TechOutfitters in Point Loma lends a whole new meaning to one-stop shop. In fact, the high-tech haven is actually three businesses in one: a coffee shop, a retail outlet and a repair store.
About to celebrate its third anniversary at 1302 Rosecrans St., co-owner Susan Schedel talked about her winning business model.
“We’re a unique triple play here,” said Schedel, who is from a retail tech sales background. “We’re actually operating three businesses under the same roof. One is a barista bar, Point Loma Coffee. The second is retail selling consumer electronics. The third is repairs.”
The repair section handles TV repairs and mounting, micro soldering and repairs to iPhones and other devices with cracked screens, battery problems, etc. A 90-day warranty comes with every repaired device.
Schedel said the three-in-one concept was launched in part because “going into a strictly retail environment these days with Amazon is extremely risky. So what we chose to do is diversify and offer two things that you can’t buy on Amazon: a delicious cup of local coffee along with service and repair.”
“People come in and say, ‘This is such a cool concept, are you a franchise?’ ” said Schedel to which she replies, “Well not yet. We opened the store about three years ago to find a formula that works. Now we’re starting to expand.”
Part of that new expansion will be revealed Saturday, Aug. 17 at a smart launch third-anniversary party at TechOutfitters. The company will announce a new partnership with Wellbots, an online consumer electronics firm and the leading retailer of smart products in the nation featuring brands like DJI, iRobot, Segway, August, Ring, Garmin, Polaroid, Sony and 200 other brands.
Repair is an important part of the business. Of her staff, Schedel said, “They’re patient. They’ll do house calls. They’ll sit with folks and help them understand their problems.
“It’s our job to educate consumers, let them know they have alternatives,” added Schedel. “Our business is to help find the best solution for the individual. And if you’re getting a service, then you get a free coffee.”
At monthly Saturday morning techtalks, TechOutfitters invites consumers in and answers their questions.
During a storewide walk-through, Schedel demonstrated some of the many cutting-edge products she carries, like Fugoo waterproof wireless speakers, PopSockets phone grips, extra memories for various devices, Brydge keyboards turning iPads into computers and Activ5, an isometric-based portable strength-training device and coaching app, sort of a digital hand grip squeezer.
At the end of her tour, Schedel unveiled one of the many technological wonder, smart products available at TechOutfitters, a square robotic Robot self-service window washer that clamps onto windows doing all the work by itself.
TechOutfitters tagline for all its products and services is reflective of its mission, “Get your fix.” TechOutfitters
1302 Rosecrans St.
619-906-5872
techoutfitters.com
