Leveling up: New coffee shop has video-gaming dreams

A local business has put a new spin on its old operation. After seven years at its downtown Palmer location, Rent-A-Geek has relocated to the corner lot across Hemmer Road from Palmer High School and added a café, Reboot Sips and Snacks.

The double business has been a dream of sorts for years for Jamie and Carol Hushower of Palmer. Jamie, whom his wife calls “the head geek,” opened Rent-A-Geek at their former Arctic Avenue location in 2015.

The café remained a dream until the Bogard Road-fronting lot came available along with the log building that formerly housed the Mat-Su Convention and Visitors Bureau, when it was headquartered by the hospital.

Jamie has been operating Rent-A-Geek at the new location since Jan. 1. The couple launched Reboot on Sept. 25, although its official grand opening is Saturday, from 10-4. The community is welcome to stop by to say hi and sample Reboot’s coffee, smoothies, and Lotus drinks.

“We’re also giving away gift cards,” Carol said. “We’re fun, and we’re nice. We hope to see everyone Saturday.”

She said showcasing local products is a priority for the Hushowers. To that end, Reboot features Caffé D’arte coffee, Big Dipper ice cream, and North Star Bakery treats.

“I’m always going to be looking for new local things to promote,” Carol said.

The addition of a café to Rent-A-Geek might be a big enough dream for most small businesspeople. But the Hushowers are not done yet. With a 5-acre lot and plenty of room to build, the next plan is to open a competitive video gaming facility on the property to tap into the growing interest in the activity.

“We want to bring e-sports to the Valley,” Carol said. “We bought the land with all of this in mind. Our goal is to open an e-sports arena.”

Not just a whim, video gaming has been a family activity for the Hushowers since their two sons, Tobin and Jesse, were children. As high-schoolers, the two were among the first to join the new e-sports club at PHS.

“The family grew up playing together,” Carol said. “I married a geek. If e-sports had been a thing when Jamie was young, he would’ve done it, too!”

Both sons are currently on e-sports scholarships at college, although the Hushowers hope they return to be involved in the new enterprise.

“We want this to be a family business,” Carol said.

In the meantime, Reboot’s location adjacent to PHS means a ready clientele for the café, which is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Free Wi-Fi and plenty of charging stations make the location a natural for before- and after-school congregating.

“We want the kids to come over and hang out. Clubs are welcome, too,” said Carol, herself a 1986 PHS grad. “I really want it to be open for kids to do homework.”

So far, so good, for the Hushowers and their new location with two businesses.

“It’s gone well. I have a fantastic group of young people working for me,” Carol said. “We’re already developing a reputation for being a good place hang out or work.”