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My biggest plus/minuses are usually the friendliness and respectfulness of other gamers at a shop as well as the staff. A toxic crowd will send me elsewhere or back home where I game the most. A particular store has a few toxic elements that make me avoid pick up games there. Thankfully their staff and floor space are top notch so I will still purchase stock there.

 labmouse42 wrote:
Hey everyone! I'm pondering pioneering into the small business market and opening a gaming store.
As such, I would love to get the community's input as to what's important.

What do you think is the most important aspect of a gaming store?
What makes you want to shop at one? Why do you prefer one over another?

If I don't have something listed below, let me know and I'll add it.

Thanks all!

When I go to the FLGS, I go there to play Warhammer 40k. What that means I'm actually going to be using:

1. Tables
2. Warhammer 40k paraphernalia (the rulebook, terrain, blast markers, smoke, etc).
3. Drinks

1 and 2 are offered as a complimentary service for public use, so what I actually pay for is 3.

I also buy citadel paint, gaming dice, etc. from there as needed.

Chances are, I'm buying actual models online.

I will gladly spend the money on drinks and paint to make sure that the shop-owner has something to show for my having been there.

IoW: If you had 100 customers like me, what you should plan on is making a profit through individually low-costed, but relatively high volume sales (e.g., drinks, paint, etc.).

Expectations of the store owner: don't be a donkey cave; do not breathe down my neck.

 Elbows wrote:


The store must make business sense, and operate in a manner which allows it to continue to exist.

This is very important.

MtG for Dough. There was a game store I knew that prided itself on not playing MtG. They don't exist anymore. I just shook my head. Good for them, I guess? They rode that horse all the way to the unemployment line.

ALL of the people involved.

Including the players, owners, workers and what nots.

kronk wrote:This is very important.

MtG for Dough. There was a game store I knew that prided itself on not playing MtG. They don't exist anymore. I just shook my head. Good for them, I guess? They rode that horse all the way to the unemployment line.

I completely agree with this. At the end of the day, a gaming shop is not a simple social club. It is a business. Even under the most stringent requirements of ethics, one of the goals of a business is to provide a livelihood for the business owner (and any employees that he might hire).

This ultimately means that the business owner should be providing services to the target customers at a price which is, 1. just (a requirement of ethics), 2. consistent with the demands of the customers 3. able to sustain the business and provide a livelihood for the business owner (and his employees).

To the OP, I cannot stress enough the value of market research. You should be conducting local research, at the very least, to determine: 1. what products your target customers want and 2. what they are willing to pay for them.

All I want is a damn store that's not two hours away. That's my largest requirement.

Beer.

Well, there's a few things.

First of all, the most important, and I mean most important in the sense that this has to be there or else a gaming store this ain't, is being well stocked. Everyone here can say all kinds of great things about their stores, and yeah, that's what separates you from the rest, but you aren't running a gaming store unless you have stock. I've seen lots of great owners, and lots of terrible owners, and the terrible owners out-sell and have a bigger community than the great owners if they have lots of stock.

The second most important thing is space for a community to play in. One table is not enough. Two tables are often not enough. Depending on the town or city you're in, even three or four tables might not be enough! This game takes a lot more space than most card games, which often only need half or a third of the space. If you don't have tables, people won't come in to play, and you need to see the game actively being played to get a sense that there's a community to belong to.

Thirdly, you absolutely need to have the place be accessible. If you must be able to describe your location to someone who doesn't even care if they find you. "Down on 8th, across the corner from the 7-11" is good. "Go down 8th, there's a big building. There's a smaller building behind that. There's some stairs on the side, go to the basement. I'm there across from the Chinese restaurant." is not good.

After that, everything on this list is just good stuff. But for anyone interested in running a store, all THAT stuff is what's going to set you apart from your competition. Yes, have the place be well lit, and not smelling of days-old sweat. Have regular tournaments and game nights and leagues. Engage your community. Be nice, and never tell a customer that their purchase is "wrong" or "well what you really want is this..." or "that's sucks, this is much better". The occasional sale is great, but getting folks excited about a new release is better. And, of course, if you think and treat your place as a professional establishment, your clients will too!

 Yarium wrote:
Well, there's a few things.

First of all, the most important, and I mean most important in the sense that this has to be there or else a gaming store this ain't, is being well stocked. Everyone here can say all kinds of great things about their stores, and yeah, that's what separates you from the rest, but you aren't running a gaming store unless you have stock. I've seen lots of great owners, and lots of terrible owners, and the terrible owners out-sell and have a bigger community than the great owners if they have lots of stock.

The second most important thing is space for a community to play in. One table is not enough. Two tables are often not enough. Depending on the town or city you're in, even three or four tables might not be enough! This game takes a lot more space than most card games, which often only need half or a third of the space. If you don't have tables, people won't come in to play, and you need to see the game actively being played to get a sense that there's a community to belong to.

Thirdly, you absolutely need to have the place be accessible. If you must be able to describe your location to someone who doesn't even care if they find you. "Down on 8th, across the corner from the 7-11" is good. "Go down 8th, there's a big building. There's a smaller building behind that. There's some stairs on the side, go to the basement. I'm there across from the Chinese restaurant." is not good.

After that, everything on this list is just good stuff. But for anyone interested in running a store, all THAT stuff is what's going to set you apart from your competition. Yes, have the place be well lit, and not smelling of days-old sweat. Have regular tournaments and game nights and leagues. Engage your community. Be nice, and never tell a customer that their purchase is "wrong" or "well what you really want is this..." or "that's sucks, this is much better". The occasional sale is great, but getting folks excited about a new release is better. And, of course, if you think and treat your place as a professional establishment, your clients will too!

around here Yu-Gi-Oh and MTG take up about 10 or more tables, miniature games about 3-4 at most. and thats at the one store in town that does miniature games.

One further comment:

Do research on this, but my own feelings are: no music, and if you do have music, keep the volume down.

If I walk into a gaming store blasting rap music, I'm going to walk right back out. That simple.

Asterios wrote:
around here Yu-Gi-Oh and MTG take up about 10 or more tables, miniature games about 3-4 at most. and thats at the one store in town that does miniature games.

During league nights/Friday Night Magic sure, but I doubt your store is taking up 10 or more tables at other times. That's what I mean; depending on the place, you might have as many as 3 to 4 tables on the go every night, and it takes up a whole table. Miniature gamers use more space, and space is a premium. Card game players use less space, meaning that drop-in players can do their thing in a smaller space. Now, when it comes to tourneys, 20 miniature gamers will require a small hall, but 30 card game players can often play comfortably within a store.

 Yarium wrote:

Asterios wrote:
around here Yu-Gi-Oh and MTG take up about 10 or more tables, miniature games about 3-4 at most. and thats at the one store in town that does miniature games.

During league nights/Friday Night Magic sure, but I doubt your store is taking up 10 or more tables at other times. That's what I mean; depending on the place, you might have as many as 3 to 4 tables on the go every night, and it takes up a whole table. Miniature gamers use more space, and space is a premium. Card game players use less space, meaning that drop-in players can do their thing in a smaller space. Now, when it comes to tourneys, 20 miniature gamers will require a small hall, but 30 card game players can often play comfortably within a store.

well not many miniature game players here, mostly a group of us will meet at my place in my game room: (pic is old and room has been updated a bit)




and usually the miniatures game at the store might have a couple games for the entire week.

This sounds silly but the most important aspect is to be profitable to stay in business.
After that I really felt like saying "all of it" to the list.

So people who visit need to spend money.
What are all they ways to get money out of people?

Step 1: If they cannot find or contact your store you are doomed.
- Either good "walk-in location", Facebook page, website, good google placement or all the above.

Step 2: Give them a reason to enter your store.
- Carry product that is an easy sale (Collectable cards [MTG, Pokémon],FFG product [Board Games, X-Wing, Armada], models [Gundam, classic cars, WW2], Tabletop, paints, misc. model tools. Small items $20 or less are a good target.
- Have a dedicated play space, gamers are always short on something and impulse buys happen often during game time, seeing a bunch of happy people helps too.
- Keep a bright inviting well lit storefront, I find most women will pass it buy on the sole reason it was dark looking.
- Nice looking glass display cabinets with premium items or fully painted "masterpieces" are good to have.
- Register your store as a supplier / host with various gaming companies for support / sponsorship (MTG, Pokémon).

Step 3: Give them a reason to buy.
- Tournaments and games nights: it gives a person a reason to want to play and buy the stuff. Some forum to arrange play with your name on it is the way to go.
- Hold the occasional special.
- Monetize: Rent out some lockers for storage space, have vending machines for drinks and snacks, MGT can have a registration fee and hand out prizes and random (draw) ones.
- Keep a (small) line of credit for registered regulars and a rebate.
- Have a membership with real perks.

Step 4: Give them a reason to come back.
- Keep a lounge area off to one side, sometimes parents bring their kids to game and a quiet place to wait is a good option. It is a good space for others to hang-out who need a moment.
- The vending machines and possibly K-cup coffee dispense could be an option.
- Have a hobby / build space: well lit, near ventilation, table with comfortable chairs and a spray booth is ideal.
- Clean washroom with ceiling fan and air-freshener is a must. This area can be a #1 reason to scare people off. Not to double as janitor's closet or hobby area.

Step 5: Give them a reason to talk about you or hear about you. Do great things, why are you different or special?
- Have gift certificates available.
- Develop a partnership with other local vendors: local coffee shop: use them for supplying coffee and snacks on a tournament or release night. Get advertising at their place. Pizza delivery for game nights and advertising at their place.
- Donate cheap stock to schools or the underprivileged (MTG common cards are an easy thing).
- "Sponsor" good players and have shirts and banners for them when they play at other competitions or venues.
- Stay open extra late for certain game groups or a one-night generic "hobby night" where building and teaching is encouraged.

Step 6: Develop your skills as an owner, listen to your customer's needs (not the huge list of wants!).
- Try to get-in employees who are "experts" in a popular game and are enthusiastic about it.
- Get a very experienced model builder, even better is they can paint / airbrush.
- Try to prevent "the old boy's club" greet new faces heartily and ask if you can show that person around.
- Try to know a bit about each hobby and be able to get into some "talking geek sessions" it makes all those around happy.

Step 7: You made it this far? See if you can tweak a list of rules of behavior and post it... yes it is needed.
- Anyone gets out of line, point at the sign and they can never say they did not know.
- Much less arguing that way and you can tailor it to discourage "that customer" type that you may be challenged to not physically assault.

Every last thing listed above is to inspire customer loyalty.
They are comfortable at your store but not loitering, they add to a good environment.
I think the only problem you would have are those who "take advantage": use all your stuff, do not spend a dime and make others uncomfortable... they need to be shown the door.

It all boils down to "atmosphere" to literally be around "your people", a cultural hub like the old guys hanging around together at the coffee shop.

You might also want to build up something that can survive GW opening a GW store next door.. This is what they did in the Netherlands. They practically opened a GW store in every city that had at least one good running indep store.

I don't hope that this happens to you but you might want to be prepared for it.

 oldzoggy wrote:
I don't hope that this happens to you but you might want to be prepared for it.

For my local guy, they are laughable.
He carries more stock than they do and at cheaper prices.
Pointless saying "we can order it for you!" when they offer free shipping past $100 which pretty much always happens.
I think that would be the least of worries.

I'd add 'location' and 'parking' to your list, these are very important factors and closely linked.
If your store is as good as any of the others people will gravitate towards the most convenient.
You can't please everyone with your location and good luck finding a central location with great parking but that's the dream.

I'll also second Customers, you need a player base and a loyal community to make yourself stand above a GW store, not just lurkers and neckbeards and scavengers but a good wholesome group that play, recruit, run events, spend money and understand that you need that to stay open.

 labmouse42 wrote:
Hey everyone! I'm pondering pioneering into the small business market and opening a gaming store.
As such, I would love to get the community's input as to what's important.

What do you think is the most important aspect of a gaming store?
What makes you want to shop at one? Why do you prefer one over another?

If I don't have something listed below, let me know and I'll add it.

Thanks all!

I don't want to be a jerk, but I am a small business owner and I remember the best advise I have heard about starting a business. I want to share it with you.

If you are planning on opening a business, you need to be prepared to lose three things....
1. Your money, because there is a 90% chance you will close in the first 5 years.
2. Your friends, because you will need to put all of your time into running the business.
3. Your family, because if you don;t have any money and you don;t have any time; who is going to love you anymore?

Are you prepared to lose all of those things for your game store? If the answer is yes, then keep reading.

You shouldn't be asking yourself what will get people to choose your game store over another, because game stores have all ready lost the battle. You have to ask yourself, why would people BUY from your game store over going online and buying? Where are you going to drive revenue?

Notice, I didn't say sales. I said revenue. Sales are for amateurs. Professionals talk about profit margins and revenue streams. You see, the most important factor for starting a business is maintaining cash flow so you can grow profit margins for the year. Everything else is #wasteoftime.

The most important aspect of a gaming Store is that it is profitable. If it is not profitable the rest is just flushing money down the drain. Heck, you might as well just give it to me, I will even accept a check.

If you still want to continue despite my warnings, please do the following:
1. Connect with the local Chamber of Commerce/Small-Business Administration/or local Business incubator. They have experts that can help you and it is usually free.
2. Write a solid business plan vetted by professionals
3. Know and understand your brand promise and value proposition
4. Build a marketing plan vetted by professionals
5. Follow your business and marketing plan!

Good luck.

Even if the shop is not well stocked; if the tables are good and the atmosphere friendly, I would rather special order from them instead of going some wear eals or online.

Comic book subscriptions and layaway are services I highly value. They also make you money.

 Gunzhard wrote:
Beer.

I actually really thought that would be a good idea, as a beer and wine license is not that hard to get.

If I could cater just to the 40k people I could pull that off, but with the need for Magic players, that would have a big impact on the number of customers.

 labmouse42 wrote:

 Gunzhard wrote:
Beer.

I actually really thought that would be a good idea, as a beer and wine license is not that hard to get.

If I could cater just to the 40k people I could pull that off, but with the need for Magic players, that would have a big impact on the number of customers.

Also, in my own, limited experience of MtG players, them and booze are a terrible combination.

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:
Also, in my own, limited experience of MtG players, them and booze are a terrible combination.

And I've seen it work very well with 40k players. Odd how that works, isn't it?


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Easy E wrote:
If you still want to continue despite my warnings, please do the following:
1. Connect with the local Chamber of Commerce/Small-Business Administration/or local Business incubator. They have experts that can help you and it is usually free.
2. Write a solid business plan vetted by professionals
3. Know and understand your brand promise and value proposition
4. Build a marketing plan vetted by professionals
5. Follow your business and marketing plan!

Good luck.

I appreciate the suggestions, and I've already pondered them. I can't guarantee success, I can only hedge my bets to the best of my ability.
1) I already contacted them.
2) Working on the plan now. This poll and thread is part of that plan. In April 2016, tofellstories.com released a questionnaire in regards to the miniature demographic market A total of 1027 respondants provided detailed information about their spending habits. The Trading Card Game Industry and Superdata.com also provided great detail in regards to the CCG market. This combined with the US census polling data is helping me determine the ideal location.
3) On it now. I've been reading a books on starting your own small business and this has been addressed multiple times. Branding is critical.
4) In progress. Given that gamers are mostly computer literate, my focus on marketing will be via social and search engine based and less on radio. Why pay more to advertise to people who won't visit the store when instead I can target market?
5) That's the plan. If you are a business owner and are willing to review and give recommendations, please let me know.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Elbows wrote:
Quality table space is excellent, and the more modular the better. 3D sculpted beautiful tables are neat, but unless you're supporting yourself with 75% GW product etc. don't narrow your tables too much.

That's why I'm a big fan of the F.A.T. mats. Not only can you swap the terrain out by rolling out a new mat, but you can swap them out for warmachine, star wars, etc....

Thank you for your other suggestions. Most of them I've already considered and plan on implementing. It's good to hear confirmation and new ideas as well.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 kronk wrote:
MtG for Dough. There was a game store I knew that prided itself on not playing MtG. They don't exist anymore. I just shook my head. Good for them, I guess? They rode that horse all the way to the unemployment line.

Yep. Magic pays for the tabletop games. Given that the CCG market is moving digital, I have to find a long term solution to replace it.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Asterios wrote:
around here Yu-Gi-Oh and MTG take up about 10 or more tables, miniature games about 3-4 at most. and thats at the one store in town that does miniature games.

New England has a strong 40k scene. It's not uncommon on league nights here to see a 8+ tables filled up. A local RTT earlier this year had 53 players.

 labmouse42 wrote:

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:
Also, in my own, limited experience of MtG players, them and booze are a terrible combination.

And I've seen it work very well with 40k players. Odd how that works, isn't it?

Lol, that's kind of my point... While I've run into a few TFG 40k players, I can, and have, still go to the bar near the store and grab a beer.... It's like they can turn "it" off, and just enjoy talking fluff or crazy things going on.

I personally have never seen the level of TFG in 40k, that I have seen with MtG players.

 Talizvar wrote:
Step 1: If they cannot find or contact your store you are doomed.
- Either good "walk-in location", Facebook page, website, good google placement or all the above.

I'm on this. I've done SEO for companies as a side business and know how to register on google business, build a professional site, drive traffic, etc.

I like the idea of a small line of credit. Do you think people would abuse it?
I also like the idea of adding membership perks. My plan was to give any regular a 10% card, but having like a quartely 'member appreciation party' might be a good idea. My gym does something similar and it helps build community.

I like the lounge area. Space is a premium where I am looking to open, but I like the idea. One store I knew had a small playscape and I would take my 2 year old to play there while I shopped.

You have given lots of other good points, far to numerous to mention in completion. Thank you very much for all of them, they have been very helpful and given me a lot to ponder.

Customer service.

I've been to gaming stores where the employees and their friends give the cold shoulder to anyone outside their little clique. I've been to stores where they literally insult customers behind their backs.

I get that nerd hobbies and wargaming attract the....socially inept of society, but seriously, customer service is number one. I'm a shy guy myself who doesn't like meeting new people and I've still managed to be the friendliest guy in every place I've worked. If I can do it than there isn't really an excuse.

If I had to pick a second I would say stock. I get that there are a lot of armies these days but seriously can we have more than 4 items from every faction please? I feel like I gotta make all my purchases online whenever I want to improve my orks.

 labmouse42 wrote:

 Talizvar wrote:
Step 1: If they cannot find or contact your store you are doomed.
- Either good "walk-in location", Facebook page, website, good google placement or all the above.

I'm on this. I've done SEO for companies as a side business and know how to register on google business, build a professional site, drive traffic, etc.

You can find synergies as well, near universities is gold, the other FLGS is near a dance and karate club.

I like the idea of a small line of credit. Do you think people would abuse it?

It is handy for the MTG trading and if people exchange model collections. Abuse happens, just cut credit as needed and push for it being a positive value.

I also like the idea of adding membership perks. My plan was to give any regular a 10% card, but having like a quartely 'member appreciation party' might be a good idea. My gym does something similar and it helps build community.

Wait till you get some regulars and good ones that bring new people.

I like the lounge area. Space is a premium where I am looking to open, but I like the idea. One store I knew had a small playscape and I would take my 2 year old to play there while I shopped.

Even a couch off to one side with a reading light and a flat surface nearby would set a tone

You have given lots of other good points, far to numerous to mention in completion. Thank you very much for all of them, they have been very helpful and given me a lot to ponder.

Most of these points are stolen from successful stores and my own observations/thoughts.
It would be nice to see success for these.
May have to add the capachino machine and candy store elements!

1. A clean bathroom,nothing is worse then having to use the bathroom and it hasn't been cleaned in months. Clean the bathroom everyday.

2. Event nights,this helps build a community and hopefully sells product.

3. Knowledgeable staff. They don't have to be an expert but at least have some knowledge on the products your selling.

Honestly, the one and only really important consideration for me is to be well stocked.

I couldn't give a rat's jiggly bits if you have the prettiest tables on the planet, run tournaments every three and a half minutes giving away parts of Sweden as prizes, and have fridges stocked full of bottles of tears scooped lovingly from the cheeks of the finest prepubescent wilderbeast... if I'm making the effort to walk into your store and you don't have what I want sitting on the shelf, there's a very good chance that I won't bother visiting again.

Anything else is gravy.

 insaniak wrote:
Honestly, the one and only really important consideration for me is to be well stocked.

I couldn't give a rat's jiggly bits if you have the prettiest tables on the planet, run tournaments every three and a half minutes giving away parts of Sweden as prizes, and have fridges stocked full of bottles of tears scooped lovingly from the cheeks of the finest prepubescent wilderbeast... if I'm making the effort to walk into your store and you don't have what I want sitting on the shelf, there's a very good chance that I won't bother visiting again.

Anything else is gravy.

But what if what you want is an ultra rare, gold plated Mega-Lion from Voltron that has been OOP since 1776?? Does the rarity of the item count for something, or are you, in this case saying something to the affect of, "Tactical Marines from Warhammer 40k are one of the most popular boxes sold by GW retailers. If I walk into your shop and you don't have something that is ludicrously common in stock, it shows me that you don't give a rats arse about the shop, and I will not be back." ??

 insaniak wrote:
Honestly, the one and only really important consideration for me is to be well stocked.
I couldn't give a rat's jiggly bits if you have the prettiest tables on the planet, run tournaments every three and a half minutes giving away parts of Sweden as prizes, and have fridges stocked full of bottles of tears scooped lovingly from the cheeks of the finest prepubescent wilderbeast... if I'm making the effort to walk into your store and you don't have what I want sitting on the shelf, there's a very good chance that I won't bother visiting again.
Anything else is gravy.

If you are in it purely for putting together the models, then yeah this is pretty much the stance to take.
Most likely they already lost you to internet sales of some kind anyway.
They would only get a sale from you if you felt you wanted that item NOW.
I am unsure you would be a target demographic to aim for: repeat sales would be rather fickle... you would be gravy for them but little else.

I find for most of the FLGS in my area, the local active gamers are what get the sales, not so much the man-cave dwellers.

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:

But what if what you want is an ultra rare, gold plated Mega-Lion from Voltron that has been OOP since 1776??

Then I would be looking for a store that specialises in OOP toys, and would be checking if they have it in stock before leaving my house.

I wouldn't expect a regular store to stock anything that is out of production, because that's just not what they do. However, within the bounds of what they say they do, I'll return to the store that has product on the shelf in preference to the one that doesn't... because the one that doesn't is just wasting my time.


Too many game stores seem to work off a model of 'Keep the fast sellers in stock and special order everything else'. If I'm going to have to order it anyway, I might as well just order it online, have it mailed to my house and save myself a trip. The whole point of a physical store is to be able to walk in and buy what you want.



Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Talizvar wrote:
If you are in it purely for putting together the models, then yeah this is pretty much the stance to take.

I'm not in it purely for the models. I've been an active gamer in multiple games systems for more than 20 years now.

I just don't expect a store to be a gaming venue, and so a store catering to gameplay is not a drawcard for me.