GILROY
– Video games have been a part of almost everyone’s lives at one
point or another. However, most people leave them behind as they
enter their teen and adult years. The story is a little different
for two Gilroy guys.
GILROY – Video games have been a part of almost everyone’s lives at one point or another. However, most people leave them behind as they enter their teen and adult years. The story is a little different for two Gilroy guys.
Hak Khong and Aaron Martinez opened a video game store in Gilroy July 4 called Gamers in Control. The two gamers, who have been friends for seven years, decided that they would rather open a game store here in Gilroy and stop making the drive to the game stores in San Jose.
“We’ve been playing video games all our lives and thought it was time Gilroy got a video game store,” said Martinez, 20.
It took an eight-month process for the young owners to get their store up and running. The two gathered money and received loans from their parents to rent out space at 8401 Church St., next door to the Juicy Burger on the corner Welburn Avenue. Then they contacted distributors, who would provide them with the games and equipment they would need to run the store. For them, this was the biggest task. The rest they knew they could handle.
Their Fourth of July weekend grand opening was slow for the two new business owners. Fear started rising in them as thoughts of backing out crossed their minds.
“It was slow at first because no one knew about us,” Martinez said. “Now we’re building up and we’re making money. We know we don’t have to back out anytime soon.”
Their money comes from a variety of different sources. They sell things for kids big and small alike as well as for adults. In the early afternoon, you can find kids in the store playing games one of three systems the store has to offer. For $2 an hour, people are able to play any used game in the store on X-Box, Game Cube and Playstation 2 systems.
In the evenings, the store is filled with adults purchasing games and other items for themselves or for their kids. Customers are able to buy anything, from Gameboy Advanced to Playstation 2. There also are games for each system, new and used. If gamers are looking for rare, older games and systems from the 1980s and early ’90s, they are able to order them. In addition to selling, customers are able to sell games and systems they have to the store for store credit.
“We’re a store for everybody – hardcore gamers, people who are here to buy for kids – for everybody,” said Khong, 19.
Every month, the store will host tournaments. It will be a different game each month. People who are interested can sign up at the store. This month, the tournament will be for Halo on X-Box. The player who racks up the most points will receive a prize, which will most likely be a game. The decision is yet to be made.
The opening of the store is a way for Martinez and Khong to let out the big kids inside them. According to Martinez, video games played a big part in their childhood years. They are both hoping that things will come out of this.
“I just want this place to be the best video place in town,” Khong said. “It’s home grown. We’re just the best people to open up a video game store.”
Martinez agreed.
“We’re just big kids running a business,” he said.
As time goes by, they will be adding more of everything to the store. Right now, they have a few arcade games, but they would like to add more. Also, they are hoping to add more televisions, systems, couches and display cases.
Even with the store opening, both will attend Gavilan College in the fall. Martinez will be a full-time student and Khong will be going only part time. Their majors are both going to be in business.
Khong opens up after his last morning class, while Martinez comes in after his last afternoon class at 1 p.m.
Gamers in Control is located at 8401 Church St. Unit E. Business hours are noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information call 842-8833.
