This is the first in a series of interviews on how the WantecVR community came together
How did you first hear about WantecVR?
"I heard about WantecVR in 2020 during the original League Night."
What is your first memory at WantecVR as a customer?
"I was fighting for first place in the race, and my simulator disconnected, leading the owner to give me the second-place prize without even finishing the race."
When did you know WantecVR was staying at?
I was hired by a guy named Clay Crockett, who before WantecVR was a long time friend of mine. Clay Crockett has a strange way of knowing good business ideas from bad ones, so if he hires me, I trust the place. Eventually, I saw how popular the appeal was for people to drive realistic cars against each other, even if it’s only once. There’s nowhere else on this side of the country that has anything similar to what we have here at Wantec.
What was WantecVR like when you first started?
"Wantec was a lot different when I started working here. It was exclusively a place to do sim racing and VR. The front desk was at the front of the building, Stef’s office is where the simulators currently are, the kitchen was known as the “Shooting Cinema” and had an arcade style shooting game, and there was no alcohol."
What kind of improvements are you wanting to see out of WantecVR?
"For me, I want to see the employees make a conscious effort to fully turn off all the equipment during close. There have been many times where Anvio and the simulators have been left running with their respective headsets/computers left on, wearing them down quicker."
Why is Wantec worth staying at?
"Wantec is worth staying at because of the people that come here regularly, the employees that currently work here, and the fact that there is nowhere in this country like this establishment. We bring the car community together in such a way that not even big car meets can, and we give people an affordable outlet to try VR for the first time, and we have an exclusive set of games for people to play."
What makes Wantec different as a bar aside from our games and virtual reality?
"As a bar, in all the best ways it is much less “professional” than other bars. The employees are happy to find your sense of humor and adapt to it rather than focus on being as nice and empathetic as bartenders probably should be, but it keeps customers engaged."
What makes a “regular” at WantecVR in your opinion?
"A regular at Wantec is not only someone who comes in frequently but also someone who walks in and has a bunch of different people pause their conversations to greet them."
What is your favorite drink and why?
"I enjoy Howler Head on the rocks. I’m a bourbon guy, but when I’m here, I don’t want the classic taste of bourbon. Having that added banana flavor makes it feel like a mixed drink while keeping the good qualities of bourbon."
Check back for more interviews! They're only going to get better!
Comments