What is YOUR ideal gaming store/space?

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.trading-cards.magic.strategy (More info?)

So the time is almost at hand for me to sell my current business and
move along to other things.

I have been thinking about opening up a games only store, basically
carrying GW, Wizards, Wizkids & other Role Playing gear. Little or no
comics (maybe some trade paperbacks)

To be honest it isn't going to be about making tons of money as I will
have a reasonable size chunk of change from the sale of my business as
well as funds that I have saved up.

What I am really more interested in doing is making at least half the
store gaming area, some small comfortable nooks regular customers to sit
down and roleplay with some friends and a bunch of tables for tabletop
games. Of course there will be tournaments and regular gaming nights but
I would like to have at least 6 tables set up so you would be able to
come and play your own games with a couple of friends or strangers if
you like.

I want to build a community around the whole thing, have a place for
people from 12 to 60 to get together and play and talk and enjoy themselves.

SO.... my question to all of you is:

What would YOU want to see in a space like this. What is YOUR ideal
gaming space?

Later
d

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.trading-cards.magic.strategy (More info?)

> What would YOU want to see in a space like this. What is YOUR ideal
> gaming space?

First, I want the store to be presentable. A clean space with good
lighting is a place that I'm not embarassed to go with my wife.
Friendly service goes a long way to make people feel welcome. Gamer
hours are a must, especially if you want people to spend time there.

Second, I want the store to be profitable. Not rob-your-customers-blind
profitable, but the kind of place that will be around for a while.
Ideally the profit could come from concessions, tournament fees, and
sales.

Third, I will go to a place that brings me in. Tournaments, drafts, and
sales will bring me in the door. Leagues will keep me coming around.
Miniature painting classes might spur me to buy more miniatures.

Fourth, I want a place that has the kind of merchandise that I'm
looking for. Good prices on boxes, singles, and RPG books will bring me
back. I'd also buy alternative board games like Blockus, * of Catan,
Carcassone, and their ilk.
That's the $.02 from off the top of my head.

mypetrock

 

[hawkwind]

Archived from groups: rec.games.trading-cards.magic.strategy (More info?)

mypetrock@yahoo.com wrote:
> > What would YOU want to see in a space like this. What is YOUR ideal
> > gaming space?
>
> First, I want the store to be presentable. A clean space with good
> lighting is a place that I'm not embarassed to go with my wife.
> Friendly service goes a long way to make people feel welcome. Gamer
> hours are a must, especially if you want people to spend time there.
>
> Second, I want the store to be profitable. Not
rob-your-customers-blind
> profitable, but the kind of place that will be around for a while.
> Ideally the profit could come from concessions, tournament fees, and
> sales.
>
> Third, I will go to a place that brings me in. Tournaments, drafts,
and
> sales will bring me in the door. Leagues will keep me coming around.
> Miniature painting classes might spur me to buy more miniatures.
>
> Fourth, I want a place that has the kind of merchandise that I'm
> looking for. Good prices on boxes, singles, and RPG books will bring
me
> back. I'd also buy alternative board games like Blockus, * of Catan,
> Carcassone, and their ilk.
> That's the $.02 from off the top of my head.
>
> mypetrock

Oddly enough, this almost describes my usual gaming store to a "T". If
you ever are in Waco, TX, then I highly suggest stopping by the Game
Closet.

The store is laid out very well. When you walk in, there is a large
open room. To the left are minitures and minitures supplies (paint,
brushes, etc.) There are also several shelves with books about various
games. Behind that is a little nook were the store's board games are
kept, and the owner encourages people to play. Over to the right,
there is gaming supplies (board games, poker games, dice, etc) along
with some anime stuff, a couple of shelves with RPG books, and a shelf
of reading books. There's also a nook for miniture gamers and a coke
machine in the corner. In the middle is a huge counter, with card
singles (including Magic, Pokeman, VS system, Yu-Gi-Oh, etc.) Behind
the main room, off to the left, is a open room with about 20 tables,
where the card players go, and then behind and to the right, there are
about 5 small rooms where the RPGers and board gamers play.

The owners and employees are great. They're friendly, knowledgeable,
and they actually take suggestions very seriously. The store is
nominally open to 7:00 during the week (M-Th), with longer hours on the
weekend, but they'll stay longer if people are playing. And they're
serious on keeping a well-maintained store. Not only the physical
space, but the atmosphere. They'll let a lot of silliness pass
(especially if they know you and it's a slow night) but they have no
qualms about kicking people out who are being obnoxious or disrupting.

The store runs stuff all the time. Drafts, tournaments, leagues, and
random events occur all the time. In addition, if a group of 8+ people
show up and want to do something, the owner will sanction the
tournament on the spot.

The service is impeccable, and their supply is varied. CCGs, RPGs,
board games, anime, minitures, books, and other stuff. And they try to
be accomidating if you want something off-the-wall.
It's one hell of a store.

Scott