Latest news with #MaxWilson
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pocket Storage and Forum Partners Launch Technology-Enabled Self-Storage Platform Focused on Adaptive Reuse in Ultra-Urban Markets
LONDON, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pocket Storage, a U.K.-based vertically integrated owner and operator of self-storage properties, and Forum Partners, a leading global real estate investment and asset management firm, today announced their collaboration to launch a technology-enabled self-storage platform that will deliver secure, convenient and fully automated self-storage facilities in ultra-urban markets in the U.K. "Due to high real estate costs, space limitations, zoning challenges and elevated operating costs, traditional self-storage operators have minimal exposure to densely populated urban areas," said Max Wilson, CEO and co-founder of Pocket Storage. "Our new platform's focus on leasing underutilized space coupled with a proprietary and fully automated booking and access system solves the traditional challenges of operating in urban areas." Pocket Storage intends to open 38,000 square feet across three centrally located London facilities throughout 2025, with the first location expected to open in the third quarter. The company believes London is an ideal first market since it has 13.5% of the country's population and is accountable for 25% of its GDP but only provides 0.4 square feet of self-storage per capita—less than half of the U.K. national average. Pocket combines proprietary booking and site access software with a real estate strategy focused on repurposing underutilized urban spaces to deliver fully automated and centrally located storage facilities in under-serviced markets. This differentiated approach enables Pocket to solve the challenges traditionally associated with operating self-storage properties in dense, urban environments: limited space and staffing costs. Co-founder Louis Arron stated, "This is an eloquent solution that provides convenience for the consumer and economic benefit for owners of vacant retail space and underutilized parking garages. We don't need a large footprint or extensive capital investment, and our operating flexibility can quickly bring units to market in various asset types." Wilson previously founded and scaled Spokesafe, a similar technology-enabled bike storage platform with approximately 30 locations throughout the U.K. He and Arron bring extensive experience in commercial real estate investment and development to Pocket's management team. Additionally, Pocket has partnered with Forum Partners, an investment manager with more than $7.7 billion deployed in real estate companies across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, to launch and grow the new platform. "The investment thesis and the Pocket team align perfectly with Forum's top-down approach centered around identifying operating partners, property sectors, trends and geographies that we believe possess the capability to achieve outsized risk-adjusted returns," said Russell Platt, CEO of Forum Partners. "We couldn't be more excited to see where we can take this." After reaching scale in the U.K., Pocket Storage intends to expand across targeted urban markets worldwide through Forum's global real estate platform and beyond, in such key markets as New York City, Paris, Tokyo and other space-constrained city centers. About Forum PartnersForum Partners is a global investment manager focused on investing in real assets and best-in-class real estate companies. Since its establishment in 2002, Forum has deployed approximately $7.7 billion of capital across 24 countries and over 100 investments. The company's strength lies in identifying a catalyst for unlocking asset and enterprise value and tailoring investments accordingly. Forum's portfolio of operating companies and affiliates directly or indirectly own or manage over $14 billion of commercial real estate in the United States and worldwide. For more information, visit About Pocket StoragePocket Storage is an ultra-urban self-storage platform that aims to provide secure, convenient, fully automated self-storage facilities to densely populated urban areas. The Platform's use of proprietary software for booking and access in tandem with its focus on underutilized spaces (i.e., car parks, vacant retail) solves the traditional challenges of self-storage operation in urban areas. For more information, visit Contact: Jennifer FranklinSpotlight Marketing Communications (949) 427-1385jennifer@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Forum Partners
Scottish Sun
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Most valuable retro computer games worth £1.5million – do you have one of these in your attic?
DUST off those old boxes gathering dust in the loft, as the retro gaming market is thriving - and some long-forgotten treasures could fetch a tidy sum. Games once dismissed as outdated are now highly sought-after collectables, fetching eye-watering prices at auction. 4 We've compared the prices of games recently sold directly by owners on eBay with the record-breaking figures achieved through formal auctions A sealed, first-print Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) achieved a £1.5million sale in 2021, setting a record as the most expensive video game ever sold. While a gold Nintendo World Championships 1990 cartridge sold for over £160,000 last year as fewer than 20 confirmed copies exist. However, some of the rarest and most valuable games out there aren't necessarily the ones you'd expect. Karlo Čičko, tech expert and software developer at GameBoost, said: "One thing I've learned from working at GameBoost and spending time around serious collectors is that it's not always about Mario or Zelda. "Some of the real unicorns are tied to obscure competitions, tiny production runs, or even developer mistakes." With this in mind, we delve into some of the most valuable retro games you might unknowingly have tucked away in storage on consoles you once played on. To give you a clearer picture, we've compared the prices of games recently sold directly by owners on eBay against the record-breaking figures achieved through formal auctions at Heritage Auctions, the world's largest auctioneer of collectables. Games at auction tend to sell for far more overall as these items are typically sealed and in pristine condition. If you find you have an unopened retro game, it's worth getting advice on how much it could be worth through a specialist auctioneer group. Copies not in tip top condition are still in high demand, however, and fetch thousands of pounds through eBay. You never know, that forgotten box in your loft could be hiding a small fortune. Original '90s TV ad for N64 game Super Mario 64 now worth thousands NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM 4 The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), known as the Famicom in Japan, is an 8-bit home video game console developed and released by Nintendo in 1983 Max Wilson, storage expert and co-founder of Pocket Storage, said: "NES consoles and games are some of the most valuable gaming items you can find in storage. "A 1988 NES console, for instance, can sell for over £5,000 on eBay—a staggering increase of more than 3,000% from its original price of around £157." When it comes to retro console games, Super Mario Bros. reigns supreme in terms of value. A sealed, first-print copy of the game for the NES, identifiable by its rare horizontal sticker seal, sold for an eye-watering £1.5 million in 2021. Karlo says that if you're lucky enough to own one, be sure to inspect the sticker seal carefully - any ripples or lifts, no matter how minor, can significantly affect its value. Even outside of formal auctions, private sellers on eBay have recently achieved up to £7,395.74 for their copies, proving the enduring appeal of this gaming classic. And it's not just Super Mario Bros. commanding top prices. A sealed, first-production run copy of The Legend of Zelda smashed records in 2024, selling for over £220,000 - further evidence that retro gaming remains a lucrative market. Private sellers can also expect to fetch up to £2,154.50 when selling the same game on eBay. Karlo added: "Focus on the box code NES-ZL-USA without any Rev-A mark and check that the inner flap carries a printed five digit lot code rather than handwriting. "Foil front boxes oxidise faster than paper stock, so store them in a climate vault at 18°C and monitor temperature swings with a data logger." SUPER NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM 4 Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) consoles can sell for nearly £2,000 Max said: "SNES was the newer version of the NES console, featuring a 16-bit console and as a result better graphics and sound capabilities. "When it was released, the SNES cost just £157 and was a huge breakthrough for gaming. "As a result, the console and its compatible games are worth a pretty penny on the resale market — SNES consoles can go for nearly £2,000 on eBay." When it comes to retro games for this console, The Legend of Zelda stands out as a true heavyweight in terms of value. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past has fetched as much as £72,141.94 at auction. However, more common titles like Super Mario Kart typically sell for a few thousand pounds, with recent eBay sales averaging around £5,588.06. ATARI 2600 4 The original model Atari 2600 Video Computer System can fetch £20,000 on eBay Max said: "The Atari 2600 was released in 1977 at around £157. "Today, it's one of the most nostalgia-igniting consoles ever made, and can resale on eBay for nearly £20,000. "If you have any of its games lying around in storage, you'll be in for a happy surprise, because they can be just as lucrative as their compatible console." While prices for Atari 2600 games vary significantly, some titles command surprisingly high prices. For instance, Pac-Man has sold for an impressive £23,448.60, while Mario Bros. has commanded as much as £14,869.67 at auction. That said, the majority of Atari 2600 games tend to sell for considerably less. Recent eBay sales often average a few hundred pounds or less—still a significant increase compared to their original retail price.
The Sun
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Most valuable retro computer games worth £1.5million – do you have one of these in your attic?
DUST off those old boxes gathering dust in the loft, as the retro gaming market is thriving - and some long-forgotten treasures could fetch a tidy sum. Games once dismissed as outdated are now highly sought-after collectables, fetching eye-watering prices at auction. A sealed, first-print Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) achieved a £1.5million sale in 2021, setting a record as the most expensive video game ever sold. While a gold Nintendo World Championships 1990 cartridge sold for over £160,000 last year as fewer than 20 confirmed copies exist. However, some of the rarest and most valuable games out there aren't necessarily the ones you'd expect. Karlo Čičko, tech expert and software developer at GameBoost, said: "One thing I've learned from working at GameBoost and spending time around serious collectors is that it's not always about Mario or Zelda. "Some of the real unicorns are tied to obscure competitions, tiny production runs, or even developer mistakes." With this in mind, we delve into some of the most valuable retro games you might unknowingly have tucked away in storage on consoles you once played on. To give you a clearer picture, we've compared the prices of games recently sold directly by owners on eBay against the record-breaking figures achieved through formal auctions at Heritage Auctions, the world's largest auctioneer of collectables. Games at auction tend to sell for far more overall as these items are typically sealed and in pristine condition. If you find you have an unopened retro game, it's worth getting advice on how much it could be worth through a specialist auctioneer group. Copies not in tip top condition are still in high demand, however, and fetch thousands of pounds through eBay. You never know, that forgotten box in your loft could be hiding a small fortune. Original '90s TV ad for N64 game Super Mario 64 now worth thousands NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM 4 Max Wilson, storage expert and co-founder of Pocket Storage, said: "NES consoles and games are some of the most valuable gaming items you can find in storage. "A 1988 NES console, for instance, can sell for over £5,000 on eBay—a staggering increase of more than 3,000% from its original price of around £157." When it comes to retro console games, Super Mario Bros. reigns supreme in terms of value. A sealed, first-print copy of the game for the NES, identifiable by its rare horizontal sticker seal, sold for an eye-watering £1.5 million in 2021. Karlo says that if you're lucky enough to own one, be sure to inspect the sticker seal carefully - any ripples or lifts, no matter how minor, can significantly affect its value. Even outside of formal auctions, private sellers on eBay have recently achieved up to £7,395.74 for their copies, proving the enduring appeal of this gaming classic. And it's not just Super Mario Bros. commanding top prices. A sealed, first-production run copy of The Legend of Zelda smashed records in 2024, selling for over £220,000 - further evidence that retro gaming remains a lucrative market. Private sellers can also expect to fetch up to £2,154.50 when selling the same game on eBay. Karlo added: "Focus on the box code NES-ZL-USA without any Rev-A mark and check that the inner flap carries a printed five digit lot code rather than handwriting. "Foil front boxes oxidise faster than paper stock, so store them in a climate vault at 18°C and monitor temperature swings with a data logger." SUPER NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM 4 Max said: "SNES was the newer version of the NES console, featuring a 16-bit console and as a result better graphics and sound capabilities. "When it was released, the SNES cost just £157 and was a huge breakthrough for gaming. "As a result, the console and its compatible games are worth a pretty penny on the resale market — SNES consoles can go for nearly £2,000 on eBay." When it comes to retro games for this console, The Legend of Zelda stands out as a true heavyweight in terms of value. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past has fetched as much as £72,141.94 at auction. However, more common titles like Super Mario Kart typically sell for a few thousand pounds, with recent eBay sales averaging around £5,588.06. ATARI 2600 Max said: "The Atari 2600 was released in 1977 at around £157. "Today, it's one of the most nostalgia-igniting consoles ever made, and can resale on eBay for nearly £20,000. "If you have any of its games lying around in storage, you'll be in for a happy surprise, because they can be just as lucrative as their compatible console." While prices for Atari 2600 games vary significantly, some titles command surprisingly high prices. For instance, Pac-Man has sold for an impressive £23,448.60, while Mario Bros. has commanded as much as £14,869.67 at auction. That said, the majority of Atari 2600 games tend to sell for considerably less. Recent eBay sales often average a few hundred pounds or less—still a significant increase compared to their original retail price. How to store your retro video games IF you are keeping hold of old consoles and video games hoping they could one day be worth a small fortune, following these five tips can make sure they stay in top condition to maximise their value... Clean everything thoroughly before storing it. Use appropriate, non-abrasive cleaning solutions and tools tailored to the specific materials (plastic, metal, labels, etc.). Dust, grime, and even fingerprints can degrade surfaces over time — proactive cleaning minimises long-term damage. Keep an eye on the temperature and humidity in your storage space. Avoid storing them in attics, basements, and garages where these variables are often extreme. The ideal conditions should mimic a living space — stable temperatures and moderate humidity. This prevents warping, corrosion, and label damage. Use proper packaging to protect your items from bumps and scratches. The original packaging is ideal (and also adds value to the game), but sturdy boxes with ample will also work. Organise and label everything so you can easily find what you're looking for. A spreadsheet or database can be helpful for cataloguing your collection.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bemidji Chamber Ambassadors welcome 7 Brew Coffee
Feb. 15—Bemidji Chamber Ambassadors recently congratulated 7 Brew Coffee on the opening of their new business, located at 1709 Paul Bunyan Drive NW. More than your standard coffee stand, 7 Brew offers over 20,000 unique drink combinations. From the original Blondie, a caramel and vanilla breve, to 7 Energy, smoothies, shakes and teas, there is something for everyone at 7 Brew, a release said. The brand boasts more than 300 stands across the country. "We are thrilled to open our first stand in Minnesota and bring 7 Brew's delicious drinks, high energy and contagious kindness to the Bemidji community," said Max Wilson, operations director of 7 Brew Bemidji, in the release. The 7 Brew stand will add 50 jobs to the Bemidji area. Those interested in joining the Brew Crew should apply at
