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GW Franklin Mills, PA is closing in a month. This was the only one in the state. It was supposed to 'move' to West Chester, PA, but those plans got scrapped and now it's just closing. :(

The trend I see... Where property and taxes are high GW's close, conversely, locations where property is dirt cheap and taxes are low new GW stores open. Hence all of the openings in TX.

*shrug*

I used to spend a fair amount of time at GW Glendale maybe 4-5 years ago. So be it. Hopefully it will mean a few more customers for Game Empire Pasadena. They're running a much better operation than GW Glendale did or GW Arcadia does. All I can hold against them is that they don't accept American Express.

Just FYI, I stopped by the GW Glendale yesterday, and their last day is Octobber 31st.

As another FYI there is a new store opening in Valley Village sometime in October as well. I believe this will be in a non mall location. Seems most of the LA stores in malls will be closing and relocating just like the Ontario store did. Rents are exorbitant in LA.

Damn. I had just gotten into 40k again after not playing since 3rd edition back in middle school and was hoping to sneak a few games in at this store in between classes at GCC. Wonder if I should try and start up a club over at GCC. It would be my first time doing anything like that, but it would be a learning experience at least.

Also, does anyone know of any Hobby Shops nearby besides that Pasadena one?(Game Empire)

Game Empire, I think...

On a lighter note, I live in Edmonton, Alberta. Over here, the GW stores are actually doing quite well. Both stores have consistently met all their sales targets for the year each month. They are talking about opening 1-2 more stores with one opening within the next year.

I think it also has to do with independant stores in our area having a bad reputation, and them running lots of good events out of the GW stores.

I guess we'll wait and see, but it is a bit of a feel good moment considering the state of GW Canada currently. With staff working this hard, I am happy to pay the extra 10% (full price) on product to support them.

Wait--there's perhaps a 2% chance some additional good might come of this store closure:

Has there been any rumor or advertisement of a closing/liquidation sale?

oni wrote:GW Franklin Mills, PA is closing in a month. This was the only one in the state. It was supposed to 'move' to West Chester, PA, but those plans got scrapped and now it's just closing. :(

The trend I see... Where property and taxes are high GW's close, conversely, locations where property is dirt cheap and taxes are low new GW stores open. Hence all of the openings in TX.

Franklin Mills never was a good location for them. I mean, yeah, technically there are loads of prospective customers in a 25 mile radius. The problem is that they were in a mall full of discount and outlet stores. Being next to a video game store was good for them within the mall, but the mall itself doesn't attract the walkbys from wealthy suburban kids that GW's really after.

Something in Chester or Montgomery County would make MUCH more sense. It's hard to believe GW's placed umpteen stores in some metro areas and have pretty much ignored two of the larger suburban counties on the east coast.

Not that I really care. I rarely play in a store, and FLGSs will get my impulse business anyway. And frankly, I'd rather have GW shutter their unprofitable stores if that helps keep the company viable. But I do recognize that store closings will impact their regulars, and that's a shame to see other hobbyists affected that way.

I willing to be there will be like 5-8 stores opening in Texas in the next 2-3 months...

gorgon wrote:

oni wrote:GW Franklin Mills, PA is closing in a month. This was the only one in the state. It was supposed to 'move' to West Chester, PA, but those plans got scrapped and now it's just closing. :(

The trend I see... Where property and taxes are high GW's close, conversely, locations where property is dirt cheap and taxes are low new GW stores open. Hence all of the openings in TX.

Franklin Mills never was a good location for them. I mean, yeah, technically there are loads of prospective customers in a 25 mile radius. The problem is that they were in a mall full of discount and outlet stores. Being next to a video game store was good for them within the mall, but the mall itself doesn't attract the walkbys from wealthy suburban kids that GW's really after.

Something in Chester or Montgomery County would make MUCH more sense. It's hard to believe GW's placed umpteen stores in some metro areas and have pretty much ignored two of the larger suburban counties on the east coast.

Not that I really care. I rarely play in a store, and FLGSs will get my impulse business anyway. And frankly, I'd rather have GW shutter their unprofitable stores if that helps keep the company viable. But I do recognize that store closings will impact their regulars, and that's a shame to see other hobbyists affected that way.

I agree 100% about the Franklin Mills location. It still sucks that they're scrapping the idea of the store in West Chester.

They had a tendency a few years ago to open where they could get cheap rent not where it would have been smartest. They are still doing it it's just that now it looks like they are doing it strip sites instead of mall stores.

HiddenPower wrote:we still have the option to go to the local hobby stores, however, i feel uncomfortable there. im 23 and going into a store that looks like a serial killers/child molesters garage makes even myself feel nervous.

You don't like Last Grenadier Burbank? That place isn't bad, but it's been a while since I've been there.

And there's always War House in Long Beach, with all the atmosphere of an adult video shop... (I have no idea how they managed this)

oni wrote:

gorgon wrote:

oni wrote:GW Franklin Mills, PA is closing in a month. This was the only one in the state. It was supposed to 'move' to West Chester, PA, but those plans got scrapped and now it's just closing. :(

The trend I see... Where property and taxes are high GW's close, conversely, locations where property is dirt cheap and taxes are low new GW stores open. Hence all of the openings in TX.

Franklin Mills never was a good location for them. I mean, yeah, technically there are loads of prospective customers in a 25 mile radius. The problem is that they were in a mall full of discount and outlet stores. Being next to a video game store was good for them within the mall, but the mall itself doesn't attract the walkbys from wealthy suburban kids that GW's really after.

Something in Chester or Montgomery County would make MUCH more sense. It's hard to believe GW's placed umpteen stores in some metro areas and have pretty much ignored two of the larger suburban counties on the east coast.

Not that I really care. I rarely play in a store, and FLGSs will get my impulse business anyway. And frankly, I'd rather have GW shutter their unprofitable stores if that helps keep the company viable. But I do recognize that store closings will impact their regulars, and that's a shame to see other hobbyists affected that way.

I agree 100% about the Franklin Mills location. It still sucks that they're scrapping the idea of the store in West Chester.

Not really. I'm quite happy not to have the only GW store in Philly move 15 miles across town into the area where I've had two partnership level indendent stores selling GW for the last 20 years.

It was too small of a store (only 10' wide) that wouldn't have had much at all in the way of gaming space. GW has plans for several stores in Philly, and there are several places where they would do well, and be a boost to gaming in that area.

If profit is apparently so bad in LA area you think they might close the bunker down ??? O_o thats where I go to play... oh noes

Why is their so much hate for Texas? Not my fault all the GW over here are over-crowded. Last saturday for example their must have been 30+ people in about 40' by 20' store..

Has there been any rumor or advertisement of a closing/liquidation sale?

GW used to sometimes liquidate merchandise at a store closing back in 2003 and before when they also had regular sales throughout the chain once or twice a year. I was at the week-long close-out sale at the Waldorf, MD store when that closed a few years ago.

However, since that time, sales of any kind are extremely rare and usually only involve select merchandise for a limited time restricted to limited locations. The only sales I've seen in about 6 years were on some old blisters in one store only about a year ago and the mark-downs at Games Day 2008 on selected items.

In other words, it is not impossible, but highly unlikely at this time given their current "no discount sales" retail strategy.

Actually BrassScorpion, They JUST opened a new GW store in LA area and for like the saturday/sunday it opened i believe it was 20% off... I was shocked, however there a random hobby store that was like 10 minutes away thats always 20% off so it was rather pointless... Still surprising though eh?

They always have sales during the store openings and sales during anniversary's

Ah, I just figured, Gamesworkshop, overpriced, wait prices are lower? NO WAI

In the Houston, Texas area we have 3 new stores opening this year. One store is closing within a month and the battle bunker closed about 3 years ago. But during that time one store opened. So, in effect, Houston gained 2 stores.

Unfortunately, all the GW stores are located on the west side of town. For those who are not familiar with Houston it is a big city. The closest GW store for me is about 35 miles away and I do not live across the city.

I'm glad Houston now has 5 GW stores. The rumor mill here suggested that a couple more are coming to the east side of town.

WHILE ANOTHER 7 OPEN JUST IN ONE STATE! WOOHOO.

They always have sales during the store openings and sales during anniversary's

During the past year GW has started to have 10% coupons in White Dwarf for store grand openings, other than that there are still no discounts.

In the multiple GW stores I frequent, and we have many stores in Maryland, including the HQ store, I've been to several anniversary "store birthday" events. There is special merchandise at those events that is only available at those events, but there are no sales (i.e., no discounts) on merchandise.

Funny there are no GW stores in FL.

mikhaila wrote:

oni wrote:

gorgon wrote:

oni wrote:GW Franklin Mills, PA is closing in a month. This was the only one in the state. It was supposed to 'move' to West Chester, PA, but those plans got scrapped and now it's just closing. :(

The trend I see... Where property and taxes are high GW's close, conversely, locations where property is dirt cheap and taxes are low new GW stores open. Hence all of the openings in TX.

Franklin Mills never was a good location for them. I mean, yeah, technically there are loads of prospective customers in a 25 mile radius. The problem is that they were in a mall full of discount and outlet stores. Being next to a video game store was good for them within the mall, but the mall itself doesn't attract the walkbys from wealthy suburban kids that GW's really after.

Something in Chester or Montgomery County would make MUCH more sense. It's hard to believe GW's placed umpteen stores in some metro areas and have pretty much ignored two of the larger suburban counties on the east coast.

Not that I really care. I rarely play in a store, and FLGSs will get my impulse business anyway. And frankly, I'd rather have GW shutter their unprofitable stores if that helps keep the company viable. But I do recognize that store closings will impact their regulars, and that's a shame to see other hobbyists affected that way.

I agree 100% about the Franklin Mills location. It still sucks that they're scrapping the idea of the store in West Chester.

Not really. I'm quite happy not to have the only GW store in Philly move 15 miles across town into the area where I've had two partnership level indendent stores selling GW for the last 20 years.

It was too small of a store (only 10' wide) that wouldn't have had much at all in the way of gaming space. GW has plans for several stores in Philly, and there are several places where they would do well, and be a boost to gaming in that area.

Tell them to open one in Quakertown so I don't have to open my own LGS. There's a few LGS around the Lehigh Valley, but none of them have that 'WOW' factor that makes you say, "This is where I want to game." This area is ripe for the picking.

I have some emotional ties to the Glendale store, I bought my first case there (they gave me a land raider poster from the wall to help me entice my dad into getting it for me), and was first really introduced to the game there many many years ago. May have to make a pilgrimage there before it closes.

Just north of Brisbane they opened another store a few months ago... making it 5 including a battle bunker plust a dozen or so independents serving about 1.8 million people in Brisbane and Sunshine Coast, not including the Gold Coast and its half million, as it has no stores.

oni wrote:
Tell them to open one in Quakertown so I don't have to open my own LGS. There's a few LGS around the Lehigh Valley, but none of them have that 'WOW' factor that makes you say, "This is where I want to game." This area is ripe for the picking.

One of the possible spots is on the top of the city, up towards you. I've been pushing for that one. I agree that the area up there could use some support. Lots of gamers in Allentown, and between the two cities.

Honestly I think GW should evaluate the largest areas with customer bases that actually buy and play (I mean, hobby shops order from em...) and open stores based on those observations. I'm somewhat glad texas is getting some as theres no GW's in any of the states surrounding New Mexico as it is.

Myself, personally, play at a hobby gaming store and I love the atmosphere. Its where I got into warhammer (and quit MTG lol) and where my play group always shows up. Yeah, I agree, there are some very creepy people at any hobby game shop, but most of them are D&D dungeoneers who live with their moms still and they're 40.

I think GW, instead of trying to compete completely with the Hobby shops (which I think, consequently, draw in more players than GW's probably do) should organize with them. Honestly I'd still buy at my local hobby shops over a GW anyday as they offer discounts, incentives, and I always play there as it is so its convenient. Plus they'll order whatever I want ANYWAY. I think GW just needs to take a note from successful hobby shops and follow their lead. Sure, they specialize in a few types of war gaming, but follow the same mold and it will lead to success. They mark up kits like 50-75% somewhere in that area, if they lose only 10% from specials or whatever its not going to hurt their bottom line THAT much, more people will buy, and more will play.

The hardest part of warhammer is getting started. Its expensive to start, but in the long run, it gets much cheaper than other hobby games (like Magic)

On the topic of starting up a club after store closure, that's exactly what group did in Western MD/Southern PA 8 years ago. I think it's a much better option than being linked to a store, since it often means that you're getting in better quality games against people you know better.

Our primary problem has been finding space (we've been in 4 different places now), but we've always been able to come through with something after a bit of looking. The amount of space that's not being used and is technically unusable is tremendous. You can often do some "under the table" work to get space in the $50-100 a month region fairly easily if you have a little bit of networking on your side. We end up storing our stuff (terrain and some models) in the clubhouse, and we haven't had any problems yet.