Ridemakerz (alternatively written "RIDEMAKERZ") is an American retailer of customizable toy cars. The business was started in 2007 by Larry Andreini,
Chip FooseChip Foose is a hot rod shop owner, automotive designer and fabricator, and star of Overhaulin on TLC.- Background:Foose began working on automobiles at age seven for his father's company, Project Design, in Santa Barbara, California...
(of TLC
Overhaulin'Overhaulin' was an automotive reality TV show that ran for five seasons on TLC. The show remains available via re-runs and syndication....
), and Maxine Clark (of
Build-A-Bear WorkshopBuild-A-Bear Workshop is an American retailer that sells customizable teddy bears and other stuffed animals. It is the largest create-your-own animal service, with the other companies in the business consisting of regional and/or locally-owned operations. The company's motto is "Where Best Friends...
).
The first location opened June 1, 2007 in Myrtle Beach, SC at
Broadway at the BeachBroadway 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...
. Since then, twelve locations had opened in ten other states.. In late 2009 Ridemakerz began closing most of their stores.
Ridemakerz (alternatively written "RIDEMAKERZ") is an American retailer of customizable toy cars. The business was started in 2007 by Larry Andreini,
Chip FooseChip Foose is a hot rod shop owner, automotive designer and fabricator, and star of Overhaulin on TLC.- Background:Foose began working on automobiles at age seven for his father's company, Project Design, in Santa Barbara, California...
(of TLC
Overhaulin'Overhaulin' was an automotive reality TV show that ran for five seasons on TLC. The show remains available via re-runs and syndication....
), and Maxine Clark (of
Build-A-Bear WorkshopBuild-A-Bear Workshop is an American retailer that sells customizable teddy bears and other stuffed animals. It is the largest create-your-own animal service, with the other companies in the business consisting of regional and/or locally-owned operations. The company's motto is "Where Best Friends...
).
History
The first location opened June 1, 2007 in Myrtle Beach, SC at
Broadway at the BeachBroadway 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...
. 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 ten of their twelve stores, the two remaining stores will be Myrtle Beach, SC. and Branson, MO.
The company currently holds licenses to make the
Chevrolet CorvetteThe Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car manufactured in six generations by General Motors since 1953. The first Corvette was designed by Harley Earl and named by Myron Scott after the fast ship of the same name. Originally built in Flint, Michigan and St. Louis, Missouri, it is currently built at a...
,
Dodge ChallengerThe Dodge Challenger is the name of three different automobile models marketed by the Dodge division of Chrysler LLC since 1970.- :...
,
Dodge RamThe Dodge Ram is a full-size pickup truck from Chrysler LLC's Dodge brand. The name was first used in 1981 on the redesigned Ram and Power Ram, though it came from the hood ornament used on 1930s and '40s Dodge vehicles....
,
Dodge ViperThe Dodge Viper is a V10-powered sports car manufactured by the Dodge division of Chrysler LLC. Production of the two seat sports car began at New Mack Assembly in 1992 and moved to its current home at Conner Avenue Assembly in October 1995...
, Ford F-250 Super Chief,
Ford MustangThe 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. Production began in Dearborn, Michigan on March 9, 1964 and the car was introduced to the public on April 17, 1964 at the New York...
, Mini Cooper, and the
Scion xBThe 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 station wagon.-First generation :...
.
In April 2008,
Ridemakerz won "Best Attraction Retailing" for stores under in Chain Store Age Magazine's
Retail Store of the Year awards
Process
While in the store, the customers (known as "customizers") come into the store and build "ridez" that can either be a
freewheelingA model car is a miniature representation, or scale model, of an automobile or similar powered vehicle, generally reproducing the shapes of actually-produced vehicles. Other miniature ground-running vehicles, such as trucks, buses, etc. are usually included in the general category of model cars...
car of
remote controlRadio-controlled cars are usually categorized as either "toy" or "hobby" grade. Remote control vehicles are usually of one of two types: control of a vehicle by radio transmission or by a wire connecting between the transmitter and car. This article focuses on the radio-controlled vehicle...
car. It is estimated that over 649,000,000 different ride combinations are possible.
Stations
The stores are comprised of seven stations, each with their own purpose.
| Station |
Purpose |
| Chooze |
Customizer picks out their body |
| Sonicize |
Customizer picks out a sound chip for their "ride" to play |
Mobilize[In locations 1501-1504, Motorize comes before Mobilize] |
Customizer picks "wheelz" and "treadz" for their ride |
Motorize[In locations 1501-1504, Motorize comes before Mobilize] |
Customizer puts their "chassiz" in their 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 their license tag and title for their ride |
| Cruize |
Customizer pays for their ride |
Relationship with Big Brothers Big Sisters
On the opening of new stores, the company makes a $1000 donation to the local
Big Brothers Big SistersBig Brothers Big Sisters may refer to:*Big Brothers Big Sisters of America*Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada*Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City...
organization.
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) seven 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 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...
|
First location, 6/1/07 |
| 1503 |
Indianapolis, IN |
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...
|
|
| 1504 |
Fredericksburg, VA |
Spotsylvania Towne Centre The Spotsylvania Towne Centre is a mall located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, on Virginia State Route 3, less than a mile south of Interstate 95, and directly across from the Central Park shopping and dining complex. The mall is owned and developed by Cafaro Company...
|
|
| 1510 |
Branson, MO |
Branson Landing |
|
| 1512 |
Friendswood, TX |
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 four major anchors and more than 175 stores and restaurants...
|
Southernmost store |
| 1514 |
Glendale, AZ |
Westgate City CenterWestgate City Center is the name of a mixed-use development located in Glendale, Arizona. Owned and developed by Westgate is described as a super-regional destination for shopping, entertainment, commercial office and luxury residential...
|
|
| 1515 |
Anaheim, CA |
Disneyland |
Westernmost store
Opened 10/6/09 in a temporary location, formerly Department 56Department 56 is a major manufacturer of Holiday collectibles, ornaments and giftware, known for their lighted Christmas village collections and their Snowbabies collection.-History:...
. |
Former Locations
| Store Number |
City |
Location |
Notes |
| 1502 |
Bloomington, MN |
Mall of AmericaMall of America is a super-regional shopping mall located in the Twin Cities suburb of Bloomington, Minnesota. The mall is located southeast of the junction of Interstate 494 and Minnesota State Highway 77, north of the Minnesota River and is across the interstate from the Minneapolis-St. Paul...
|
Northernmost Store
Closed 9/1/08 |
| 1505 |
White Marsh, MD |
THE AVENUE at White Marsh 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 9/12/09 |
| 1506 |
Hagerstown, MD |
The Shoppes at Hagerstown |
Closed 8/31/09 |
| 1507 |
Schaumburg, IL |
Woodfield Mall Woodfield Mall is an upscale shopping mall located in Schaumburg, Illinois at the intersection of Golf Road and Illinois Route 53. Woodfield opened on September 9, 1971 with 59 stores, growing to 189 stores with 1.9 million retail square feet by 1973, the largest mall in the United States at that...
|
Closed 9/11/09 |
| 1508 |
Auburn Hills, MI |
Great Lakes Crossing Great Lakes Crossing is an enclosed shopping mall located in the city of Auburn Hills, a suburb of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Developed and owned by Taubman Centers, Great Lakes Crossing features over 180 stores and restaurants, a food court, and a 25-screen Star movie theater...
|
Opened the same day as 1509
Closed 9/19/09, same day as 1509 |
| 1509 |
Novi, MI |
Twelve Oaks Mall Twelve Oaks Mall is an upscale, super-regional full-line shopping mall 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 9/19/09, same day as 1508 |
| 1511 |
Appleton, WI |
Fox River -Populated places:*Fox River, Alaska in the United States*Fox River, Wisconsin in the United States*Fox River Township, Davis County, Iowa in the United States*Fox River, Nova Scotia in Canada...
|
Closed 8/31/09 |
| 1590 |
St. Louis, MO |
RIDEMAKERZ Garage |
Warehouse location
Closed 8/12/09
Replaced with a location in Garden Grove, CaliforniaGarden Grove is a city located in northern Orange County, California, United States. In 2009, the city's population was estimated at 174,715. 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...
|
RZ Virtual World
December 2008December 2008 was the 12th month of the leap year. It began on a Monday and ended after 31 days on a Wednesday.-International Holidays:* December 8 - Immaculate Conception.* December 8 - Eid al-Adha.* December 21 - Hanukkah begins at sundown....
- Ridemakerz launched their
Ridemakerz Virtual World, which is similar to Build a Bear Workshops
Build-A-Bearville, for closed beta testing.
March 2009March 2009 was the third month of the current year. It began on a Sunday and ended after 31 days on a Tuesday.-Portal:Current events:This is an archived version of Wikipedia's Current events Portal from March 2009....
- RZ Virtual World opened from its closed beta test.
September 2009September 2009 was the 9th month of the current year. It began on a Tuesday and ended after 30 days on a Wednesday.- Portal:Current events :This is an archived version of Wikipedia's Current events Portal from September 2009....
- Ridemakerz stopped tech support for their virtual world.
External links