Rx-Tek computer repair expands into retail gaming store
San Benito County’s first computer accessory and gaming store,
Rx-Tek Computers and Games, is having its grand opening Friday,
Aug. 1.
”
We’ve been an on-site service company for the last four
years,
”
said Amanda Johnson, co-owner of Rx-Tek.
”
We’ve needed to grow.
”
Rx-Tek computer repair expands into retail gaming store
San Benito County’s first computer accessory and gaming store, Rx-Tek Computers and Games, is having its grand opening Friday, Aug. 1.
“We’ve been an on-site service company for the last four years,” said Amanda Johnson, co-owner of Rx-Tek. “We’ve needed to grow.”
Although the Johnsons want to expand their operation into the retail market, Rx-Tek staff will still offer on-site computer set up and repair, Amanda said.
Customers can also use the store as a drop-off site or have employees pick up and deliver their computer, she said. Their service business grew mainly through word of mouth. “We’ve been like Hollister’s best kept secret for four years,” said Erick Johnson, co-owner.
Rx-Tek staff serve more than 200 businesses, such as the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce, Erick said.
“They’re great,”said Jessica French, the president of the San Benito County Chamber. “If we ever have a problem in the office, they come right away usually. Sometimes it’s even within the hour that we call them. They’re very knowledgeable, and they just help us a lot.”
Originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, the Johnsons moved to Hollister more than four years ago.
Within a year of opening Rx-Tek, business was booming.
“We didn’t think it was going to take off like this,” Amanda said.
They first started thinking about opening a store a year ago.
“We carry so much inventory just for our on-site service,” Erick said.
Amanda wanted the items out of the home.
“We had our whole garage dedicated to it,” Amanda said. “Then it started taking over our kitchen, then our living room.”
Rx-Tek staff sell video and computer games, custom gaming accessories and computer accessories, Erick said.
“We’re only going to be carrying the top 30 titles of the top systems,” Erick said.
They carry games for PSP, Nintendo DS, Windows, Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and a selection of PlayStation 2 games, Erik said.
Towards the holiday season, they will start selling gaming systems, Erick said.
Rx-Tek will be open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.
The store has a classroom in back where the Johnsons will offer instruction in Windows, Microsoft Office and QuickBooks, Erick said.
“That’s the ones we’re going to be starting with,” Eric said. “We hope to have those class schedules set up by September, once this is all going smooth and [employees] are trained about how to do retail.”
They want to keep classes short and affordable, but do not have prices set, Erick said.
The classroom has 10 student computers and one for the teacher, Amanda said.
“We’ll probably do weekend classes and evening classes,” Erick said. “Probably the first dozen or so will be private classes, because those are people who’ve been requesting them.”
If the classes or video game and computer game sales take off, they will expand to a bigger location in Hollister, Amanda said.
“Pretty much, we’re just trying to break even on this,” Amanda said.
Getting their current location ready has been a lot of work, Erick said.
“I’m nervous, scared, frustrated,” Amanda said.
They plan to open another store north of Hollister in three years, Erick said.
“The next store will be easier,” Erick said.
The grand opening is Friday, Aug. 1, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 321 San Felipe Road., No. 2. The ribbon cutting is at noon. One attendee will win a free Wii.
