Drew Steimel's journey from a passionate gamer to the founder of a thriving retro gaming empire is a story of dedication, learning, and an unwavering love for the classics. DKOldies, which began as a small basement operation, has now grown into a beloved hub for gamers of all kinds, thanks to the support of an incredible team and the values Drew learned from his early retail experiences.

From a young age, I was immersed in video and arcade games, captivated by their vast digital worlds and the sense of underground rebellion they represented. At 13, I started working at an arcade, and I quickly fell in love with the old machines. Sadly, as the gaming industry evolved rapidly, the arcade I worked at didn’t last long.

By the time I was 15, I had moved on to a job at a local comic book and baseball card store, where I spent the next six years. That store was something special—filled with old sealed packs of cards from the '70s, every comic book you could imagine, and a warm, family atmosphere that made everyone feel welcome. Working there, I learned the ins and outs of running a retail store, understanding what customers wanted, and most importantly, how they wanted to be treated. But when the store was sold to Electronic Boutique in the late '90s, it quickly went out of business. This experience taught me the stark differences between a family-owned business and a big corporation, and how much quality customer service can be lost in the process.

In the early 2000s, I began selling old NES games online, which felt a lot like my time at the comic book shop—helping people complete their collections and relive the joy of their favorite games. I used everything I had learned from my previous jobs, setting up a warehouse in my basement and soon hiring my retired father to help manage the growing business. Over the last 19+ years, DKOldies has continued to expand, appealing to both hardcore gamers and those just looking to revisit their childhood memories.

DKOldies.com is made for the modern day but built on the timeless principles I learned from my brick-and-mortar experiences. My team and I genuinely care about our customers, their families, and the games we offer. We work hard to live up to our positive reviews, providing the best service possible. Life can be tough, but buying video games shouldn’t be—that’s why we’ve made our site easy to navigate and our ordering process simple. DKOldies is for everyone, a place where you can find what you’re looking for and feel welcome while doing it. My goal has always been to create an online store that captures the essence of that old collectible shop I worked at as a kid. I love collecting and playing old games, and I want you to love it too!

None of this would be possible without our amazing team. Scott oversees operations, ensuring everything runs smoothly. Dustin handles everything else, making sure nothing is overlooked. Joey, the face of our company, connects with our customers and creates engaging content. Heather makes sure every game is clean, and Paul upholds our refurbishing standards. And let’s not forget our 70 other local employees who work hard every day to make DKOldies the best it can be. Together, we’re dedicated to bringing you the ultimate retro gaming experience.

What truly sets DKOldies apart are our core values. We believe in inclusivity in gaming, focusing on creating good memories and social experiences. We are committed to authenticity, avoiding reproductions and illegal ROMs, and continuously striving to improve based on feedback, always aiming for perfection and have the best warranty in the industry to back that up. These values, along with our dedication to customer satisfaction, have helped build a loyal community that includes everyone from hardcore gamers to parents looking for the perfect gift.

DKOldies has grown from a basement operation into a thriving business, but our commitment to quality, customer service, and the love of gaming remains at the heart of everything we do. We’re here to bring joy to people of all ages, solidifying our place as a beloved hub for everyone, whether you're a dedicated gamer or just someone looking for a great gift.