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Don Creekmore
Hatteberg's People
Reporter: Larry Hatteberg
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Oct. 23, 2005-- Many may try, but few are able to retire from their encounter with a slot machine. But Wichitian Don Creekmore is hoping to change that. He founded a new Wichita Business and he’s gambling that his work with vintage slot machines will hit the jackpot. |
It is the lure of the money, the chance...the chance that millions are lurking behind the pull of a slot machine handle- for most, it is a way to pass the time - the 'millions' usually elude them --- but the machines themselves, are fascinating.
“It doesn’t seem like I’m working during the day.”
Wichitian Don Creekmore knows that more than most. In a Wichita warehouse he is surrounded by slots….old ones waiting to be repaired. |
“It seems like these old machines almost ‘exude’ history.”
He just started a new Internet business call Nation's Attic. He deals with vintage slot machines made prior to 1951. It's not legal in Kansas to own the later models.
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| “I enjoy making people happy when I can provide them with a machine that’s
brought back from the grave essentially. And when I can bring them back and be a functional…essentially a piece of artwork now…. that’s what I enjoy.” |
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Creekmore was repairing them part-time but this young entrepreneur decided that there was money to be made in a full-time business. So now, he is receiving machines from all over the U.S. waiting to be restored.
“And they always seem to be good and dirty just like this one.”
Don says he has researched slot machines that date back to the 1890's and the fun for him...is checking into the history of each machine.
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“I almost put myself back into the time of the machine….back to the fifties, the forties, I feel like I’m actually playing the machine and gambling with it. But it’s also a good feeling when it works too.”
Finding the machines is the hard part.... but once found....Creekmore says they can be sold....in a day.
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”Sometimes it is collectors who just want the machines to look better. But a lot of times its people who have a history with it.”
So at least for one Wichitian who is gambling on success with the one-armed bandits ---
He could be a winner.
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“I’m not a big gambler.”
“I’d rather gamble on buying or selling.”
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| You may contact or read more about Don Creekmore’s business at:
“Nationsattic.com” |
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