In a small storefront just off Highway 98 in Fort Walton Beach, shelves lined with colorful cartridges and classic consoles transport visitors back to their childhoods. This is RadJunk, the first business opened by local entrepreneurs (husband and wife duo) Joe Alonzo and Sam Vandiver. 

• But it’s just one piece of the couple’s growing “rad” empire that has expanded to include a retro arcade bar, annual gaming convention, food truck, and booming YouTube channel.

What started as a shared passion for collecting vintage video games has blossomed into a multifaceted business venture that aims to provide unique entertainment experiences for the local community. Over the past eight years, Alonzo and Vandiver have steadily grown their brand while staying true to their laid-back, “punk rock” ethos.

“We like to do everything a little bit more, for lack of a better term, punk rock or laid back,” said Alonzo. “So I buy these arcade games, but it was always in the back of my mind, even while we were doing RadJunk, that we need to open more businesses.”

The origins of their business date back to 2011, when Vandiver began making and selling video game-themed jewelry online. Her Pokémon-inspired creations caught the attention of BuzzFeed, leading to viral success.

• “I was making Jigglypuff sports bras from Swarovski pearls,” Vandiver recalled. “And I did a couple of other ones, but the Jigglypuffs were the main staple. It got shared on BuzzFeed, which was really cool.”

The couple began selling Vandiver’s creations at conventions alongside vintage games and consoles they had collected. This early success laid the foundation for their future ventures, combining their passion for retro gaming with a keen eye for marketable products.

RadJunk: Where It All Began

In 2016, a chance encounter sparked the decision to open their first brick-and-mortar store. “I drove around town the next day and I found a for lease sign and I signed the lease that day on the building,” said Alonze. “….And we were not ready.”

With only three weeks to prepare, the couple scrambled to get RadJunk up and running, even raiding a closing Movie Stop for shelving units the morning of their grand opening. Despite the hectic start, the store quickly found its footing as a haven for retro gaming enthusiasts.

Rad Junk offers a wide range of vintage video games, consoles, and accessories. From Atari to PlayStation 5, the store caters to gamers of all generations. But it’s more than just a retail space – it’s a community hub where collectors and casual gamers alike can share their passion for gaming history.

• “We are primarily a retro video game store,” Alonzo explained. “We sell everything from Atari to modern games like PS5 stuff. However, there’s also some video game related things in here like collectibles and such.”

The store’s success is built on more than just nostalgia. Alonzo and Vandiver pride themselves on their knowledge and commitment to quality. “We’re all based on trade-ins. It’s not like I can go order a new Mario 64,” Vandiver said. “We have to wait for one to walk in, or I have to go find one. But that’s doable.”

This dedication to authenticity and customer service has helped RadJunk build a loyal customer base. “We keep a wish list of stuff when people are looking for specific things,” Vandiver added. “People like us enough sometimes to wait and people want to get stuff locally.”

Expanding the Empire: Rad Bar

Three years after opening RadJunk, Alonzo and Vandiver set their sights on a new venture – an arcade bar that would combine their love of classic games with craft beer. RadBar opened its doors in December 2019, just months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

“We persevered and made it through and we’re fine now,” Alonzo said, who had quit his day job in March 2020 to focus on the ventures.

RadBar offers a rotating selection of unique craft beers alongside classic arcade cabinets and pinball machines. The couple caps drink prices at $10 to keep things affordable while still offering premium options.

• “I want you to be able to come in, play some games, and try a beer that you’ve never had before,” Vandiver explained. “Not having the cocktail options, I think, inspired that a little bit, but I’m also a beer nerd, so I just really like to try new stuff.”

The bar has become a popular hangout spot for both locals and tourists. Vandiver noted that many RadBar patrons are unaware of Rad Junk’s existence, and vice versa, creating two distinct but overlapping customer bases.

Really Rad Weekend: A Gaming Getaway

In 2021, the couple revived a local gaming convention they had previously helped organize. Rebranded as Really Rad Weekend, the annual event brings together retro gaming enthusiasts, collectors, and industry guests for a weekend of tournaments, panels, and socializing.

“We’re the anti-convention,” Alonzo said. “We know that the reason why a lot of people go to conventions, at least in our circles, is mainly for the communal aspect. So that’s why we have a really cool resort that we host it at.”

Really Rad Weekend has featured notable guests from the gaming world, including voice actors and popular YouTubers. “This year we’ve got Jon St. John, who’s the voice of Duke Nukem. We’ve got Bill Rogers, who’s the voice of Brock from Pokemon, as well as a bunch of other games,” Alonzo shared.

• The event has grown each year, attracting attendees from across the country. “It’s been pretty positive. As far as conventions go, it’s very low key and chill,” Vandiver said. “It’s nothing like going to other conventions where it’s crazy and crowded and there’s a lot of hustle and bustle. It’s much calmer.”

This laid-back atmosphere has earned Really Rad Weekend a reputation as a “convention for people who maybe don’t like conventions that much,” according to Vandiver. The event serves as a capstone to the convention season, offering attendees a chance to unwind and connect with fellow enthusiasts in a more relaxed setting.

Rad Food Truck: The Newest Venture

The latest addition to their business portfolio is Rad Food Truck, which is set to begin operations in the coming weeks. Alonzo, who has a background in the culinary world, plans to offer gourmet burgers and elevated takes on food truck classics.

• “The whole idea is to make something that is once again affordable, but it’s good,” he explained. “I hate the term, but something that is slightly elevated versus your standard food truck fare.”

The food truck concept grew out of necessity during the pandemic when they needed to offer food to maintain their alcohol license at RadBar. Now, it’s evolving into its own distinct brand within the Rad umbrella.

“We’re going with a burger-focused menu right off the rip. We’re going to have four specialty burgers that are designed and concocted by not only myself, but my staff has had a lot of input on it,” Alonzo shared. “It’s things that I think will give you a reason to keep coming back, but also it won’t be your average burger.”

YouTube Fame: An Unexpected Turn

While steadily expanding their local businesses, Alonzo and Vandiver never expected to find viral fame on YouTube. But a chance encounter with a fan in California earlier this year prompted them to start documenting their daily operations at RadJunk.

“We’re walking around Pasadena, California, two miles from the convention center, and this kid walks up to Sam, and he’s shaking. And he says, ‘Are you RadJunk?'” Alonzo recounted. “And we’re like, what? And he said, ‘I’ve seen you on Pixel Game Squad’s channel. You’re the girl that owns a video game store in Florida, right?'”

• Realizing there was interest in their business beyond the local community, the couple began posting videos showcasing life at RadJunk. Their subscriber count exploded, going from just a few thousand to over 60,000 in less than two months.

“Being a recognizable YouTuber was not on my 2024 bingo card,” Vandiver said. “It’s been weird. I think because it’s happened so fast and I went from just having a game store to all these people coming saying, ‘Hey, I saw you on YouTube and I came here just because I saw your video.'”

One of Vandiver’s videos, offering tips for video game store owners, has racked up over 2 million views across YouTube and Instagram. The unexpected online fame has brought a new wave of customers to their brick-and-mortar businesses and increased interest in Really Rad Weekend.

“We’ve already seen people buying tickets for the convention this year that only found out about us through YouTube,” Alonzo said. “It’s insane.”

Community Focus: The Heart of Rad

Throughout their business journey, Alonzo and Vandiver have maintained a strong focus on building community and providing unique experiences for their customers. From hosting birthday parties at RadBar to donating convention profits to local charities, the couple sees their businesses as more than just money-making ventures.

• “We want to provide something for the community and as long as we keep doing that we’re going to keep going,” Alonzo said. “It’s very gratifying to see people still enjoy it and that’s the biggest takeaway from it. Because if nobody enjoyed it then I’m just going to do something else.”

Their businesses have become gathering places for like-minded individuals to connect over shared interests. Parents bringing children to RadBar for birthday parties often find themselves drawn into the world of retro gaming, bridging generational gaps through shared experiences.

“Parents book multiple parties for their kids, but really, it’s for them too,” Vandiver said.

This community-centric approach extends to their convention as well. Really Rad Weekend serves not only as a celebration of gaming culture but also as a platform for giving back. “We donate all of the profits to local nonprofits,” Alonzo explained.

Looking to the Future: The Rad Empire Grows

As they reflect on eight years of business growth, Alonzo and Vandiver show no signs of slowing down. The family of two has also expanded with the addition of Joey, the couple’s son. They also have plans to expand their merchandise offerings and potentially launch a streetwear brand under the “RadCorp” umbrella.

• “You have this image in your head of this dystopian future, with all of these corporations in the cyberpunk world, and these giant, dark, looming towers,” Alonzo explained. “And then there’s these underground offshoot sectors. That’s us, we’re the underground.”

This vision of being the “underground” alternative to mainstream entertainment options drives their decision-making and brand identity. It’s a philosophy that resonates with their customers and has helped them carve out a unique niche in the local business landscape.

For now, the couple is focused on getting their food truck up and running while continuing to grow their YouTube presence. They’re still adjusting to their newfound online fame but remain committed to the laid-back, community-centered approach that has defined their businesses from the start.

• “Eight years hasn’t felt like eight years, it’s felt like eight months,” Alonzo reflected. “It’s just one of those things where it’s very gratifying to see people still enjoy it.”

As they look to the future, Alonzo and Vandiver are excited about the possibilities for further expansion. They’ve discussed the potential for in-house merchandise production and are constantly brainstorming new ideas to add to their Rad empire. From vintage video games to craft beers and gourmet burgers, their growing brand offers something for everyone while staying true to its retro roots.