New storefront to open on Montcalm Street

TICONDEROGA | What exactly is happening within the walls of 85 Montcalm St., which has become known as the bright green building on Ti's main street? Passersby may have noticed that the building didn't stay vacant for long after the previous business moved out- the windows are illuminated from within, and the displays are beginning to fill up. This is because Riley Dinsmore, a 19-year-old entrepreneur, is opening his first business, That's RAD, come the beginning of November. "I'd been wanting to open up a shop like this for a long time, I have been working at it for over a year now, and it just kept getting postponed," explained Dinsmore as he and his father, Kyle, worked side by side moving boxes and arranging products on shelves. "When the space opened up, I was super excited, we moved in instantly as soon as we got the OK from the landlord. I have always thought it would be a perfect spot to set up here- nobody is here yet doing the same kind of thing and I think it is something this town really needs." That's RAD will be the ultimate mecca for entertainment enthusiasts and collectors. Featuring everything entertainment related from the 1970s up until present day, kids can spend their time there, and parents can take a walk down memory lane, nostalgia from their own childhoods greeting them at every turn. "I'd like to get a little bit of everyone in here," Dinsmore said of the customer base he is hoping to attract. "I'm trying to have something for everybody, be it movies, music, video games, toys, guitars. I want this to be a fun space for everyone to come to. I know there's really nothing around here for children to do, and I really like that I am going to be able to provide something that will make kids happier, even adults too. There will be items from the 70s, 80s, and 90s in here, there really is something for everybody." In 2017, Dinsmore was diagnosed with cancer- Hodgkin's Lymphoma (he has since gone into remission). During that traumatic time, he was lucky enough to be the recipient of a Make A Wish, and Dinsmore's heart's desire was a classic 1980s/1990s style arcade, a wish that was granted and put into the basement of his family's former home. "I loved it, but the one downside of it was I was afraid nobody else would get to see it, we lived in a remote location at the time," Dinsmore recalled, his eyes still sparkling at the memory. "Over time, the collection grew from being arcades to video games, movies, toys, all kinds of entertainment related items- I wanted to share my collection with the world." And now the time has come where Dinsmore will be doing just that as he gears up for That's RAD's big debut and the vast collection he has amassed in the past six years will be shared with Ticonderoga, with the hope residents will enjoy his items as much as the proprietor has. "I just love to see this finally come to fruition and his dream finally start," said Kyle Dinsmore of his son's hard work. "I have watched him for years talk about something along these lines; he dreams big for sure. I have explained to him over the years everything has a beginning; you start with one business and you work hard. If you work hard, you will be successful. Riley, he has drive and passion and has proven along the way he is definitely capable." Everything within the store will be for sale, aside from the arcade games (which Dinsmore, a young bit shrewd man of business would consider parting with for "the right price"). Items that will be instantly recognizable to people include the original Mortal Kombat and Ms. Pac-Man arcade machines. Nostalgic consoles from the 80s and 90s (Atari, Sega Genesis, Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, PlayStation) will be for sale as well as set up for play. An especially rare items enthusiasts will be excited to see include Sharp's Nintendo TV, the first television with built-in NES which was released in 1989-1990. A plethora of vintage collector's guitars will be available, ranging in price points from $75-$100 all the way up to multi-thousand dollars for the hardcore collectors. Kiosk video games units, such as the ones that appeared outside of Gamestop and Walmart, will be there, as well as pop-culture related apparel, toys, movies in all formats (VHS, BEta, CD, and DVD). As one would expect, the Dinsmores have installed a high-tech security system with alarms and numerous cameras covering every angle of the property. "I definitely believe there is a market for my merchandise," Dinsmore, who has built relationships with several other business owners in the industry, acknowledged. "I'll be trying to keep my price point affordable for people. Some items will be full price for going online but we have our Value Wall where all the games on the wall will be $6.48, that will be able to have it so some people can get a better deal. Another wall of movies that will be $3 a piece, and CDs $3 a piece." Dinsmore believes That's RAD will be beneficial to the community due to the options it will provide for children and families, especially in the long winter months where entertainment options are limited and boredom and cabin fever reach a crescendo. "We are planning right now to do at least once a week some kind of activity where people can come in and play games, Mario Kart against each other or Mortal Kombat on the original machine for example, things like that," said Dinsmore. "We are going to try and change it up every week so there is something new for people. It will be after hours so people can come and participate and not worry about work." Long-term, pending this initial venture is successful, Dinsmore envisions opening That's RAD branches in other locations similar to Ti that didn't have something similar previously, spreading his stores across the country being the end-game. As his father instilled in him, it all starts with one. "I am most proud of being able to be where I am at now with my age. I know I am very lucky to be 19 and be opening up my own business, especially something like this. It has taken years of collecting and finding this stuff and building to get it to where I am at now," admitted Dinsmore. "I am very thankful that everyone in the community has helped me along the way in building this. I wouldn't be here without them; especially when I was going through treatments, Friends Comforting Friends helped me out. If I didn't have that kind of help, I probably wouldn't be here today. I am very, very proud and thankful of all the help the community has given to get me here. This is a way I can give back." That's RAD will be accepting items to purchase for sale, as well as items on consignment basis. Hours of operation will be Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Please visit That's RAD on Facebook and Instagram @thatsradllc. For more information, email thatsradshop@gmail.com or call 518-586-4672.

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New storefront to open on Montcalm Street

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