Ridemakerz
Encyclopedia
Ridemakerz is an American retailer of customizable toy cars. The business was started in 2007 by Larry Andreini, Chip Foose
(of TLC Overhaulin'
), and Maxine Clark (of Build-A-Bear Workshop
).
. Since then, twelve locations had opened in ten other states. In late 2009 Ridemakerz began closing most of their stores. By the end of 2009, Ridemakerz will have closed nine of their twelve stores, the five remaining stores will be Myrtle Beach, SC. Glendale,AZ.and Branson, MO. Plus they will be selling their products in the newly repurchased and re-imagined Disney Stores.
The company currently holds licenses to make the Chevrolet Corvette
, Dodge Challenger
, Dodge Ram
, Dodge Viper
, Ford F-250 Super Chief, Ford Mustang
, Mini Cooper, and the Scion xB
.
In April 2008, Ridemakerz won "Best Attraction Retailing" for stores under 5000 square feet (464.5 m²) in Chain Store Age Magazine's Retail Store of the Year awards
. It was founded in 2007 in St. Louis, Missouri
and moved to Rancho Santa Margarita, California
in 2009. The main financier is investor Norman Pozez. Build-A-Bear owns about 25% of the company. In 2010 it is opening a warehouse and distribution center in Valencia, California
(it currently uses the system of Build-A-Bear) and moving its headquarters to Irvine, California
. There are approximately 250 employees nationwide and 16 employees at its headquarters.
car or remote control
car. It is estimated that over 649,000,000 different ride combinations are possible.
March 2009- RZ Virtual World opened from its closed beta test.
September 2009- Ridemakerz stopped tech support for their virtual world.
Chip Foose
Chip Foose is a hot rod shop owner, automotive designer and fabricator, and former star of the reality TV series Overhaulin on TLC.-Life and career:...
(of TLC Overhaulin'
Overhaulin'
Overhaulin' is an American automotive reality TV show that ran for five seasons on TLC between 2004–2009. The show remains available via re-runs and syndication.-Hosts:...
), and Maxine Clark (of Build-A-Bear Workshop
Build-A-Bear Workshop
Build-A-Bear Workshop is an American retailer headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri that sells teddy bears and other stuffed animals. Customers go through an interactive process in which the stuffed animal of their choice is assembled and customized during their visit to the store, and is the...
).
History
The first location opened June 1, 2007 in Myrtle Beach, SC at Broadway at the BeachBroadway at the Beach
Broadway at the Beach is a shopping center located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Since its inception in 1996, it has grown to be one of Myrtle Beach's premier shopping destinations. Broadway at the Beach is owned and operated by Burroughs & Chapin Company, Inc...
. Since then, twelve locations had opened in ten other states. In late 2009 Ridemakerz began closing most of their stores. By the end of 2009, Ridemakerz will have closed nine of their twelve stores, the five remaining stores will be Myrtle Beach, SC. Glendale,AZ.and Branson, MO. Plus they will be selling their products in the newly repurchased and re-imagined Disney Stores.
The company currently holds licenses to make the Chevrolet Corvette
Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car by the Chevrolet division of General Motors that has been produced in six generations. The first model, a convertible, was designed by Harley Earl and introduced at the GM Motorama in 1953 as a concept show car. Myron Scott is credited for naming the car after...
, Dodge Challenger
Dodge Challenger
The Dodge Challenger is the name of three different generations of automobiles marketed by the Dodge division of Chrysler.The first generation Dodge Challenger was a pony car built from 1970 to 1974, using the Chrysler E platform and sharing major components with the Plymouth Barracuda. The second...
, Dodge Ram
Dodge Ram
The Dodge Ram is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by the Chrysler Group LLC. As of late 2010, it has been sold under the Ram Trucks brand. Previously, Ram was part of the Dodge lineup of light trucks...
, Dodge Viper
Dodge Viper
The first prototype was tested in January 1989. It debuted in 1991 with two pre-production models as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 when Dodge was forced to substitute it in place of the Japanese-built Stealth because of complaints from the United Auto Workers, and went on sale in January...
, Ford F-250 Super Chief, Ford Mustang
Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. Introduced early on April 17, 1964, as a "1964½" model, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A...
, Mini Cooper, and the Scion xB
Scion xB
The Scion xB is a vehicle made by Toyota for the United States market and sold under their youth-oriented Scion brand. It is a box-shaped, 5-door compact hatchback.-First generation :...
.
In April 2008, Ridemakerz won "Best Attraction Retailing" for stores under 5000 square feet (464.5 m²) in Chain Store Age Magazine's Retail Store of the Year awards
Company information
Ridemakerz is a limited liability companyLimited liability company
A limited liability company is a flexible form of enterprise that blends elements of partnership and corporate structures. It is a legal form of company that provides limited liability to its owners in the vast majority of United States jurisdictions...
. It was founded in 2007 in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
and moved to Rancho Santa Margarita, California
Rancho Santa Margarita, California
Rancho Santa Margarita is a city in Orange County, California. One of Orange County's youngest cities, Rancho Santa Margarita is a master planned community set upon rolling hills. Most neighborhoods in Rancho Santa Margarita are within various homeowners associations...
in 2009. The main financier is investor Norman Pozez. Build-A-Bear owns about 25% of the company. In 2010 it is opening a warehouse and distribution center in Valencia, California
Valencia, California
Valencia is an affluent planned community located in the City of Santa Clarita, California and Los Angeles County, California, U.S. in the northwestern corner of the Santa Clarita Valley, adjacent to Interstate 5. In 1987, it was one of the four unincorporated communities that merged to create the...
(it currently uses the system of Build-A-Bear) and moving its headquarters to Irvine, California
Irvine, California
Irvine is a suburban incorporated city in Orange County, California, United States. It is a planned city, mainly developed by the Irvine Company since the 1960s. Formally incorporated on December 28, 1971, the city has a population of 212,375 as of the 2010 census. However, the California...
. There are approximately 250 employees nationwide and 16 employees at its headquarters.
Process
While in the store, the customers (known as "customizers") come into the store and build "ridez" that can either be a freewheelingModel car
A model car or toy car is a miniature representation of an automobile. Other miniature motor vehicles, such as trucks, buses, or even ATVs, etc. are often included in the general category of model cars...
car or remote control
Radio-controlled car
Radio-controlled cars are self-powered model cars or trucks that can be controlled from a distance using a specialized transmitter...
car. It is estimated that over 649,000,000 different ride combinations are possible.
Stations
The stores comprise seven stations, each with its own purpose.| Station | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Chooze | Customizer picks out body |
| Sonicize | Customizer picks out a sound chip for the "ride" to play |
| MobilizeIn locations 1501, Motorize comes before Mobilize | Customizer picks "wheelz" and "treadz" for the ride |
| MotorizeIn locations 1501 & 1504, Motorize comes before Mobilize | Customizer puts the "chassiz" in the ride and puts it all together |
| Customize/Accessorize | Customizer picks out and puts on things such as decals, side pipes, lights, etc... |
| Personalize | Customizer creates license tag and title for the ride |
| Cruize | Customizer pays for the ride |
The 5 "C'z"
The company believes in what they call the 5 "C'z of Ridemakerz".| C | Description |
|---|---|
| Choice | The experience gives a chance for optimism and possibility. |
| Creativity | Encourage natural creativity. |
| Confidence | Customizers are given guidance and freedom to assure success. |
| Collaboration | The crew members work side-by-side with the customizer to build their ride. |
| Community | Ridemakerz is a company that works with the surround community and charities |
Stores
There are (at present) five locations. Each store's number is prefixed with "15" and the order of opening denotes the individual store number. The number 1513 was skipped.Current Locations
| Store Number | City | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1501 | Myrtle Beach, SC | Broadway at the Beach Broadway at the Beach Broadway at the Beach is a shopping center located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Since its inception in 1996, it has grown to be one of Myrtle Beach's premier shopping destinations. Broadway at the Beach is owned and operated by Burroughs & Chapin Company, Inc... |
First location, 6/1/07 |
| 1510 | Branson, MO | Branson Landing | |
| 1514 | Glendale, AZ | Westgate City Center Westgate City Center Westgate City Center is the name of a mixed-use development located in Glendale, Arizona. Westgate is described as a super-regional destination for shopping, entertainment, commercial office and luxury residential... |
|
| 1515 | Anaheim, CA | Downtown Disney Downtown Disney (California) Downtown Disney is an outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment area, also known as a "shoppertainment center", located at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, United States... |
Westernmost store Opened 10/6/09. Relocated/Reopened June 16, 2010 |
| 1516 | Lake Buena Vista, FL | Downtown Disney Downtown Disney (Florida) Downtown Disney is an outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complex located at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Downtown Disney is open to the public, requires no admission fee, and offers complimentary parking and transportation to all Disney-operated Walt Disney... |
Opened March 25, 2010 |
Former Locations
| Store Number | City | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1502 | Bloomington, MN | Mall of America Mall of America The Mall of America, also called MOA and the Megamall, is a shopping mall located in Bloomington, Minnesota, a suburb of the Twin Cities, in the United States. It is located southeast of the junction of Interstate 494 and Minnesota State Highway 77, north of the Minnesota River and is across the... |
Northernmost Store Closed 9/1/08 |
| 1503 | Indianapolis, IN | Castleton Square Castleton Square Castleton Square Mall is the largest and busiest mall in the state of Indiana. Built by Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr., in 1972, it is located in northeastern Indianapolis and owned by Simon Property Group. The largest stores are Dick's Sporting Goods, JCPenney, Macy's, Von Maur and Sears... |
Closed January 23, 2010 First store to close in 2010 |
| 1504 | Fredericksburg, VA | Spotsylvania Towne Centre Spotsylvania Towne Centre The Spotsylvania Towne Centre is a mall located in Spotsylvania, Virginia, on Virginia State Route 3, less than a mile west of Interstate 95, and directly across from the Central Park shopping and dining complex. The mall is owned and developed by Cafaro Company... |
Closed September 25, 2010 |
| 1505 | White Marsh, MD | THE AVENUE at White Marsh White Marsh Town Center White Marsh Town Center a planned community of residential, office, industrial, and retail properties developed by Nottingham Properties, now owned by Corporate Office Properties Trust. It is located in White Marsh, northeast Baltimore County, Maryland.... |
First location of 2008 First location where mobilize came before motorize Easternmost Store Closed September 12, 2009 |
| 1506 | Hagerstown, MD | The Shoppes at Hagerstown | Closed August 31, 2009 |
| 1507 | Schaumburg, IL | Woodfield Mall Woodfield Mall Woodfield Mall is an enclosed super-regional shopping mall located in the northwest Chicago suburb of Schaumburg, Illinois, United States, at the intersection of Golf Road and Illinois Route 53.... |
Closed September 11, 2009 |
| 1508 | Auburn Hills, MI | Great Lakes Crossing Great Lakes Crossing Great Lakes Crossing Outlets is an enclosed shopping mall, super-regional in size, located in the city of Auburn Hills, a suburb of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Developed and owned by Taubman Centers, Great Lakes Crossing Outlets features over 180 stores and restaurants, a food court, and a... |
Opened the same day as 1509 Closed September 19, 2009, same day as 1509 |
| 1509 | Novi, MI | Twelve Oaks Mall Twelve Oaks Mall Twelve Oaks Mall is a super-regional shopping mall with over 180 stores located in Novi, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The mall is located on the Northeast corner of Interstate 96 and Novi Road. Taubman Centers is the owner and manager of the mall, and it is anchored by Macy's, Lord & Taylor,... |
Opened the same day as 1508 Closed September 19, 2009, same day as 1508 |
| 1511 | Appleton, WI | Fox River Fox River (Wisconsin) The Fox River is a river in eastern and central Wisconsin in the United States. Along the banks is a chain of cities, including Oshkosh, Neenah, Menasha, Appleton, Little Chute, Kimberly, Combined Locks, and Kaukauna. Except for Oshkosh, these cities refer to themselves as the Fox Cities... |
Closed August 31, 2009 |
| 1512 | Friendswood, TX | Baybrook Mall Baybrook Mall Baybrook Mall, is a shopping mall located 30 km southeast of downtown Houston at Interstate 45 South and Bay Area Blvd in Friendswood, Texas, United States. It has five major anchors and more than 170 stores and restaurants... |
Southernmost store Closed October 24, 2009 |
| 1590 | Groveport, OH | RIDEMAKERZ Garage | Warehouse location Closed August 12, 2009 Replaced with a location in Garden Grove, California Garden Grove, California Garden Grove is a city located in northern Orange County, California. The population was 170,883 at the 2010 census. State Route 22, also known as the Garden Grove Freeway, passes through the city running east-west. The city is known outside the Southern California area for being the home of Robert H... |
RZ Virtual World
December 2008- Ridemakerz launched their Ridemakerz Virtual World, which is similar to Build a Bear Workshops Build-A-Bearville, for closed beta testing.March 2009- RZ Virtual World opened from its closed beta test.
September 2009- Ridemakerz stopped tech support for their virtual world.