Ridemakerz
 | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
.png) | |
| Industry | Retail |
|---|---|
| Founded | June 1, 2007 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Founders | Larry Andreini Chip Foose Maxine Clark |
| Headquarters | Irvine, California, U.S. |
Key people | Larry Andreini, Chip Foose, Maxine Clark |
| Products | Toy cars |
| Website | ridemakerz |
Ridemakerz (alternatively written "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).
History
The first location opened June 1, 2007 in Myrtle Beach, SC at Broadway at the Beach.[1] Since then, twelve locations had opened in ten other states.[citation needed] In late 2009 Ridemakerz began closing most of its stores. By early 2018, it had closed ten of those twelve stores, with the two surviving stores being in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Branson, Missouri. However, a third location in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee opened in June 2018.
The company holds licenses to make the Chevrolet Corvette, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Ram, Dodge Viper, Ford F-250 Super Chief, Ford Mustang, Mini Cooper,[2] and the Scion xB.[3]
Company information
Ridemakerz is a limited liability company. 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 opened a warehouse and distribution center in Valencia, California (using the same system as Build-A-Bear) and moving its headquarters to Irvine, California. There are approximately 250 employees nationwide and 16 employees at its headquarters.[4]
References
- ^ http://www.ridemakerz.com/rz/Pages/RiderzEd/HistoryOfCars.aspx
- ^ http://www.motortrend.com/features/newswire/32961/index.html
- ^ http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=123294 [dead link]
- ^ Cruz, Sherri (July 5, 2010). "Custom Toy Car Store Pulls in Big Backers". Orange County Business Journal. 33 (37): 1, 8.