Rhino Video Games
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| File:Logo of Rhino Video Games.gif | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electronics Stores |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Founder | Mike Vorce Bruce Ruckle |
| Defunct | January 14, 2007 |
| Fate | Merged into GameStop |
| Headquarters | Gainesville, FL (USA) |
Key people | Kelly Sharp (Senior Vice President), Tully McQueen (Vice President of Operations), Karen Danner (General Manager), Joel Resnik (Director of Product), Jeff Brockmeier (Director of Operations), Brian Amador (IT Systems Director), Justin Lohmann (IT Hardware & Network Director), Eric Oria (Marketing Director), Jamie Gordon (Purchasing Manager), James Wigginton (Information Coordinator), Andy Harper (Loss Prevention Director), Kevin Campbell (District Manager), David Bauman (Lead Advertising and Designer), James McDuffie (Product Returns Director) |
| Products | Current and Classic Video Games, Accessories and Systems |
| Parent | GameStop |
| Website | Formerly http://www.rhinovideogames.com (Now redirects to GameStop) |
Rhino Video Games was a retailer specializing in video games, based in Gainesville, Florida, before being acquired by GameStop in 2007. Operating over 90 stores across fifteen U.S. states, Rhino offered both classic titles and the latest gaming products. From its inception in 1989 until 2007, the company provided customers with the option to trade in used video games and consoles toward purchases of other gaming merchandise.
Origins
The inaugural Rhino store launched in 1989 in Ocala, Florida. Mike Vorce, who served as founder and President, collaborated with Bruce Ruckle to establish a dedicated video game retailer that specialized in buying, selling, trading, and renting video game software, consoles, and accessories. By 1992, a second store opened in Gainesville, which later became the company’s flagship location as well as the site for corporate headquarters and distribution operations. That same year, Vorce brought Kelly Sharp on board as Senior Vice President; together they managed all facets of the company’s expansion including operations, finance, human resources, marketing, supply chain logistics, and real estate.
By 1996, Rhino had grown to five stores within Florida. At this stage, Vorce and Sharp appointed Tully McQueen as Vice President of Operations to help manage daily store functions in preparation for further growth. This leadership team—Vorce, Sharp, and McQueen—would continue to guide Rhino throughout its subsequent expansion and eventual acquisition by Blockbuster, Inc. In 1997, Rhino ventured beyond Florida by opening a location in Brunswick, Georgia. By 2004, the company operated around 40 stores across six southeastern states, employing over 300 staff members across retail locations, corporate offices, and distribution centers. This growth attracted acquisition interest from major industry players including GameStop, EB Games, and Blockbuster.
Acquisition by GameStop
On January 4, 2007, GameStop completed the purchase of Rhino Video Games, and by January 14, all Rhino locations had been rebranded under the GameStop name.
References
External links
- Rhino Video Games via the Internet Archive
- Pages with broken file links
- Articles needing additional references from July 2022
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- GameStop
- Defunct retail companies of the United States
- Video game retailers of the United States
- American companies established in 1989
- Retail companies established in 1989
- American companies disestablished in 2007
- Retail companies disestablished in 2007
- Companies based in Florida
- 2007 mergers and acquisitions