What do you look for in a Gaming Store?

[2WS-Steve]

Glad to hear the news about the expansion Rob; I just stopped by the store this afternoon, noticed the empty shops next door, and thought that it would be nice if you got that extra floor space.

Any news on when to expect the super-sized version in West Windsor?

 

[Mal Malenkirk]

I want them to remember my name, darn it! It's a specialty niche and I can't believe it's hard to recognize people who pop in every wednesday to look at the new roleplaying products AND the last comic books AND occasionally rent mangas. There's not that many of us...

And as a matter of fact, my current gaming store owner is just shy of being invited to the bar while the old place... well it's the old place now.

And I also like that the owner keep a stock of hard core porn mangas that you can't find anywhere else in the area. And most importantly, that he has advised certain holier than thou employee to shut the hell up about it. I mean, sheesh, if I'm renting Cool Device, it's obvious that my only interest in Sodome and Gomorea is whether or not they would make cool mangas!

 

[Jasperak]

I have traveled quite a bit and have seen gaming stores in Alaska; Metro DC area; Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, and the Scranton-Wilkes-barre in Pennsylvania. Often when I travel I seek out new gaming stores for one thing and one thing alone.... Older books and Dragon and Dungeon magazines. If a gaming store does not have any I rarely return, especially the older magazines.

The other thing I look for is if the staff can direct me to any groups that might be looking for players. When I moved to DC the owner of Burke Center Comics in Burke, VA invited me to join the group he plays with. Best move in the world from a business stand point. Because of that I found another group with one of those players and actually had to give up one of the games because I was too busy. Going the extra mile for your customers is by far the best move you can make.

 

[Gamersrealm]

Glad to hear the news about the expansion Rob; I just stopped by the store this afternoon, noticed the empty shops next door, and thought that it would be nice if you got that extra floor space.

Any news on when to expect the super-sized version in West Windsor?

We are still heavily in debt from opening store two. Unfortunately, there were many circumstances that came together shortly after opening it that have caused it to do nowheres near as well as we need or like. If you recall, I got very sick immediately after opening, and wass out for some 3 months, Pokemon died a horrible death in Xmas of 2000, the recession hit, and then 9/11 was the nail in the economy. However, as we have three more years on the lease, we are going to make the most of it, and give that store the fair shake that I feel it never truly got. Your going to see more events, a TV ad campaign, and in general a better effort to make it successful.

As for expanding West Windsor, we should be debt-free by the end of 2003, and then plan to use 2004 to put money back in the bank. Sometime in 2005, we will either open a third store somewhere else in NJ, or else expand the West Windsor store to include other games, and perhaps even get into models, trains, rocketry, etc.

 

[Bagpuss]

Going on a run past my local gaming stores recently inspired this thread.

You see there's the difference you went on a run past your local gaming stores.

The Local and Stores (plural) is what I would like.

Currently I have a local bookshop (20 mins away, easy parking) which does a VERY, VERY limited on the shelf selection, grouped in a weird fashion so although D&D is near the fantasy section, the Star Wars RPG is over the other side of the shop next to the Sci-Fi section and the Buffy RPG is in the horror section with the Buffy stuff. They have a wider range of 'boxed' Games Workshop stuff. So I rarely buy from there.

I also have in Liverpool (40 mins drive, expensive parking and £2.40 in tunnel tolls) a comic shop (Forbidden Planet) that has a wider selection, crammed side on (so hard to browse) in one area of the shop. It is only ever checked if the the following shop doesn't have stuff in.

Impact Games, which is basically mecca for gamers in Liverpool region. Changed hands about a year ago and the old owner took all the old stock with him so it doesn't really have anything that old in. But the owner knows his stuff presents it reasonably well. Willing to get anything you ask for and knows the sort of games I like.

So really I have a choice of one. Luckly I've happy with it.

 

[jezter6]

Jasperak,

I'm also from the wilkes-barre area, and if you've seen some of my posts...looking to open a game shop in Wilkes-Barre. I'd like to hear about your experiences in the area so that I can be better than those!

Feel free to send me an email: outlaw@nepa-tech.com if you don't think the boards are appropriate for this discussion.


Thanks a million.

-jezter6

 

[Arnwyn]

Important to me:

1) Selection. Obviously, if they don't have it on a regular basis, I won't go back.

2) New stuff in fast. 3 game stores are in my city, and they're all competing for my gaming dollars. They're all generally the same, except for a few issues. This is one of them. Whoever gets the new stuff in first, wins.

3) Location. Of the 3 game stores, one is on my drive home from work. One is 5 minutes (non-rush-hour) from my office, but in the opposite direction. The last is on the other side of the city. I will generally avoid the one on the other side of the city, but will go there if they get the books in first (they also have a 10% discount, but that doesn't make much of a difference because of the store's location).

4) Staff Competence. They don't need to be terribly friendly, just "nice enough" and competent. Know what the heck is coming out for both D&D and d20 at the very least. They don't even need to know my name (however, the franchise manager of the EB nearest to me - in a major city mall, no less - somehow knows my name. I think that says a little too much of my buying habits...). :/

 

[alsih2o]

Sad but true, my first criteria is that I don't get treated like an interloper.

So I guess that as time goes by, ENWorld is becoming my local gaming store. I've always gotten prompt service, and I really like it that it helps support this site.

seconded!

 

[tmaaas]

I used to make a point of supporting my local gaming store even if I could get a product cheaper online.

But I became tired of the language and conversational topics of the store's owner and regular patrons. I'll still go there if I want something 'now,' but I don't make a point of directing my business there.

Intead, I usually use online options, including the ENWorld shop.

 

[Mystic Eye]

We here is Austin Texas a pretty lucky. While there may not be a mass of game stores available the BIG game store (or pair of stores rather) are great. They are Dragon's Lair, north and south.

The owners and staff are both friendly and knowledgable.

The inventory is current and plentiful.

They have a wide selection with every thing from comics to RPGs to minis and videos.

They have open games going often.

I really could not ask for more out of a game store.