DemetriDominov wrote:
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.

 Grey Templar wrote:
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.

 Firehead158 wrote:
I had mulled over this idea many times, and even looked into it with a friend of mine. A guy I know owns my FLGS that I regular, and he says its a money dump. For brick and mortar stores, you will bleed money for a while until you can create a steady customer base. I guess that also depends on where you set up shop. I wish you the best of luck. Here are some of my suggestions, some of which seem standard, others might help you stand out in the world of gaming stores.


Staffing:
Knowledgeable staffing. They should know the stock well, know about stocking issues(ex: Oh, we have it on order, but the company is back ordered for whatever reason), and be able to find something with relative quickness. I haven't found this to be too much of an issue in most stores I've been to, I'm just reinforcing it. I don't know how you plan on staffing it, whether you are going to hire some people to work for you, or just run the place by yourself or with a friend. The biggest problem I have found is not having enough staff on hand. I love my FLGS but sometimes its a little difficult to get the staff to assist you depending on what is going on. Though I've NEVER EVER EVER had an issue with purchasing the items, I always walk up to the counter and am assisted quickly. Try if you can to keep 2 or 3 people on hand. One to the run the counter, the other focusing on assisting customers in product, and a third focused on the customers gaming, or helping new potential customers get into gaming. When hes not, he should be organizing shelves, and making sure the stock is in order so the customer can easily find the product they are looking for. I hate having to hunt down the product I'm looking for, I personally like to be able to readily identify whether the product is there or not. Have them be willing to stay a little later and close up shop past the time in which it should have been closed. I have found myself getting into a game that shouldn't take that long to finish, but it certainly does. Having to stop just short of the end of the game, at a critical point really really sucks. As a side note: Have at least ONE, just ONE attractive woman that works there. I don't like going to a store filled with trolls. It adds a sense of normalcy.

Painting bar:
My FLGS has a painting bar, but it can be a little cramped, so make sure there is plenty of space. On slow days, it is nice to be able to just pop a squad and paint. Should have plenty of room, and be the best lit area in the store. Granted I prefer good lighting everywhere in the store, but this is the most important area. Maybe have a few lamps to plug in to improve lighting over that specific space.

Bits on hand:
This is one thing I personally have not seen in any FLGS that I've been to. Keep it behind the counter to reduce shrinkage(theft or loss of items through various means). It would be nice to only need one or two parts, maybe a replacement, that I can readily get at my FLGS instead of having to buy an entire box(which isn't a bad business practice, just an inconvenience to the customer) or go online and wait for my parts to get there.

Discount incentive program:
Maybe have some cards that you punch, and after buying however many items at a certain price value(lets say 35 bucks or so) that you can punch. After you fill up the card, you get a 25% off of your next purchase or something. Gymnogyps idea is also fantastic as well. Also, as a good gesture, have a military/law enforcement discount.

Well thought out gaming tables:
Be prepared to build your own, or have someone do it for you. It may seem fairly stupid(a table to play is a table to play, right?), but this is a minor peeve of mine. I like raised edges to reduce the chances of my models falling off of a table or something, with plenty of space under the table to store unused models(stuff waiting to come onto the board), or your storage containers for stuff you aren't using at all. They should be just above waist height for the average person(what is it? 5 foot 9 inches?) that way it isn't a strain to get a good birds eye view, move models around, or get low to get line of sight. A cup holder or place to put a drink that isn't in the storage area, or on the top of the table is a plus too. We know how gamers are and their giant 44 oz or 52 oz big gulps, it sweats and gets water everywhere. Maybe at the edge of the table you have a space about 4 to 5 inches, running the length of the table as well. That would also have a sidewall to it to reduce spilling models onto the floor if it gets bumped into.

Tables designated for specific things:
Have some tables that are only for modeling, have some only for card games, and some for roleplayers. I find my FLGS packed on the weekends, its hard to find a space to sit 5 or 6 guys to play some Pathfinder or Shadowrun. Nothing like having 5 or 6 cases, with the owner nowhere in sight(he probably is, but could be playing on a table or something).

Storage lockers:
Maybe a place to put your stuff when you run out for food? I've personally never had the issue, but I've heard of someone leaving to get some chow, and they're missing stuff when they get back. Having various lockers to store your stuff(some big, some small), with locks assigned to them I think would help make your regulars feel at home. Use locks specific to those lockers, so that if you find yourself closing one night, and someones stuff is still in there, you can identify who it belongs to, and if it doesn't get claimed in a few days you can unlock it, and put the stuff in the backroom.

Store Armies/Units:
Lets say that a player wants to try a new unit or something, and doesn't want to buy up something yet. Nobody likes buying a unit only to find they completely and utterly suck. Maybe you can make it a requirement that they have a drivers license, and be over the age of 18, and when they hand that over, you can lend them a unit or army to test out? This will likely lead to shrinkage, because stuff can get broken, or stolen. At least once you get their drivers license you have information required to press charges in the event of theft. I think some people would think this is a terrible idea, others might not. Entirely up to you, like I said only suggestions to make you stick out above other stores.

Room rentals:
Depending on the space you get, if you have a spare room not in use, maybe you could use it for rentals? People could pay a very small fee to rent a private space where they can close the door, and have peace and quite while they do whatever they do. Could be for private events or whatever. I don't know, this is just an idea me and a buddy tossed around.

Just a few things I had in mind for my store. I'll probably add more to it. Also when I'm in northern california in 2018 I'll make sure to stop by your store, I'm a huge supporter of "mom and pop" stores like FLGS.

ETA: Sorry for the double tap on some of this stuff, at the time that I created this reply, some of this stuff hadn't been said, and was said by the time it posted.

 Firehead158 wrote:
Glad this is still an idea you are throwing around. I hope that this is an endeavor you'll truly enjoy.