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Message: <blockquote data-quote="bySwarm" data-source="post: 5094416" data-attributes="member: 87210">Three types of successful FLGSI think there are three types of FLGS that are successful:1) Focus on collectible card gamesThese stores sell the equivalent of gamer-cigarettes in that their customers keep coming back to buy more of their product. They also often host events and competitive environments that people enjoy.2) Focus on miniatures gamesNot everyone has a good 4' x 4' game table to play their favorite miniatures game at home. There is the competitive angle that leagues and tournaments offer as well. An FLGS that sells these products as well as has space for people to play them can be successful.Both of these though can lose by the online competition. A typical FLGS is not able to compete on the pricing you get for CCGs and miniatures games online. That's where the third thing comes in:3) CommunityThere is a FLGS where I live that has done a great job at building a community. People buy their products there because they want a local game store to be successful since it gives them a place to play and find other gamers. It also gives them a place to feel a part of the community. In our FLGS, it is hard to get space for an RPG now as there are games occupying most of the tables almost every night and weekend. At our local game con a few weeks ago, other vendors were commenting to the FLGS owner (who also had a booth) that they had noticed the community. At any given time in the main gaming hall, there were more than a dozen people wearing the t-shirt of the FLGS.I'm not completely sure what the magic formula is for building that community, but I do think that building a community offers a FLGS a way to be successful.</blockquote>

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