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ThinkGeek is an American online retailer that caters to computer enthusiasts and other "geeky" social groups. Described as a "Sharper Image for sysadmins", their merchandise, which caters to geek culture, has been likened to "toys for adults, novelties designed to appeal to both your inner child and your inner grad student."〔Honan, Matthew (September 27, 2010). ("Inside ThinkGeek, Where Mythical Meat Can Make Millions" ). ''Wired''.〕 These include clothing, electronic and scientific gadgets, unusual computer peripherals, office toys, pet toys, child toys, and caffeinated drinks and candy. ThinkGeek was founded in 1999, is based in Fairfax, Virginia, and is owned by Geeknet, a unit of GameStop. ==History== ThinkGeek was founded in 1999, and originally based in downtown McLean, Virginia. The company was founded by Jen Frazier, Jon Sime, Scott Smith, and Willie Vadnais, all of whom were running a small Internet startup (ISP) at the time, with ThinkGeek initially starting as a side project. The website's official launch date was August 13, 1999. Andover.net, a Boston area technology news publisher, acquired ThinkGeek in October 1999. Only a few months later Andover.net was acquired by VA Linux, a California-based tech company that specialized in Linux hardware and software products. VA Linux, after several name changes, became Geeknet, the current parent company of ThinkGeek.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.geek.net/ )〕 In August 2000, the company moved its offices to Fairfax, Virginia where it has been based ever since. ThinkGeek grew steadily and increased the number of employees from six in 2004 up to 83 in 2013. Company revenues also increased during this time period, reaching $118.9 million in 2012.〔 ThinkGeek is currently ranked as one of the top online retailers, listing as #175 on the Internet Retailer Top 500 List.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://geek.net/releasedetail.cfm?releaseid=672131 )〕 The company made $50 million in sales in 2009.〔 ThinkGeek's mascot is a monkey named Timmy.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/5bb0/ )〕 On May 26, 2015, it was announced that pop culture-oriented retailer Hot Topic had made an offer to acquire Geeknet and ThinkGeek for $17.50 per-share, valuing the company at $122 million. However, on May 29, 2015, it was revealed that an unspecified company had made a counter-offer of $20 per-share; Hot Topic was given until June 1, 2015 to exceed this new offer. On June 2, 2015, it was announced that video game retail chain GameStop had acquired Geeknet for $140 million. The deal closed on July 17, 2015. On September 25, 2015, ThinkGeek opened its first retail store at Orlando's Florida Mall.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://fortune.com/2015/09/03/thinkgeek-physical-store/ )〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「ThinkGeek」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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