{{Short description|American toy car retailer}} {{multiple issues| {{notability|Companies|date=May 2018}} {{more citations needed|date=May 2018}} {{third-party|date=May 2018}} }} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}} {{Infobox company | name = RIDEMAKERZ | logo = 200px|Ridemakerz logo | type = | industry = Retail | founded = {{start date and age|2007|6|1}}<br />Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ridemakerz.com/rz/Pages/RiderzEd/HistoryOfCars.aspx |title=RIDEMAKERZĀ® - History of Cars |access-date=August 3, 2008 |archive-date=August 2, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080802013040/http://www.ridemakerz.com/RZ/Pages/RiderzEd/HistoryOfCars.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> | founders = Larry Andreini<br />Chip Foose<br />Maxine Clark | location = Irvine, California, United states | key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Larry Andreini|Chip Foose|Maxine Clark}} | products = Toy cars | revenue = | website = {{URL|ridemakerz.com}} }}
'''Ridemakerz''' (alternatively written "RIDEMAKERZ") is an American retailer of customizable toy cars. The business was started in 2007 by Larry Andreini, Chip Foose (of TLC Overhaulin'), and Maxine Clark (of Build-A-Bear Workshop).
== History == The first location opened June 1, 2007 in Myrtle Beach, SC at Broadway at the Beach.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ridemakerz.com/rz/Pages/RiderzEd/HistoryOfCars.aspx |title=Ridemakerz: History |website=www.ridemakerz.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070531205917/http://www.ridemakerz.com/RZ/Pages/RiderzEd/HistoryOfCars.aspx |archive-date=2007-05-31}}</ref> Since then, twelve locations had opened in ten other states.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}} In late 2009, Ridemakerz began closing most of its stores. By early 2022, Ridemakerz has opened a total of 5 stores, Myrtle Beach SC, Branson MO, Pigeon Forge TN, Mall of America MN, and Anaheim CA.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ridemakerz.com/locations |website=Ridemakerz |access-date=26 August 2023 |title=Locations}}</ref> The company holds licenses to make the Chevrolet Corvette, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Ram, Dodge Viper, Ford F-250 Super Chief, Ford Mustang,<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.motortrend.com/features/newswire/32961/index.html| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110522055942/http://www.motortrend.com/features/newswire/32961/index.html| archive-date = 2011-05-22| title = MINI USA and RIDEMAKERZ Team Up To Debut Smallest MINI Ever {{!}} Auto Newswire Article from Motor Trend}}</ref> and the Scion xB.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=123294 |title=Scion Hooks up with Ridemakerz on Pint-Size XBS |access-date=August 3, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080205232111/http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=123294 |archive-date=February 5, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
==Company information== Ridemakerz is a limited liability company. It was founded in 2007 in St. Louis, Missouri and moved to Rancho Santa Margarita, California in 2009. There are currently 8 locations. The main financier is investor Norman Pozez. Build-A-Bear owns about 25% of the company. In 2010, it opened a warehouse and distribution center in Valencia, California (using the same system as Build-A-Bear) and moving its headquarters to Irvine, California. There are approximately 250 employees nationwide and 16 employees at its headquarters.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Cruz|first=Sherri|title=Custom Toy Car Store Pulls in Big Backers|journal=Orange County Business Journal|date=July 5, 2010|volume=33|issue=37|pages=1, 8|url=https://www.ocbj.com/news/2010/jul/04/custom-toy-car-store-pulls-big-backers/}}</ref> In 2018, 2 new stores were opened. [[File:Ridemakerz store in Mall of America, MN.webp|thumb|180x180px|ridemakerz location in Mall of America, MNthumb|The guys customize their own car]]
== Special edition == The company holds licenses to make the character of disney cars and cars 2 included Lighting Mcqueen, Mater, Sally, Franscesco Bernoulli, Finn Mcmissile, etc.
== References == {{Reflist}}
Category:Retail companies of the United States Category:Toy companies of the United States Category:Retail companies established in 2007 Category:Companies based in St. Louis Category:American companies established in 2007