How a Glasgow arcade owner used nostalgia and design to grow a merch line
"Having Gelato means I’m doing half the work I thought I’d have to. It’s made scaling up feel natural and easy."
Andrew, R-CADE Glasgow
From basement consoles to a community arcade
When Andrew Faulkner founded R-CADE Glasgow seven years ago, he didn’t set out to start a merch business. His dream was rooted in something more nostalgic — the feel of old CRT televisions, the sound of 8-bit games, and the joy of playing retro video games shoulder-to-shoulder with friends.
Initially, Andrew wanted to build bespoke arcade cabinets using salvaged CRT screens and classic consoles — a love letter to gaming’s golden age. But with no suitable workshop space available, he pivoted. In 2018, R-CADE opened as a physical venue where people could gather, game, and connect in person — a critical lifeline during the isolation of the pandemic years.
What began as a response to limited space at home (and a growing game collection) turned into one of Glasgow’s most beloved retro gaming hubs.
A new kind of player: merch enters the game
While the core of R-CADE is its in-person community, Andrew had always dabbled with merchandise — mugs, posters, even calendars. But managing logistics in a tight venue space was overwhelming.
Then came Gelato.
"When I started using Gelato, I was able to focus on designing, not shipping boxes or running to the post office," Andrew says. The platform’s Wix integration aligned perfectly with how R-CADE already ran its website and bookings. "It was a no-brainer."
Now, R-CADE sells canvases, apparel, and prints that reflect the same creativity and geek culture found inside its walls. With Gelato’s print-on-demand solution, customers can order nostalgic pieces — like Andrew’s beloved Scottish Super Mario-style map — without Andrew ever having to store or ship a single item.
Designs by geeks, for geeks
Most of R-CADE’s artwork is original, drawn from Andrew’s imagination and love for Scotland, gaming, and community culture. The Scottish Mario map that put R-CADE merch on the radar? That started as a personal passion project in 2017.
"I just love where I’m from. I thought, what if I made a Mario-style version of Scotland? People loved it. So I kept going." From there, Andrew introduced community collaborations, like a Pokémon-themed Scottish map with custom-designed creatures based on local feedback.
His background in graphic design shines across every touchpoint — from website visuals to posters, stickers, and product previews. Even the promotional assets for R-CADE are created in-house. “That’s my happy place — making cool stuff,” he says.
Merch that fans love — and actually want
"The feedback’s been phenomenal," Andrew shares. "The A3 canvas prints in particular have been a huge hit. They’re high-quality, easy to ship, and they really let the artwork shine."
By leveraging Gelato, R-CADE can offer a growing product line that doesn’t overwhelm Andrew or require additional staff. "Before, merch was always an idea. Now it’s a real, scalable part of the business."
Community-first strategy with low-stress operations
Though in-person gaming is still R-CADE’s heart, the online store has grown into a strategic secondary revenue stream — especially after being forced online during the pandemic.
"Back in 2020, we pivoted to streaming, YouTube content, and setting up a store on Wix," Andrew says. "But now with Gelato, it’s finally manageable long term."
Even now that the arcade is fully reopened, Gelato gives Andrew the flexibility to keep expanding merch without sacrificing his primary focus: building community.
Advice to fellow creatives and indie businesses
"Make sure you’ve got a strong base and a community. Talk to them. Get feedback. Let them help you shape what you offer. That connection makes all the difference."
He emphasizes that merch should support your business, not distract from it. "It’s not about making it your whole business overnight. But if you’ve got good designs and a real passion behind them — it just works."
