The week our loan got approved should’ve been the easy win. Instead, the space we’d picked for Big J’s Replays got rented out from under us, and we had to pivot hard—calling brokers, scouting a strip behind the mall, and negotiating shelves, gondolas, glass cases, and rolling racks like we were speedrunning retail Tetris. We get honest about the messy middle: protecting cash flow, asking for written holds, and buying fixtures that make a store feel intentional on day one.

We also open up about losing Ernie, our 17-year-old cat who shaped our mornings and softened our edges. The house is quieter now, and we talk through the practical pieces—pet cremation with a careful local team—and the emotional ones, like the tiny habits you miss and the humor you need to get through it. That same mix of heart and hustle shows up in our branding choices: a cartoon Blue Jay, a vinyl ring, and clean lines built for window clings and phone screens. The name “Big J’s Replays” stretches to fit games, vinyl, turntables, and whatever retro formats we can give a second life.

Between the heavy moments, we keep the culture chat alive—Spaceballs 2 rumors, why comedic timing matters, and a music share from From Ashes to New. We sketch out a “rave night” vision with legit sound, lights, and a safe, high-energy space for the local crowd. Because great shops don’t just sell; they host moments. If you’re building something similar—wrestling with real estate, brand choices, or community ideas—you’ll find sharp takeaways and a few laughs to carry you through.

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'Beavis and Butt-head' Cover art created by Joe Crawford