’s favorite Melt In Your Mouth confection, the M&M. This was parked outside of building C.
FiOS Adds 6 new HD Channels, Brings total to 117
Verizon and Entertainment Studios, the largest independent producer and distributor of first-run syndicated television programming for broadcast television stations announced Monday (May 11) that six new high-definition channels are joining the lineup on Verizon’s FiOS TV service, which is delivered over the nation’s most advanced fiber-optic network directly to customers’ homes and businesses.
The six new HD channels from Entertainment Studios – Comedy.TV, Recipe.TV, ES.TV, MyDestination.TV, Cars.TV and Pets.TV – will begin to launch in FiOS TV markets this week.
“The addition of these channels helps us to continue our commitment to offer FiOS TV customers the best in HD programming,” said Terry Denson, vice president – FiOS TV content and programming. “With razor-sharp picture-and-sound quality that only FiOS delivers, coupled with the delivery of six new channels only available to FiOS customers, we’re offering service and variety that cable can’t match.”
Byron Allen, founder, chairman and CEO of Entertainment Studios, added: “Our goal and commitment is to make our networks the very best in their categories, and our launch on the Verizon FiOS TV platform gives us a great start. All content will be originally produced in HD to ensure the highest level of quality, and will be distributed globally on all platforms.”
The six new channels cover a variety of topics, including:
· Cars.TV – a network that showcases the collectors, designers, innovators and ultimate-car enthusiasts (www.Cars.tv).
· Pets.TV – a network dedicated to pet lovers that offers pet news, pet care, pet health and pet lifestyles (www.Pets.tv).
· Comedy.TV – features today’s funniest comedians, with a mix of live concert performances, talk and variety shows, sitcoms and movies (www.Comedy.tv).
· MyDestination.TV – offers the best in travel, featuring exciting, exotic must-see destinations around the world (www.MyDestination.tv).
· ES.TV – dedicated to entertainment news, variety shows, celebrity profiles and today’s hottest superstars (www.es.tv).
· Recipe.TV – features famous chefs, amazing recipes, wonderful food and delicious cuisine from around the world (www.Recipe.tv).
These six new channels join the more than 100 HD channels already offered by FiOS TV, which provides a broad collection of programming, with more than 500 all-digital channels and 14,000 video-on-demand (VOD) titles each month – 70 percent of which are free. Verizon’s VOD library also includes more than 1,300 HD titles. FiOS TV also offers an innovative Interactive Media Guide that provides next-generation, personalized interactive services, including news and entertainment widgets, fantasy football applications, casual games, and many other features. FiOS TV is currently available to more than 9.7 million homes in 14 states.
For more information on FiOS TV, consumers can visit www.verizon.com/fiostv or call their local Verizon sales office or 888-438-3467.
IKEA Tampa opens this morning to the public
IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, opened the doors of its Tampa store – the company’s 1st store on the west coast of Florida – to customers at 9 a.m. this morning. The 353,000-square-foot IKEA Tampa is located on 29 acres along Adamo Drive at 22nd Street and the Crosstown Expressway, adjacent to the Ybor City historic business district. It is the Swedish company’s 3rd store and restaurant destination in Florida, 6th in the Southeast, 37th in the United States, and 297th worldwide. The store employs more than 400 coworkers and features 10,000 exclusively-designed items, a 350-seat IKEA Restaurant, 49 inspirational room settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children’s play area and approximately 1,600 parking spaces. Other IKEA stores in the Southeast are in Atlanta, GA; Charlotte, NC; Orlando, FL; Sunrise, FL; and Woodbridge, VA.
“We are excited to bring the unique IKEA family-friendly shopping experience to the Tampa Bay area and beyond,” said Monica Varela, IKEA Tampa store manager. “The enthusiasm the IKEA Tampa coworker family felt about this big day and about opening the store translated into excitement and a great shopping experience for customers.”
Before the doors opened, Varela welcomed the community with a traditional Swedish log-sawing ceremony, bringing good luck to the new home and its guests. In addition to brief remarks by Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, Varela was joined by Tampa Council Chairman Thomas Scott who raised the U.S. flag; Honorary Swedish Consul B-G Holmberg who raised the Swedish flag; and Special Assistant to the Governor Michelle Todd who raised the Florida flag. Also, IKEA Tampa coworker Jenn Esteves and Carol Downing from Blossom Montessori School for the Deaf in Clearwater served as sign language interpreters of the flag anthems and speakers’ remarks.
Beginning grand opening day and lasting through Sunday, May 10, IKEA Tampa will recognize loyal, enthusiastic customers by giving away thousands of dollars in gift cards and merchandise.
Take a Seat (And We Mean Take It!) – The first 100 adults (18 and over) in line at the IKEA Tampa grand opening on May 6, 2009 will receive a free POÄNG armchair.
Pick a Card, Any Card – The first 2,500 people to visit IKEA Tampa on May 6, 2009 will receive a random prize envelope with IKEA Gift Cards ranging from $10 to $250, or a “Buy One, Get One Free” cinnamon bun, hotdog or frozen yogurt voucher.
You Say It’s Your Birthday – Visitors who bring proof to IKEA Tampa on May 6 that it is their birthday will receive a $10 gift card.
For the (Truly) Young at Heart – The first 100 children (under 18) in line at IKEA Tampa’s grand opening on May 6, 2009 will receive a free FAMNIG heart-shaped cushion.
Enter to Win When Entering our Home – From May 6 through May 10, 2009, visitors to IKEA Tampa may enter a drawing to win one of ten $1,000 IKEA Gift Cards. IKEA will match the prizes (a total of $10,000) with a home furnishings donation to Child Abuse Council of Hillsborough County, a local agency aimed at helping children and strengthening families.
It’s Easy Being Green – On Thursday, May 7, IKEA will distribute to customers 500 three-inch tropical plants, representing IKEA roots planted in Tampa.
Play Big and Eat Big (If You’re Little!) – Entertainment for kids, such as balloon artists, will take place at IKEA Tampa from May 6 through May 10. Kids also can enjoy macaroni-and-cheese as well as other meals, starting at 99¢.
Interview with Jen from GoGreenItems.com
Everyone knows how important that Green Living is, especially today. Saving energy, minimizing waste and becoming sustainable are goals we can all live with, and a lot of vendors are stepping up to the plate to help us do this. Tampa’s own Jennifer Meier started GoGreenItems.com, a bay area online store that sells recycled handbags, eco-friendly gifts, organic clothing and recycled jewelry, organic personal care products, green gadgets, organic baby products and other green items for your home. Jen agreed to some question and answer about her store.
1. Why your interest in green products?
I wanted to develop a business where I would be able to give back and make a difference. Being a green company inspires me every day to seek out new products and speak with others that share my same passion.
2. How long have you had your store open?
Our vision for the company was developed a few years ago. We officially launched the site in November 2008.
3. Do you have any stories about how you or your store really helped someone change their world for the greener?
For the month of April I sent out information about Earth Day to all my customers. I had a customer that is a Middle school teacher. She read the information to her entire middle school, also her girlfriend used it at her church high school youth group retreat. That information was able to be shared with hundreds of students. With educating our youth about Earth Day it creates a greener world. That was really a nice way to show me that people do appreciate the work that our company is doing.
4. With Earth Day come and gone, what are you hoping the world has learned or will do to be greener?
That we can all make the world greener, it just takes one item at a time.
5. What’s the plan for your store long term?
I would love to see both the store and green practices go global.
6. Are there any green resources, forums or blogs that you read and can recommend?
Green Maven and Eco Seek are great green product resources. For blogs Wordpress, BlogCatalog, and Creative Loafing has a great green blog forum.
7. What are your greatest green sellers?
The recycled juice box hand bags are really popular right now. The Chili pepper, it is a hot water pump. We can’t seem to keep them in stock. Another great product is the Klean Kanteen it is a reusable bottle.
8. Anything else your future customers should know?
Please visit the site often, we are always updating with new innovate green products.
There you have it, another Bay Area Green personality promoting ways to help the environment. I’m always looking to cover more environmental stories, so please feel free to submit yourself or others who do something substantial to improve the quality of eco-life here in the Tampa Bay area.
IKEA Tampa Photo Preview
Yesterday, I was allowed into an exclusive photo preview of the new Tampa IKEA. I’m really impressed with this store, and it’s grand opening next week is likely to be a cultural event.
A few things about this IKEA make it different than many other retails, including other IKEA stores. Firstly, this is the biggest IKEA in Florida. The walking tour we took, which lasted almost 3 hours, didn’t even cover the guts of the store. We literally danced from section to section and I ended up doing a lot of “walk and snap” photography, just trying to get it all in.
On top of the sheer magnitude of this store, trying to wrap your head around what IKEA “is” will likely make your head pop. On the surface, it’s a retail outlet for inexpensive and trendy housewares, furniture and other fun stuff. The top level features dozens of rooms filled with furniture and accessories to compliment each lifestyle. Some are formal, some are fun and some are wacky. There really is something for everyone.
As you make your way downstairs, you’re surrounded by every odd and end you could imagine for your kitchen, bath or the rest of your home. The prices are amazing as well. $8 for a wok? $4 for a box of candles? Cooking utensils under $5? Large area rugs under $50? It’s truly amazing some of the bargains you will find. The secret, as I’m told, is volume. They make and sell millions of pieces of inventory every month.
Thoughout the facility, you find little pencils and pieces of paper to make a list of what you want as you go. It’s all stored downstairs for easy retrieval later. This keeps carts on the main floor and the upstairs free of boxes. Speaking of boxes, everything is flat-packed. This means it’s easy to store, easy to ship and easy for you to carry home. I looked at the boxes for the dresser and bed I want to buy. They’ll fit on the trunk of my Miata, no problem.
Beyond shopping, IKEA is a living community. It’s a place to drop your kids off while you shop (Smaland), a cafeteria-style restaurant with lots of choices (all of which were delicious, mind you) and a cult of personality. The people who work here are the You and Me of retail, the hipster in all of us that enjoys the brand and works there because it is IKEA. I met a number of them yesterday, and I felt right at home. Infact, my wife works at this IKEA at night and on weekends. She continually dotes on how amazing her co-workers are. If you’re fearful of young people who are all smiling, you may want to avoid this place.
Even before the store opens, their scratch-n-dent AS-IS section is full. You’ll want to be there opening day to snatch up many of these bargains before they’re gone.
For the rest of the photos, see my photo set:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/denisbaldwin/sets/72157617424695925/
Habibi Hookah Bar
I love relaxing with a hookah. I have one here at home which I stuff with wet tobacco on the weekends and veg out in front of my television. If you’ve never done it, I highly recommend it. It’s a relaxing social smoking event, not harsh on your lungs or overly smokey. The flavors are soothing and calming and the whole experience is akin to having a beer after work, leaving you awash in relaxation.
It’s that reason that Habibi Hookah Bar (habibihookahbar.com, 1632 E. 7th Ave, Ybor City/Tampa FL 33605, 813-230-0911) is a growing success. Located next to Phat Katz Tattoo in Ybor, Habibi gets a lot of things right. The hookahs you rent are large and have long hoses, making them centerpieces for your experience without getting in your way. The selection of flavors, some 20 plus of them, can be mixed as you see fit to compliment your mood. Hookahs can be, and are supposed to be, shared amongst friends and this is a social atmosphere to encourages these kind of interactions.
For the hookah enthusiast, comfortable couch seating allows you to look out at the passing car and walking traffic on 7th Avenue. The cool open air lounge brings in the food smells of Ybor and an ambient atmosphere where you watch the crowds as they watch you back. Several people stopped to take our picture with the hookah, as it’s a real draw for those who have never experienced it.
Pricing is reasonable for what you get. For two of us smoking for over an hour, the price was $18, including a Diet Coke we purchased there. Traditional middle eastern music plays in the background, just loud enough to hear but not so loud that it disrupts conversation. On Saturdays, Belly Dancers take over the bar and you’re treated to a show with your smoke. You are encouraged to stay and enjoy and relax, as the manager comes by to change the coal on your hookah regularly and to make sure you are comfortable.
This is one of my favorite places to be in Ybor. It’s good after a long work day or just to relax before going out for the night to the clubs and bars all around the Hookah Bar.
HYNCA Neighborhood Yard Sale, April 4, 2009
HYNCA is inviting residents of Ybor City to participate (sellers and buyers) in the HYNCA Neighborhood Yard Sale, April 4, 2009 from 9:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Centennial Park in Ybor City. Tables are available for a $10 donation.
It’s a good old fashion yard sale for residents that live the Urban life and have no yard. There will also be a few local retail folks presenting. This is the first year, though it could become an annual event if it does well.
In addition to the HYNCA sale, the market is open in the same park and the Art Walk will be going on the same time. I hope the event will bring those to Ybor who have never been, or never seen the beauty of the city beyond 7th Avenue.