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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Prince of Happiness" data-source="post: 2394316" data-attributes="member: 19819">Sometimes I wonder if Seattle does indeed exist in another universe. It's funny, because Seattle is a retail environment that has been quite conducive to the small mom/pop type shop, if they do offer excellent service and niche product...and not only that, thrive and expand (this is especially true in the independent music stores in the area) to become small chains in their own right. Yeah, we have a Starbucks on every block (sometimes two or three downtown), but we also have a butt-load of smaller places. We have Barnes & Noble and Borders and other "big box" stores, but there's still the small shops around as well. I don't mind that it works out that way, and I'm really fine with it. It's like the 3E mantra "options, not restrictions."While I haven't found a gaming store that's been anywhere near the pristine, holy experience that other posters have written about. To that end I've ended up becoming rather pragmatic about where I spend my gaming dollars if one place has a book I happen to be at, fine I'll get it there. If it's cheaper online and I can wait, I'll order it online. If I need some type of accessory (or a "German" boardgame) I usually hit up Gary's Games because they carry that kind of stuff and have a pretty good used section. On the other hand, it reeks to the Heavens and the Hells.Again, if there is that good combination of knowledge, know-how, selection, infrastructure (game rooms, parking), hygiene and location it would do alright. Hell, with "industry names" in the area you could even have pretty regular events ("Hey kids! Get your Monster Manual signed by such-and-such!" or "See art from such-and-such artist/illustrator and buy prints or originals!" or "Whine to Erik Mona about why stat block on p.xx in Dungeon 120 is wrong! Today! In-store!" "Orc and Pie Night!")*. Why a gaming store in this area hasn't quite grasped that yet, I dunno.Soooooo nope, no dedicated, hard-core loyalty from me. Haven't had the incentive to do so.*Again with the local indie record shops: Recording artists do free in-store shows All. The. F'n. Time.</blockquote>

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