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Perfect Gaming Store:

A main "lobby" wherein you can find all of the products carried, a snack bar, and places to eat.

Multiple rooms off the main lobby wherein you find tables on which to play various games. segregated by game type. Tabletop Wargames in one room, TCG/CCG in another, Tabletop RPGs, in a third etc, with 1 or 2 more rooms for spill over.

In one more room, there are rentable lockers, to be used for storage of personal items. (so you dont HAVE to carry $4000 worth of plastic crack to and from the store every day)

Staff are knowledgable about the game beyond just "this is what the internet says"

Hygiene rules are in place, and enforced.

Food and drink are not allowed in the play rooms.

the majority of product lines are stocked, with replacement orders input within 24 hours of sale.

Tournaments are held weekly, with each week being dedicated to a specific game. (ex: Warhammer week, a 500-1000 point single day tournament, and then a 1250-2000 point 2 day tournament)

Dropzone Games in Maryland. It's gaming heaven.



To the left, there's a large space of product, and in the back there's an even larger gaming area. Since this photo they've done more renovation and it's even nicer and bigger. The also have a huge product line, a very clean store, great events, and great staff. Wish I lived closer.

A store that provides a place to play with terrain. Most importantly it would have a very active presence on the internet organizing games. It's annoying when store owners don't follow through or flake out.

All I really want in a store are lots of half-naked female staff flaunting their curves while instructing me on the finer points of painting and converting my toy soldiers.

What can I say? Everybody's got dreams.

Maybe not completely related but it bugs the life out of me that GW stores won't carry, even a small amount of FW stock. It would be a great draw to gamers who have been in for a while and are thinking of progressing. Even a few blisters on a rack at the till. Sorry if this is off topic!!

KirbyFan wrote:
All I really want in a store are lots of half-naked female staff flaunting their curves while instructing me on the finer points of painting and converting my toy soldiers.

What can I say? Everybody's got dreams.

How would you concentrate?
Back to topic
A store that has easy an access . My local Games workshop is not that easy to get too (due to the fact you have to endure a train ride with a bulk of plastic in your hands, and then a walk down the street)

One that's near me.Closer then a 2 hour car ride would be nice.

KirbyFan wrote:
All I really want in a store are lots of half-naked female staff flaunting their curves while instructing me on the finer points of painting and converting my toy soldiers.

What can I say? Everybody's got dreams.

That store would be dead as a door nail. Husbands/boyfriends wouldn't go because of spouses; females wouldn't go because lack of interest in boobs(unless they have just AWESOME advice); kids couldn't go because of their parents; and the target demographic would generally be too shy to even walk in the door.

Totally agree with the friendly staff. My local store that just opened up back at the beginning of summer is pretty nice but a little small. The guy that runs the place is pretty cool and he has done a couple of grand tourneys and I think one golden demon. So think he is pretty cool but he hired a total that guy. Local gamer who quit his job to work at this store and plays nothing but magic and tells everyone that walks in with an army that is not necrons how weak they are compared to necrons. Doesn't mind the front unless a regular knows he is suppose to be behind the counter or he goes in the back and turns on rap music as loud as possible. Oh top it off he tried to hit on my wife so not a fan.

Off the soap box now. More tables and space would be nice as well as a functioning AC unit. Arkansas gets pretty hot in the summer.

Something on tap, preferably dark.

Also, one of the pretzel cooker things like what you see at mall stands and in gas stations.

Barring that, obvious stuff, like place to play, and stocked shelves.

It doesn't take much, and yet I'm still so often disappointed.

Game tables, helpful salesmen that offer help but are not pushy, cleanliness, organization, and some decent decoration. I don't care what type of decoration but i like a store that has it act together. I don't like feeling too nerdy when inside either, i want to be able to take my wife inside with out her feeling awkward. Those are some pretty high demands though. Ohh and NO empty shelves. Its better not to have a shelf than to have an empty one. If i think a store is going out of business than it makes me feel weird, empty shelves seem to be a sign that the store is having difficult times.

Those of you asking for deep discounts don't know much about the hobby B&M business. These retailers typically operate on a pretty thin profit margin of between 5-10%. Offering you even a modest discount means they don't make money on that product. They can manage this for special occasions and special customers, but not every day and not for everyone.

 the_Armyman wrote:
Those of you asking for deep discounts don't know much about the hobby B&M business. These retailers typically operate on a pretty thin profit margin of between 5-10%. Offering you even a modest discount means they don't make money on that product. They can manage this for special occasions and special customers, but not every day and not for everyone.

Indeed. Which is why I suggest that brick'n'mortar stores are going the way of the Dodo.

Deep discounts - preferably 25% or better - is pretty much required to make me buy anything from Games Workshop these days. The price is just that bad. Sadly, as more and more players look to the internet for that kind of discounts, the local stores are shutting down.

Sad, but entirely predictable...

f2k wrote:
Sadly, as more and more players look to the internet for that kind of discounts, the local stores are shutting down. Sad, but entirely predictable...

Pay where you play... I used to be one of those guys that just wanted his models at the cheapest price (namely because it was next to impossible to rely on my old store to get product in), until I moved away from university. I found a local game store that is clean, brightly lit, friendly, and suddenly I stopped caring about discounts, but I had enough 40k models to play most games anyways. So I buy the odd model or kit when I want to and request a few things from his store when it piques my interest.

If you play at home or in a club, that's fine buy wherever you want, but if you play in your FLGS and they're not dbags about where you got/get your models, buy them there. It helps the store stay open and makes sure you have a place to play. Now spending 750 dollars on the latest Space Marine release online and then buying two pots of paint at your local store is not "pay where you play"

"Guardian Games in Portland, Oregon:"
If it is all true, it needs to franchise into Canada!
Honestly, all that was listed is about all I could think of as a great place.

A managed space to have comforts of similar to home (food, drink, place to sleep, well lit space to play, area to attend to hygiene, able to buy/borrow model supplies for repair or builds).
Just being able to get a decent coffee and a place to sit seems like a luxury lately.

Glad many of us are on the same page!

 Alfndrate wrote:

f2k wrote:
Sadly, as more and more players look to the internet for that kind of discounts, the local stores are shutting down. Sad, but entirely predictable...

Pay where you play... I used to be one of those guys that just wanted his models at the cheapest price (namely because it was next to impossible to rely on my old store to get product in), until I moved away from university. I found a local game store that is clean, brightly lit, friendly, and suddenly I stopped caring about discounts, but I had enough 40k models to play most games anyways. So I buy the odd model or kit when I want to and request a few things from his store when it piques my interest.

If you play at home or in a club, that's fine buy wherever you want, but if you play in your FLGS and they're not dbags about where you got/get your models, buy them there. It helps the store stay open and makes sure you have a place to play. Now spending 750 dollars on the latest Space Marine release online and then buying two pots of paint at your local store is not "pay where you play"

I really have to 2nd this. If you rely on a store to be where you play you should really support it. I do buy online but I always try and balance my purchases between the two. The models aren't worth anything if I don't have a place to play them. And all the money I save on models wit compare to the travel prices I'll pay to go to GTs only to play.

My ideal store sounds like Oregon. It's impressive they can survive. That's awesome though.

 Alfndrate wrote:

f2k wrote:
Sadly, as more and more players look to the internet for that kind of discounts, the local stores are shutting down. Sad, but entirely predictable...

Pay where you play... I used to be one of those guys that just wanted his models at the cheapest price (namely because it was next to impossible to rely on my old store to get product in), until I moved away from university. I found a local game store that is clean, brightly lit, friendly, and suddenly I stopped caring about discounts, but I had enough 40k models to play most games anyways. So I buy the odd model or kit when I want to and request a few things from his store when it piques my interest.

If you play at home or in a club, that's fine buy wherever you want, but if you play in your FLGS and they're not dbags about where you got/get your models, buy them there. It helps the store stay open and makes sure you have a place to play. Now spending 750 dollars on the latest Space Marine release online and then buying two pots of paint at your local store is not "pay where you play"

I play at home or in the local club (where I pay to be a member).


Frankly, I cannot see the idea behind playing in a store. As a player, I want to play in a quiet and relaxed environment - not being screamed at or having my models picked up by random strangers is a big plus in my opinion. And as a store owner, I would need to balance the extra space required for gaming (which cannot be used for sales) with the extra sale that I might, or might not, get.

As I said earlier, I have looked into doing this, but simply cannot see how it might work. The extra space required, and the increased rent, is prohibitive.


Also, though I certainly understand the sentiment of "buy where you play", I find it to be unrealistic. As Games Workshop keep on increasing their prices, the demand for discounts will only increase. At least, until the demand disappears entirely.

 DarkCorsair wrote:
Dropzone Games in Maryland. It's gaming heaven.



To the left, there's a large space of product, and in the back there's an even larger gaming area. Since this photo they've done more renovation and it's even nicer and bigger. The also have a huge product line, a very clean store, great events, and great staff. Wish I lived closer.

Plus, it is an environment where you feel like you can bring your 6 year old daughter! Double Plus Good!

f2k wrote:
I play at home or in the local club (where I pay to be a member).

Then that's fine, but the American gaming scene is built around gaming stores as our places to play.

Frankly, I cannot see the idea behind playing in a store. As a player, I want to play in a quiet and relaxed environment - not being screamed at or having my models picked up by random strangers is a big plus in my opinion. And as a store owner, I would need to balance the extra space required for gaming (which cannot be used for sales) with the extra sale that I might, or might not, get.

1) Most people in stores are respectful of other people's models because we're a close knit group. Strangers are rarely the 'norm' at gaming stores, I've never once been screamed at, or had my models picked up by a random person without being asked first.
2) No one asking for a lot of gaming space, 2 to 3 tables at most. And for every foot of product not available because of gaming space is a foot you've opened up for the bread winners of the gaming store, the Magic players. I'll find it again if I have to, but on average a small 10 to 20 person MtG group can easily bring in $22,000 dollars into your store. You run the business through Magic sales, you support the community through open play areas.

As I said earlier, I have looked into doing this, but simply cannot see how it might work. The extra space required, and the increased rent, is prohibitive.

It's not that prohibitive. An average 'strip mall' store is about 30ft wide by 100ft deep. If you assume 20 feet or so for a 'back room/storeroom' that leaves you with 30x80 of 'retail's space. If you put your gaming tables in the back you could have a 3 foot gap from the wall, a 4ft table, 4 feet between that table to another 4ft table. In the space of 15 feet you've got 2 tables, push these up against the wall and you've easily got the space for another 2 on the other wall. This may leave you with the space for another set of tables. That's enough tables to handle 12 40k players, and 12 skirmish game players (if you use an 8x4 table so that you can have 4 WMH players per table). That leaves us with 65 feet of actual retail space. This may be more, this may be less, but you've got plenty of space in such a location. And that's where you start bringing in the magic players throw a few of those 8x3/8x2.5 tables in there any you've got enough space for all the magic players your little store could handle.

Also, though I certainly understand the sentiment of "buy where you play", I find it to be unrealistic. As Games Workshop keep on increasing their prices, the demand for discounts will only increase. At least, until the demand disappears entirely.

And that's something stores have to deal with the majority of players I've met away from the internet sadly don't care about GWs prices and will continue to buy their products. Others of us do care, and we're upset about it and have moved games. And then there are some of us that don't care about the price because we either don't buy enough of it to matter, or we're too involved with the game to care.

The FLGS model is dying, I don't doubt this, but it's because of the internet, people demanding deep discounts on all products (even those 'fairly priced'), and overcoming the stigma of a dark, poorly kept store where the fat, sweaty nerd wants to have a place to hangout with his friends and thought opening a store would be worth it.

Knockagh wrote:
Maybe not completely related but it bugs the life out of me that GW stores won't carry, even a small amount of FW stock. It would be a great draw to gamers who have been in for a while and are thinking of progressing. Even a few blisters on a rack at the till. Sorry if this is off topic!!

Sadly this will never happen. FW doesn't give retailers discounts so they can sell it, so if a store wanted to stock FW they would have to buy it at cost with shipping.

 Valtyr wrote:

Is it something as simple as having the latest releases in on time and in a sufficient quantity? Are you more interested in a hub that becomes the focal point for the gaming community? Is having a decent quantity of space and tables an issue, or just enough seating so you can pop down and have a chat with other gamers? What about painting and modelling areas? Would you prefer a focus on miniature gaming only or would card games, board games and RPGs be of interest? Anything that you would define as important for a game store to succeed I am interested in hearing about.

My perfect game store would have all of that. Not because it all interests me (I've little interest in RPG's or CCG's) but because a comprehensive store builds the kind of gamer community necessary to sustain a store.

Much like Petre,
I've pretty much got the ideal game store here in the Chicago Area. It's called Games Plus and has been around for around for 20+ years.
http://www.games-plus.com/
Large gaming area, Employees who know how to behave, and the largest selection of miniatures I've ever seen, as well as RPG's, CCGs, CMG's, Boardgames, etc. It's the place I go and expect to see things I'd otherwise only be able to see online.

It's not exactly local because it's a 40 minute drive from my place in the city, but it hits all the high points. The only things folks have mentioned that it doesn't have are:
-Food beyond some snacks and a pop machine they have (though they allow outside food)
-Alcohol
-B&B
-Online Community
-Hobby workshop for airbrushing, etc. Their hobby area is just a table.

Also, twice a year they have 4 days of auctions where customers can auction their stuff for store credit. It's a massive undertaking that is a major draw for the local gaming population. Problem with Games+ is that it obviously took a long time to get where they are, so it'd be more of a long term goal for a new shop than a viable start-up model.

f2k wrote:

 the_Armyman wrote:
Those of you asking for deep discounts don't know much about the hobby B&M business. These retailers typically operate on a pretty thin profit margin of between 5-10%. Offering you even a modest discount means they don't make money on that product. They can manage this for special occasions and special customers, but not every day and not for everyone.

Indeed. Which is why I suggest that brick'n'mortar stores are going the way of the Dodo.

Deep discounts - preferably 25% or better - is pretty much required to make me buy anything from Games Workshop these days. The price is just that bad. Sadly, as more and more players look to the internet for that kind of discounts, the local stores are shutting down.

Sad, but entirely predictable...

I laugh and you and will dance upon your grave. Lots of people look for more in a store than just a discount, and those are my customers.

 GreenWarMachine wrote:
Totally agree with the friendly staff. My local store that just opened up back at the beginning of summer is pretty nice but a little small. The guy that runs the place is pretty cool and he has done a couple of grand tourneys and I think one golden demon. So think he is pretty cool but he hired a total that guy. Local gamer who quit his job to work at this store and plays nothing but magic and tells everyone that walks in with an army that is not necrons how weak they are compared to necrons. Doesn't mind the front unless a regular knows he is suppose to be behind the counter or he goes in the back and turns on rap music as loud as possible. Oh top it off he tried to hit on my wife so not a fan.

Off the soap box now. More tables and space would be nice as well as a functioning AC unit. Arkansas gets pretty hot in the summer.

All of this here ^ and a staff that doesnt treat you like you know nothing. I havent been posting here long, I have been collecting, reading and painting warhammer stuff for almost 4 years now, I spend hours reading and blah. I walk into a local GW store that just oppened 5 months ago, first time in. Nice guy, but he treated me like I had no idea about anything in my army, patronized me beyond an acceptable "I dont know you or your level of knowledge" amount and just felt like a gakky experince.

I will only be back to buy stuff, since all the other game shops are either being choked out of selling GW stuff or bad shops are now being stocked.

In addition to many things already mentioned--have a good supplier. I love my local store in many ways, but they are hopeless when it comes to getting stuff in.

I don't mind paying a bit more in exchange for the great service and gaming facilities they offer, but having to wait four weeks or more is a different matter.

Well I've started ordering my army from my FLGS. They are also an online retailer, (isnt there some Imperium rule from GW that you have to have a bricks and mortar store in order to be able to sell online anyway?). I've only been in a couple of times and only played there once, but the marginally bigger discount of some online retailers seems to be accompanied with more unreliability in my limited experience...

I've thought about it a bit, and what it would take for a store to get me as a regular customer. I can already hear the wailing and gnashing of teeth, but here it is.

A 30+ adults gaming night.

Probably not feasible, but if a store did that, they would absolutely earn my business.

 Phobos wrote:
I've thought about it a bit, and what it would take for a store to get me as a regular customer. I can already hear the wailing and gnashing of teeth, but here it is.

A 30+ adults gaming night.

Probably not feasible, but if a store did that, they would absolutely earn my business.

Why do you have to limit the age to 30+ What's the huge maturity difference between a 30 year old and a 25 year old? I work with 30 year olds, they're often just as immature as I am.

Edit: I can see 18+, 21+, etc... if you want booze around, but to just say, "no one under 30" is extremely limiting. Are you all going to rent a car to drive to 30+ night? what reason is there to just limit it at 30.

3 Things would make my perfect game store.

1) Good and exciting boards.

2) Active community, high frequency of pick up games.

3) Plenty of good and varied events.

Anything else is a bonus.

 Alfndrate wrote:

 Phobos wrote:


A 30+ adults gaming night.

Probably not feasible, but if a store did that, they would absolutely earn my business.

Why do you have to limit the age to 30+ What's the huge maturity difference between a 30 year old and a 25 year old? I work with 30 year olds, they're often just as immature as I am.

Edit: I can see 18+, 21+, etc... if you want booze around, but to just say, "no one under 30" is extremely limiting. Are you all going to rent a car to drive to 30+ night? what reason is there to just limit it at 30.

With the possible exception of 18+ and 21+ which mark real societal milestones in the USA, any age cutoff is going to be arbitrary. That said, I definitely see the logic behind a 30+ vets group. In practice it'd most likely attract folks that are upper 30's and beyond, but keeps the window wider. I'm in a group where most everyone (with one or two exceptions) is over 30. It's a very different dynamic than younger groups and I like it alot.

 Talizvar wrote:
"Guardian Games in Portland, Oregon:"
If it is all true, it needs to franchise into Canada!

I'll let Angel know next time I see her.