08/01/2024
Exactly 30 years ago, on August 1, 1994, I opened my first retail computer store. I was 26. It was located in Cheviot where I grew up, at a historic location that used to be a Buddy Roger's Music. I remember vividly being up on scaffolding, cleaning the beautiful high tin ceilings. I never dreamed that location would oneday be mine. I remember watching the O.J. trial almost every day at work.
The next year I spun-off a 2nd location, on Beechmont in the old Sight N Sound building. This was also surreal as I worked for them in college! Eventually there was a Florence location, and one downtown across from Tower Place Mall in the historic Richter & Phillips spot (talk about high ceilings!). In 2001, I opened DR Micro Computers Cincinnati in the current 8016 Beechmont location and remember watching 9/11 coverage here.
That was before Internet sales or even Best Buy. PCs back then cost over $1200. Monthly revenue was insane (but so were expenses), and my life before I was even 30 was somewhat "Wolf of Wall Street" trying to handle so much cash flow.
I've been in business through EVERY version of Windows (since DOS). I was in business before Internet was needed at a business, let alone at home.
For 15 years, I did a live call-in radio show called "Geek Talk." There were billboards, radio and TV spots, and a crappy public access TV show I did. The industry I am in (retail "brick and mortar" computer sales and service was first blossoming, growing, exploding and is now fading during these 30 years.
But I'm still here, and 24+ years at my same location on Beechmont. I humbly and sincerely thank everyone, past and current customers and employees, for letting me be my own boss since 23.
Thanks for 30 years of loyalty and support,
Doug Neiheisel
Owner, DR Micro Computers
![Beautiful sunrise here at the new Hoth location of DR Micro Computers. 🥶❄️[That's a Star Wars reference, folks...]](https://img3.computers1000.com/423/385/1367464584233859.jpg)
