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My name is Mike and I live in the Tannersville area of PA in the Poconos. I have been on these boards off and on for a few years now and have found that since I came up to PA there are not that many shops around my area. There are a couple down South about 45 min away and they are both nice shops, but not quite around the corner, so I find it's been pretty tough to get down there to play. I have been into RPGs for about 30 years and into Warhammer Fantasy since second or third edition. I remember Rogue Trader and all but actually have only been actively (some would say rabidly) into 40k for about 12 years.

More and more as of late I have had the idea of starting up a hobby shop with a friend of mine. I've been researching it for years and have owned other businesses before (a bar and a small retail store) so I have a decent head for business as well as a love of the hobby. I have interviewed and met with several owners and discussed the good and the bad. I mostly asked questions relating to the bad since I know it is a difficult business.

Anyway, without droning on too long, I have been considering opening a shop in the Poconos around Tannersville/Bartonsville/Stroudsburg. I have some idea what spots I think would be good, but this is sort of some additional market research. Any replies to the following are most appreciated!

1) How many of you live in that area?
2) How healthy is the gaming community to the best of your knowledge? (not just Warhammer, but RPG, CCG etc)
3) The target demographics seem to really fit the bill, I have the hobby knowledge and the business knowledge, but I welcome any opinions about this area for such a shop.

The idea is to set up on a few major cornerstones being Tabletop/Wargaming, RPGs, CCGs/CMGs and Hobby supplies (glue, dice, terrain, flocking etc). I absolutely will only start a place if there is dedicated gaming space for folks to play and my buddy and I have a lot of ideas for promotions and tournaments and such. We really want to build up a great shop here in the Poconos.

I'd also welcome any product ideas. I obviously have my own, but there are always games out there that I may not know much about!

Thanks in advance for your time.

Hello and welcome.

Hi,

Welcome to Dakka

Thanks much guys!