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Let's say hypothetically, I had the funds to open my own gaming store. I'm obviously passionate about this "hobby" and have already dedicated a lot of time with this game. However, apart from a basic business model, a mediocre understanding of economics, and one chance of getting it right, how would I make a hobby store a successful and worthwhile endeavor where I can play games with my customers?

First off..... give up the idea of being able to play... lol

From how you've approached it so far I'd say 'you shouldn't.'

Challenge the current manager of your FLGS to a ritual duel. Winner gets the store, the loser dies.

gregor_xenos wrote:First off..... give up the idea of being able to play... lol

This, +1.

Seriously, though, if you don't already own a storefront, you're going to have to get some venture capital. This means basically going from financial institution to financial institution with your business model and begging them for money. It's a lot of work, and it takes a great deal of testiticular fortitude to deal with the inevitable rejection you will experience during this process. My suggestion is to talk to some local small businesses, get a feel for the local laws and business regulations. It's a lot of work my friend, and unless you are seriously passionate about your business, it's not very rewarding for the amount of work you're going to have to put in.

This is the wrong place to ask. Members here are informed on the game, hobby crafts, and the lore. None of these things are relevant to opening and operating a game store perhaps for good customer service (by which point it's already done).

Get a financial adviser, get a business adviser, get a lawyer. Talk about acquiring a small business orientated towards gaming with them, try to find a property up for lease, and go from there.

As for acquiring GW products, it should be fairly simple as contacting Gamesworkshop and arranging a business agreement. You should look at Warmachine, Flames of War, other big names in miniature war gaming. I've also seen many gaming stores also sell comics.

I understand it would be difficult, but I'm not planning on making eight digits either. I have a few ideas/tricks on how to increase cash flow and create a strong community. I've been in a few stores and one of the reasons I've stayed with this hobby is the stores in which the owner isn't just a businessman but also an avid gamer. Those are the stores that stay afloat because they provide a strong base of support for the community that is Warhammer and Warhammer 40k.


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Harriticus wrote:This is the wrong place to ask. Members here are informed on the game, hobby crafts, and the lore. None of these things are relevant to opening and operating a game store perhaps for good customer service (by which point it's already done).

Get a financial adviser, get a business adviser, get a lawyer. Talk about acquiring a small business orientated towards gaming with them, try to find a property up for lease, and go from there.

As for acquiring GW products, it should be fairly simple as contacting Gamesworkshop and arranging a business agreement. You should look at Warmachine, Flames of War, other big names in miniature war gaming. I've also seen many gaming stores also sell comics.

You and Spectreoneone are the advice I was looking for. Thank you.

Coolyo294 wrote:Challenge the current manager of your FLGS to a ritual duel. Winner gets the store, the loser dies.

Probably one of your best one-liners yet, Coolyo.

On a serious note, there is a member on Dakka (his name escapes me unfortunately) who runs a rather successful game store. He's commented on numerous threads like this providing a realistic overview of your life while trying to start a store.

*EDIT* His name is Mikhaila. Give him a PM if you're serious or at least seriously contemplating it. His knowledge is second to none on the matter.

DemetriDominov wrote:I understand it would be difficult, but I'm not planning on making eight digits either. I have a few ideas/tricks on how to increase cash flow and create a strong community. I've been in a few stores and one of the reasons I've stayed with this hobby is the stores in which the owner isn't just a businessman but also an avid gamer. Those are the stores that stay afloat because they provide a strong base of support for the community that is Warhammer and Warhammer 40k.


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Harriticus wrote:This is the wrong place to ask. Members here are informed on the game, hobby crafts, and the lore. None of these things are relevant to opening and operating a game store perhaps for good customer service (by which point it's already done).

Get a financial adviser, get a business adviser, get a lawyer. Talk about acquiring a small business orientated towards gaming with them, try to find a property up for lease, and go from there.

As for acquiring GW products, it should be fairly simple as contacting Gamesworkshop and arranging a business agreement. You should look at Warmachine, Flames of War, other big names in miniature war gaming. I've also seen many gaming stores also sell comics.

You and Spectreoneone are the advice I was looking for. Thank you.

Since you seem determined I'll give you a serious answer. These points aren't in any particular order:

* Make the store clean, professional and well-presented. When customers walk in it should feel like a SHOP and not a nerdcave. This means well-lit, well-maintained, open spaces and stock on SHELVES, not just piled up in a corner. Have your products divided in some kind of logical system and easy to find. This is one thing Games Workshop mostly get right, small cramped 1-man stores aside - their big stores are well lit, well presented and have a minimum of blaring thrash metal.
* The above but for staff. Resist the urge to show up to work looking like you just fell out of bed and be identifiable.
* Decide what you want the store to be early on and stick to it. If you want a 'hobby centre' with gaming and modelling space, make sure your store is big enough. Be realistic - you want enough space for people to be comfortable playing games, not cramming them in like a Chinese train.
* VENTILATE. A store full of people, particularly gaming nerds, is going to smell like ass if you have the same stale air all day.
* Be welcoming. This goes with being idenfitiable but when mum and Timmy walk into your store they want to see a member of staff who introduces themselves and is focused on them. If you're busily playing a game or chatting to your nerd buddies and maybe wave at them before returning to your conversation about the merits of Penal Legion they're going to be put off fast.
* Give up on the idea of playing games, especially at any time where you expect to be busy. You can maybe play at quiet times with a regular or two who understands that you may need to take extended breaks to get on with your job. This doesn't mean you have to be discourteous, and doesn't rule out intro games and such - those are part of sales in this hobby - but don't plan to spend the day in a hardcore gaming marathon. If you're really married to the idea of getting to play, run a private club after hours which locks the doors at a certain time - make it members only, make it clear that the doors close at say 6.00pm and if you're not in then you're not in, and always always ALWAYS play where you have line of sight to the counter.
* Open and shut at the times posted on the door. Too many stores run by 'when I show up to when I want to go home' - if you open up late consistently people will stop bothering, if you're shut on random days with no notice then people will learn not to just drop in, if you're consistently open late in an unscheduled fashion people will get used to just hanging out and that can cause problems on days when you want or need to shut on time. You don't have to be an donkey-cave about it and kick people out at 5pm on the dot but do be firm that guys can't start a game at 4.30 and expect to still be playing at 8.
* Edition wars, game pissing contests, faction preferences - you do not participate in these. You can have a laugh and a joke with customers but ultimately if you sell a product you don't want to undermine that product, and if your answer to why you don't stock something is 'I don't personally like it' then you need to get over yourself.

There's like a million more of these but this should be stuff to get you started. Remember always that if you're running a store then while you're at the store you're at work. Private hobby stuff, playing games, in-depth discussions about who's the hottest elf - these are all fine to do as long as you remember that their primary purpose in store hours is to be part of the community and build customer loyalty. They take second place to your real prime objective which is to sell as much plastic, metal and paint to as many people as possible so that the lights stay on and the shop stays open.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has a lot of useful information on starting a small business.

They have startup resource programs, and some general advice.
Their website is here:

http://www.sba.gov/content/follow-these-steps-starting-business

If you don't have a business plan and a bankroll, you probably should skip it.

That being said, there are some prominent store owners on here who can give you advice if you are serious.

Also, and I think I lost the link, there are some good web resources for starting game store entrepreneurs.

Coolyo294 wrote:Challenge the current manager of your FLGS to a ritual duel. Winner gets the store, the loser dies.

i have to sig this

As a former store owner, I would say skip it and stick with playing. Running a business, any business, is a ton of work with alot of risk. At the end of the day, you will probably lose money and spend a ton of effort in the process.

If you want to play, start a club and build a table.

Just for reference, for a small commercial space you are looking at around $1000 in rent (varies by location, of course), plus utilities, plus employee costs (wages, etc.), various fees, and taxes, and whatever it costs you to put up signage (our sign ran a couple of hundred) and retail setup (shelving, display, register, CC processing equipment, etc.) for your store BEFORE YOU EVEN OPEN YOUR DOORS. To set up a retail account with a distributor is fairly easy, but you also pay more than a direct account with GW. However, GW also has minimum orders and around $5-10k in minimum starting inventory IIRC. It is a huge time and money sink. You will spend more time cleaning the bathroom, taking out the trash, reconciling accounts, etc. than playing.

Corrode wrote:* VENTILATE. A store full of people, particularly gaming nerds, is going to smell like ass if you have the same stale air all day.

* Edition wars, game pissing contests, faction preferences - you do not participate in these. You can have a laugh and a joke with customers but ultimately if you sell a product you don't want to undermine that product, and if your answer to why you don't stock something is 'I don't personally like it' then you need to get over yourself.

These are huge. An unventilated store is terrible, gaming or not. Any concentration of people in a small space is going to generate a terrible smell.

Also with the second point, very true. You cannot be picky. I've seen people plan stores and decide because they don't like CCGs, they won't carry them. A huge mistake, for it brings in a lot of sales and has a very small shelf footprint. And being told when you're buying something that the game sucks and to buy X instead will simply put you off buying at the store at all.

Don't talk to a GW store about this. Talk to an actual small buisnees owner about it. The new paint line....2k for the rank of paint, and when you order paints you hvae to order 6 at a time. Your required to buy x amount stock x amount also. Thats as far into it as I got... GW does not seem friendly to the SB's imo.

My reccomendation is to open up your own store that sells a variety of gaming products, not just GW.

That way you are fairly diversified and have the safety net that comes with it.



You could sell GW, Battlefront, and PP products, some board games, generic hobby supplies, maybe even some computer games, and as much as it irks me to say, carry Magic and Yu-gi-o.

Have tables avaliable for all types of games. Board and TT games. Build up a friendship with local gamers. If you have that, you will have patronage. Offer competitive deals. Maybe 10% off certain products on certain days.

Scope out your competition. See what they are doing(being a gamer you are probably familiar with any local suppliers/game locations)



If you carry a variety of games you expand your customer base and also have the potential of cross over. If someone plays at a store and they see a different game on the shelf that is also played there, they are more likely to buy it then if they saw it elsewhere.