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The staff will be me and my Family

Nnnngghhhhhhghghhhhh....

Doooooon't mean to be breaking up your plan, buuuuuut I'd be very, very cautious about this. Family and business rarely mix well.

I go to my comic store at least once a week and I always buy my manga, 40k stuff and painting supplies from them. If they can't supply the collectors edition codices I go online. I also cosplay for special events at the store and help out which always goes down well if you ever want to do that to help promote your business

 Sushisamurai wrote:
I go to my comic store at least once a week and I always buy my manga, 40k stuff and painting supplies from them. If they can't supply the collectors edition codices I go online. I also cosplay for special events at the store and help out which always goes down well if you ever want to do that to help promote your business

I'll back the idea that special events are a boon. Mini wargaming once did a video contest where people had to make a video about the up and coming tyranid release. Winner got a trygon. Me and a buddy entered and didn't win, but it was still great fun. I think our video might not have qualified for the judging panel or something though. The deadline was very very vague.

Anyways, yes. Goofy contests make awesome publicity.

 curran12 wrote:

The staff will be me and my Family

Nnnngghhhhhhghghhhhh....

Doooooon't mean to be breaking up your plan, buuuuuut I'd be very, very cautious about this. Family and business rarely mix well.

Or at the very least you should have non-family employees too. And you should be flexable with your family hours.

A little spat at home that would ordinarily be forgotten by simply being apart could turn into an all out war if you spend both home time and work time together. And family dynamics could easily cause trouble for the business.


it can work, but you need to be careful and have a plan for those days when you don't get along so well.

 Grey Templar wrote:

 curran12 wrote:

The staff will be me and my Family

Nnnngghhhhhhghghhhhh....

Doooooon't mean to be breaking up your plan, buuuuuut I'd be very, very cautious about this. Family and business rarely mix well.

Or at the very least you should have non-family employees too. And you should be flexable with your family hours.

A little spat at home that would ordinarily be forgotten by simply being apart could turn into an all out war if you spend both home time and work time together. And family dynamics could easily cause trouble for the business.


it can work, but you need to be careful and have a plan for those days when you don't get along so well.

And it is worth noting that while it is very easy to hire family, how easy is it for you to fire family?

You need to remember that you are running a business. As awesome as family, community and that are, if your business is flawed, it will collapse and collapse fast. Family-run outfits can work, like Templar said, but you are on a very, very fragile piece of ice. Is your family trained? Is your family experienced with customer service? Are they trained or experienced with sales? You can't just hire people who know games, that is a surefire way for your store to fail.

So thankfully the answer is yes to all the above regarding Family. Customer service etc is key that is for sure what is nice so far is all the feedback mirrors everything I want to do with the store. I see the same flaws in all game stores escpecially the to busy to help syndrome.

 rubiksnoob wrote:

 Necroshea wrote:


Also, I think music really helps the atmosphere. I've gone to stores with no music, and people weren't talking too much. The only thing you heard was the owners trying to sell stuff to you. It was...awkward. Like an oppressive library.

I agree with having music, but don't put on your own personal favorite tunes, or those of the regulars. Put on the radio. You just want something generic and unoffensive playing in the background, not your favorite jam playlist. I'm not saying you should have a continuous loop of Taylor Swift's greatest hits, but make sure it isn't something that will put off the casual, first-time customer.

I agree with this as well. As much as I love black metal and East Bay Hardcore, it's not exactly going to bring you extra customers when you have Incipit Satan or Chainsaw Gutsfeth on the speakers. You're just going to scare people away.

Good employees who can give me intro games to new systems are also good.

Nice tables (they don't have to be professional standard, a Battlemat stapled onto wood is perfectly fine, but a piece of wood painted green is not) and a few of them!

A wide range of models. This really is the biggie for me (well, it would be if there was more than 1 shop). I'd go to every local shop on a game night to see what games are played. Stock all those games and have a wide range of their stuff.

That's my 2 cents.

My ideal game store would have a solid business plan that allows it to stay in business.

I would branch out of wargaming and into comics, action figures, tshirts, etc if you have the room. Not only will it bring you more business, but with an impressive table setup you would be sure to make more wargaming fans off the comic enthusiasts.

Clean
Zero-Tolerance "No Neck-beard" policy.
Games that take place after I get off work.
Partitioned-off adults section free from sticky-handed tots, and irritating teens.
Staff that leaves me alone while browsing the selection.

1) Cheap Models

2) Many gaming tables

3) Vending Machine

4) Strippers cosplaying as either SoB or DE wyches.

5) No kids policy

And yes, I am NOT being serious :3

Except for the part about gaming tables. What bothers me about the game stores I go to is that there never seems to be enough space; there's usually only 2 4x4 gaming tables, and that's not very, well, good.

A painting station is always nice, and air conditioning and ventilation is vital in hot climates, especially in a crowded store for obvious reasons.

Organization is always good. No one likes having to dig through 3 piles of space marines to get to a monolith. There's a hobby store where I live that's an absolute crowded mess. I don't go there.

Oh, and I'm serious about the part about the kids as well. Of course, you can't legally do anything about that I think.

Well kids can be ok I remember what it was like as a teenager and older gamers never wanted to play me almost made me leave the hobby. Many of my friends did and never came back . But I get it I think it goes along with the rules. they apply to everyone. Also tables yes lots of tables is critical.

Chongara wrote:
Clean
Zero-Tolerance "No Neck-beard" policy.
Games that take place after I get off work.
Partitioned-off adults section free from sticky-handed tots, and irritating teens.
Staff that leaves me alone while browsing the selection.

Not all teens are irritating . . .

Well my store will definatly allow teens and kids to play you have to there the future of the hobby. They will have to just follow the rules and be courteious etc just like anyone would be expected to be.

-Well Ventilated
-Clean
-Good selection
-Clean (I know I put it twice)
-Reasonable size gaming area
-Friendly, Welcoming Staff

Basically, same stuff everyone else has been saying..

A customer rewards program is a great Idea, I will go back to a store that rewards me for giving them business. Also Special Sales events... Also a good nice entrance with a nice display, whether it be an awesome battlefield set up with models, or a life size space marine!

But I think the biggest trend here, is be welcoming to EVERYONE.. treat it as an open community, not a club.. can't stress that enough!

I don't game in stores, so all I want in a game store is clean, preferably airconditioned, with a good selection of stock and the ability to get me stuff that I want.

The FLGS does this and it gets my business.

The store I shop at keeps me coming back because in addition to the usual stuff they stock, they stock some of the more obscure and hard to find figures and terrain from net only companies not linked with their distributor.

Variety.

And +1 to the no unruly children thing.

My vision is to be an open community welcoming everyone that walks through the door. What is motivating me is a desire to have a solid business that will survive and to do that means customers have to come back. In a world of 25 percent online discounts I realize the average customer needs that extra mile to want to support there cmmunity gaming store. An incentive to that is a rewards program, livly events, well lit and clean store. With a nice selection of items. Keep the feedback coming.

My ideal game store?

1.) Clean
2.) Stocked
3.) No BS in getting your stuff in

Sounds rather basic, right? Well, that seems to be a problem in my area after about three game stores have come through and fallen in the same manner. Just having those basic necessities for once would make me a happy camper.

 Goldshield wrote:
My ideal game store?

1.) Clean
2.) Stocked
3.) No BS in getting your stuff in

Sounds rather basic, right? Well, that seems to be a problem in my area after about three game stores have come through and fallen in the same manner. Just having those basic necessities for once would make me a happy camper.

Well I would ask why did they go under? It i a very tough business a brick and morter game store. But to often they are not run as business and they need to be.

Yeah, they often are more of a pet project or dream job thing that the person in question just does without considering the real need to be a business.

Diversity would be a good idea. You might want to stock generic hobby supplies like some model kits, glue, hobby tools, etc... Maybe some video games too.

Another thing that might be nice would be a computer for free access to online resources like FAQs, maybe with a printer. Pink up a used Desktop at your local used electronics store, shouldn't be more than $150. You'll probably have one for the store anyway, it can be nice to have it avalaible for gamers if a rule question arises. Failing that, having a binder with all the latest FAQs and Erratas for each game system would be a nice handy feature.

no kids after a certain time

beer and food when the kids leave

hot chicks serving food and drinks


OMMP friendly

Get some old xbox's (maybe xbox 360's by then) and throw LAN parties or even tournaments. Seems like it's old fashioned, but the atmosphere of getting a bunch of guys together to play a game in room together is so much more fun than doing it online.

Halo (especially the original), is awesome in this regard.

 Albatross wrote:
I would also like STRICTLY enforced bodily hygiene rules. I distinctly remember a GW staffer blatantly spraying patrons with air-freshener one time. When it gets THAT bad, steps need to be taken. Whenever I venture out gaming (which is rare these days, admittedly), I treat it as if I was going out to a bar - I dress well and wear nice cologne. It's the least I can do if I'm going to be in close proximity to other people for a significant period of time.

This, this, and a hundred times this. It is absolutely imperative that you enforce bodily hygiene among your war gamers. I mean if it's worth anything take it from me. I'm a relatively new patron to the FLGS scene. Yesterday I had a game at my FLGS and, my God, the stench. The smell was so bad, that I was almost put off from going there again.

I guess what I'm trying to say is first impressions are everything. When that impression is based on something so menial as personal hygiene it is imperative you enforce a strict standard for your store.

Try to get the biggest space you can afford. You would be surprised how quickly even a large space can get filled up with shelves of stock, displays, and gaming tables.

Keep the gaming area separate from the shopping area. I hate it when I go into a store and have to squeeze my way around a table full of players to see the shelves around them.

The gaming area: keep it clean, keep it organized. Make it clear to the gamers that the tables should be cleared when they're done (i.e. return terrain to its storage location). Try not to let people leave their drinks on the wargaming tables without some sort of coaster (be quiet about, leave cheap coasters on all the tables, and even just walk up randomly and put them under someone's drink, they'll get the message).

The shopping area: keep it clean, keep it organized, keep it roomy. Make sure that there's always enough space for two people carrying product to walk by each other. Don't worry about stocking everything, but stock the essentials along with some extras. Make it clear that items can be ordered as soon as possible. Also, realize that the internet exists, and people will order from discounters if you don't offer something to counteract that (whether it be a discount of your own or a rewards program). Simply put, GW has reached the point where I simply cannot afford to buy a whole army at full price.

Lots of light is important, but be careful about a storefront that is a wall of glass, especially if you're in a hot area, as it can drive up your AC bills. Also, if you do have lots of windows like that, have some blinds on them that can be lowered in the late afternoon to block out the sun from being reflected directly into your customers' eyes from all the cars parked out in front (at my old FLGS, sometimes table sides were chosen solely to avoid being blinded by the sun).

Most importantly, make the newcomers feel welcome. Don't try to get into their pants like GW does to everyone who walks in, but make an attempt to learn their interests, point them in the right direction, and introduce them to other gamers if they're interested in playing. A personal example: I have social anxiety disorder. It is VERY HARD for me to meet new people on my own, but it is often much easier if someone can help me into a social situation. Once I get comfortable with my surroundings and I know a little about the people, I start to get fairly social. If I come in on game day and all you do is say "hi" and point me towards the tables, I am very liable to stand around in a corner by myself and then leave shortly afterwards, but if you take the extra time to make introductions and arrange a game for me with someone, I'll start to connect. And then I'll start to spend money.

One final note: identify early on the gamers who will actually help your store. Find out who is willing to build and paint cool terrain in exchange for some store credit. Find out who is willing to help run events. Find out who the Blood Bowl junkie is and talk him into running a Blood Bowl league, for example.

 Grey Templar wrote:
Yeah, they often are more of a pet project or dream job thing that the person in question just does without considering the real need to be a business.

Diversity would be a good idea. You might want to stock generic hobby supplies like some model kits, glue, hobby tools, etc... Maybe some video games too.

Another thing that might be nice would be a computer for free access to online resources like FAQs, maybe with a printer. Pink up a used Desktop at your local used electronics store, shouldn't be more than $150. You'll probably have one for the store anyway, it can be nice to have it avalaible for gamers if a rule question arises. Failing that, having a binder with all the latest FAQs and Erratas for each game system would be a nice handy feature.

Great feedback noted on the computer access for FAQs etc and a printer I like it. As far as stock well I have been reading up on this and basically the good business advice is to stock a good selection and then focus on what sells. but thnx for the input keep it coming.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Tannhauser42 wrote:
Try to get the biggest space you can afford. You would be surprised how quickly even a large space can get filled up with shelves of stock, displays, and gaming tables.

Keep the gaming area separate from the shopping area. I hate it when I go into a store and have to squeeze my way around a table full of players to see the shelves around them.

The gaming area: keep it clean, keep it organized. Make it clear to the gamers that the tables should be cleared when they're done (i.e. return terrain to its storage location). Try not to let people leave their drinks on the wargaming tables without some sort of coaster (be quiet about, leave cheap coasters on all the tables, and even just walk up randomly and put them under someone's drink, they'll get the message).

The shopping area: keep it clean, keep it organized, keep it roomy. Make sure that there's always enough space for two people carrying product to walk by each other. Don't worry about stocking everything, but stock the essentials along with some extras. Make it clear that items can be ordered as soon as possible. Also, realize that the internet exists, and people will order from discounters if you don't offer something to counteract that (whether it be a discount of your own or a rewards program). Simply put, GW has reached the point where I simply cannot afford to buy a whole army at full price.

Lots of light is important, but be careful about a storefront that is a wall of glass, especially if you're in a hot area, as it can drive up your AC bills. Also, if you do have lots of windows like that, have some blinds on them that can be lowered in the late afternoon to block out the sun from being reflected directly into your customers' eyes from all the cars parked out in front (at my old FLGS, sometimes table sides were chosen solely to avoid being blinded by the sun).

Most importantly, make the newcomers feel welcome. Don't try to get into their pants like GW does to everyone who walks in, but make an attempt to learn their interests, point them in the right direction, and introduce them to other gamers if they're interested in playing. A personal example: I have social anxiety disorder. It is VERY HARD for me to meet new people on my own, but it is often much easier if someone can help me into a social situation. Once I get comfortable with my surroundings and I know a little about the people, I start to get fairly social. If I come in on game day and all you do is say "hi" and point me towards the tables, I am very liable to stand around in a corner by myself and then leave shortly afterwards, but if you take the extra time to make introductions and arrange a game for me with someone, I'll start to connect. And then I'll start to spend money.

One final note: identify early on the gamers who will actually help your store. Find out who is willing to build and paint cool terrain in exchange for some store credit. Find out who is willing to help run events. Find out who the Blood Bowl junkie is and talk him into running a Blood Bowl league, for example.

Noted and thnx very good advice

Also, you should maintain the ability to order stuff you don't stock normally. Take special orders. Another thing customers like. If there is enough demand for a new product you can start carrying it.

 Grey Templar wrote:
Also, you should maintain the ability to order stuff you don't stock normally. Take special orders. Another thing customers like. If there is enough demand for a new product you can start carrying it.

That is absolutly correct and will be done. At the same time you need enough stock to encourage the impulse buy:]

Another thing you may consider is having small demo armies so you give demos. Maybe 1000 point 40k and Fantesy armies and Battlebox sets for Warmachine. You can have specific demo days during the week(maybe with a small discount for that game system) and give Demo games if requested.

Giving a new kid a demo game is a sure way to get them hooked.

Make sure to be professional and have some sort of returns policy/receipt policy.

The last time I went in to my local shop, I bought about $40 worth of stuff for a friend. Turns out I grabbed the wrong stuff due to miscommunication with my friend. I started to return it, but realized that I had never received a receipt.(My fault for not noticing)

In the end, I am stuck with two games that nobody wants.