Just so we are on the same page. My Adventureland Video, while loosely inspired by the chain, was not a franchise. In fact, my video store opened long after the chain had closed.
First, we should start with my love for movies. More specifically a CED videodisc rental store. Confused? The huge audio/video record predates Beta. A precurser to those VHS tapes.
Anyway, this video store from the early 80s was my theme park. Rack after rack of flat discs promised untold adventures. There was a huge functioning TV too. Together, it lit a flame in young heart.
I loved movies and I wanted to share them. So the video store seemed like a perfect fit. Of course, VHS rentals replaced CED. While I experienced other stores, I never forgot my first.
As a teenager, I spotted a sign in an old store front that read Adventureland Video. The building was empty so I was not sure what it had been. But I knew that I loved that name.
Fast forward yet again. A friend had added video rentals to her laundromat. When she lost her lease, I adopted her video store inventory. Having lost my grandparents, I was looking for a fresh start or a new me.
This fresh start took me to Florida. Where I experienced even more video stores. Bought many more VHS movies too. Found a great teacher in The Movie Source and Video Travelor.
During this time, I had my heart set on an old restaurant. The old pool room was going to be my apartment. I hoped that an attached barber shop would be my video store.
Unfortunately, that part of the plan fell through. So I rented half of an old grocery store. Business was good so when that ultimatum come -- buy it or move -- I bought it.
Space was a premium and I was developing grandiose ideas. Our only storage was behind the counter. We added a longer counter to try and improve things.
Feeling the squeeze, I started craving the back office and stock room we already owned. There was just one problem, we had to get there. That seemed simple enough.
My youthful ignorance had already amassed a huge debt load on 2 cards. Convinced of whopping payday ahead, I set out to remodel on a third card.
In the end, I just could not keep up with the massive debt load. We had closed to remodel. So there was no money coming in. I have no doubt that you see countless mistakes I made. I will only say that you can't see the forest for the trees.  

If you find wanting to go into business, here is some advice:
* Incorporate to protect you and your family.
* Use an indie accountant for a fresh perspective.
* Document everything and keep those records.
* Knives & credit cards are both useful tools that can hurt you.
* Never put all of your eggs in one basket.