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Atlanta lost it's one tiny GW store a year or so ago. Since then there has been no GW store in town. PP is on a huge kick here, and I think GW is starting to take notice. I got the GW email today saying there would be interviews for managers in April here in Atlanta. I wonder if that means they'll be opening a shop back up?

God willing, it will actually be IN Atlanta this time, not in some God-forsaken area outside of the perimeter (my apologies to those in the Buford area).

Would be nice to have an official GW presence in the area again. I just hope it's bigger than the old one. There were what, two tables in the store? Even with that you could barely get around in there.

Well, two (maybe three?) gaming tables and a painting one. Then again it was a 'suite' in the Mall of Ga so I guess they did what they could with that space. I guess I'd give them a chance

/sarcasm but being the only one in the SE may draw unwarranted visitors. I'm looking at you Florida /sarcasm

MisterMoon wrote:Atlanta lost it's one tiny GW store a year or so ago. Since then there has been no GW store in town. PP is on a huge kick here, and I think GW is starting to take notice. I got the GW email today saying there would be interviews for managers in April here in Atlanta. I wonder if that means they'll be opening a shop back up?

I saw on the GW site they are looking for a manager in Orlando, FL too. Since there isnt currently a store there I can only assume they are opening one. I finally get to have the GW company store experience.

From what Ive read on here Im not planning on it being a good experience, but an experience none the less.


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mrwhoop wrote:Well, two (maybe three?) gaming tables and a painting one. Then again it was a 'suite' in the Mall of Ga so I guess they did what they could with that space. I guess I'd give them a chance

/sarcasm but being the only one in the SE may draw unwarranted visitors. I'm looking at you Florida /sarcasm

Ahem...^^^^

No hard feelings though...us FL folks hate the fact that we have to go through GA anytime we leave this state. Its not really any improvement on FL (the south in general sucks) and GA cops are...male reproductive organs...if you are from out of state.


EDIT: spelling n such

does Atlanta need a GW with all the good local independants around?

From what Ive read on here Im not planning on it being a good experience, but an experience none the less.

Don't go by what you read here, the haters are generally the only people who take time to post about the stores and they do so repeatedly and at every opportunity. These days most GW stores are clean, well-run, family friendly environments and you meet a lot of nice people. Though some of the haters and nuisances will show up too as they do in any gaming environment, you will likely enjoy the store and the hobby community growth it brings to your area. A big part of the store's atmosphere will depend on the operator they hire. A good operator will make a store awesome and fun. A bad operator hopefully won't last long. When they replaced the manager at our local Annapolis store a couple years ago with someone really fun and dedicated the community immediately began to grow.

Frankly, the Atlanta area has no need of a GW store at all. There are around a half dozen independent stores arranged around the majority of the city. I've only been to three of them, but each one of them is superior to any GW store that has been in Atlanta. In fact, a few years back when there were actually GW stores in Atlanta, one of the independents was the largest GW retailer in the Southeast. Ironic that an independent store was a larger GW retailer than the actual GW stores.

I'm honestly not trying to bad-mouth GW with these statements. My only point is that the independent stores here in the Atlanta area are strong enough and high enough quality that an actual GW store really has nothing positive to offer to the community. In fact, two of the independent stores are close enough to my home that the only way I would even feel a desire to go to a GW store would be if they opened up across the street from my apartment complex. Once again, I'm not bad-mouthing GW; the stores that are close to where I live are solid enough that I could not fathom a reason to drive farther to go to a GW store.

And the people for whom the GW store ends up being closer may likely have a different take on the situation. It might be wise to wait till the exact location is announced before deciding what effect the new store has on one's personal gaming needs. Forums.

Saldiven wrote:. In fact, a few years back when there were actually GW stores in Atlanta, one of the independents was the largest GW retailer in the Southeast. Ironic that an independent store was a larger GW retailer than the actual GW stores.

Provide a good play environment and maybe a little discount off of retail and thats about all it would take. That and the fact that you can bring/play/discuss other games in an independent seals the deal.

i think it has to do with simple convienence. people living in the perimeter might actually want to have a nearby store that they don't have to travel far to. honestly, i don't think you have too much to worry about. the independent stores (including the sarge's) in the burbs blow any normal GW store out of the water with wider stock variety (non-GW items), playspace, and service but sometimes people simply want to drive a short distance to pick up something they need at the moment. atlanta doesn't need restaurants in the city but it sure makes getting a quick bite more convienent.

BrassScorpion wrote:And the people for whom the GW store ends up being closer may likely have a different take on the situation. It might be wise to wait till the exact location is announced before deciding what effect the new store has on one's personal gaming needs. Forums.

That's really going to be the big determining factor. As I said, for myself, it would be pretty difficult for a GW store to really get my business because I have a couple of good stores that are already very close to me. Both of those stores provide things that no GW store can (multiple game systems and one actually serves food).

Now, there are parts of town where one might open that might be beneficial to the community at large, where no other really successful independent stores are. I dunno if there are any stores down in the McDonough area, but that's just another suburban area that is kind of out of the way. I can't envision many "inside the perimeter" locations that fit the mold of where GW likes to locate their stores that would be ideal. I doubt they'd ever be willing to pay the lease amount for Lennox Mall. Most of the other ITP malls are kind of sketchy. Heck, the majority of the ITP area is either sketchy or really expensive. Dekalb County might not be bad if they could entice Emory University students to actually leave campus to engage in a social life; they have money at least.

The more I think about it, the more curious I am about where they might decide to locate a store, assuming that's their plan.

Honestly I'd just like to have a GW around to be able to get in on some of the events they host. I really wanted to attend the big 'Nids v. everything else games that the GW stores were running when the new 'dex came out, but I think that happened just after the Mall of GA store shut down.

Location could be a big factor for a lot of people as well. Places like Tower and Giga-Bites are great stores, but I'm currently driving 30 min to get to Tower, twice that to hit Giga.

Interesting, I only got to go to the mall of GA store once right before it closed. I haven't actuly played in years and I'm just starting to get back in the hobby again, used to frequent Titans in college park but it's closed and hobbytown is not really close anymore, where are the best places in Atl now?

If I had to guess this will be one of those 9-5 Mon-Sat stores in a shopping center we have been hearing about with only one employee. Doubt there will be much of a "gaming experience" but lets see if they are actually changing their buisness structure. I agree with Seargant Horse that the indy stores in the area are great and will far exceed the abilities of any GW store in the area. However GW stores are great at getting people into the hobby but only if they have the hobby area available and are in an area of foot traffic.

Brass GW stores can be hit or miss too so your generalized arrogance is a little suprising. I am not a hater or a store owner but have seen the evolution of several GW stores from start to finish and can say that typically they hire great people but seem to do their best at hamstringing their own stores. Typically the indy stores have more to offer room and gaming supply wise.

Fishboy wrote:If I had to guess this will be one of those 9-5 Mon-Sat stores in a shopping center we have been hearing about with only one employee. Doubt there will be much of a "gaming experience" but lets see if they are actually changing their buisness structure. I agree with Seargant Horse that the indy stores in the area are great and will far exceed the abilities of any GW store in the area. However GW stores are great at getting people into the hobby but only if they have the hobby area available and are in an area of foot traffic.

Brass GW stores can be hit or miss too so your generalized arrogance is a little suprising. I am not a hater or a store owner but have seen the evolution of several GW stores from start to finish and can say that typically they hire great people but seem to do their best at hamstringing their own stores.

+1

They hamstring the stores in so many ways, such as bad locations, short hours (complete with breaks midday), lack of food, no advertising, no discounts, etc. I still do not understand why we cannot even order Forge World stuff from a GW store, as they stock Black Library stuff.

I hope that the location has enough traffic, as GW does not advertise, except for jobs. If they do not, they may find that the store cannot support itself.

"where are the best places in Atl now? "

Tough question. There are a LOT of places in Atlanta to play miniature wargames. Here are, in alphabetical order, the places I go to.

Gaming Pit, NE
Giga Bytes Cafe, NW
Phoenix Games, NE
Tower Games, NE
Tree Fort Games, S

All of these places are about a half hour from where 400 and 285 cross, assuming no traffic, except for Tree Fort, which is about an hour.

I myself go to Treefort once a week, its not a bad drive from where I live ether. But back to the topic of the actual store; We really need a new one down here, I wouldn't mind driving to Atlanta for it ether, as long as I don't have to drive all the way up to the Mall of Georgia.

Hm... my friend will sure be happy to hear that.

Don't get me wrong, I love some of the local independent stores around town, but living inside the perimeter, especially in the Decatur/Druid Hills area of town, makes getting to any of these stores a bit difficult. The ONLY way I'd be interested in a GW store opening in GA again would be if it were convenient, and I mean like 10 or so minutes from my house. Yes, we ITP people are spoiled by the convenience of having everything we need within 5 minutes of our homes and we are snobbish about ever having to leave the perimeter, but I don't think it's that much to ask to have at least ONE gaming store inside the perimeter.

I really only want the convenience so that I can score paint and other such small things quickly and easily, so if they put another one out in the Mall of Georgia area, or other such "boondock-ish" location, I'd just continue to go to Giga-Bytes and Tower for everything. If I'm going to buy a kit in a store, it's going to be from one of them anyway. And in the future, if I'm gaming in a store, it's going to be in Giga, more than likely. It's a great store with nice people -- something I've never really seen at a GW store, anywhere in the world (and I've been in GW stores in 7 countries).


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Now that I think about it, Atlantic Station would be a great location for the new store.
It's within walking distance of my job, so I could get a quick game in on my lunch break!

I thought that I would resurrect this thread to post info about the new GW store in Atlanta.

It will be located at 227 Sandy Springs Place, Atlanta, GA 30328. The store is scheduled to open on the 17th of September. I met the new manager last week and he seemed like a really good guy.

They need to get one of these down in Florida...not just IN Orlando.

spaceelf wrote:I thought that I would resurrect this thread to post info about the new GW store in Atlanta.

It will be located at 227 Sandy Springs Place, Atlanta, GA 30328. The store is scheduled to open on the 17th of September. I met the new manager last week and he seemed like a really good guy.

I met Ken, he's a really nice guy and think he will do well there. Should be good for getting more people into the hobby

This is really close to my work. It would make gaming feasable again to me considering my busy schedule.

Necroning this thread... but just in case yall missed it, figured this the best place to throw this on here, the Altanta store is opening up on saturday, October 1st.

I am looking forward to this only because I'll actually be able to set foot in a GW store. I just want to see if they are what people say they are.

What are the particulars? How big is it? Who is running it? What are some of the stores/restaurants around it?

Dunno anything besides what I have fond on the interwebs. If I can find the time, I guess I'll find out saturday.

I believe it to be in this shopping center.
http://www.citywalksandysprings.com/map.html

Per the GW site:

Store ManagerKenny MeadeTelephone
404-256-6390

Events:

Atlanta Hobby Center Opening Oct 1st
Sat, 01 Oct 2011

Games Day 2012
Sat, 28 Jul 2012 - Sat, 28 Jul 2012