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I've been going to them for 20+ years and they are closing. I walked in today to get a book to find out they are having a closing sale... It bummed me out. There have been too many game stores closing.
Open one up then. Fill the void with a leaner store and mix your genre together. A comic book/RPG mix would probably work, or a hobby shop/RPG mix. A small store. Don't expect to get rich, but you would probably enjoy being able to talk D&D at work constantly.
I am planning on someday doing the same and have been trying to decide the exact configuation and some mixes that would work.
Ahh, the never-ending threads of the fate of FLGSs. It is a shame, but it's difficult to compete with online stores that offer 20-30% off MSRP on boardgames and Amazon and their 30% off major RPG titles. There are ways, but only the best will stay afloat and prosper.
I wish I could relate to your predicament, but the major game store that I go to appears to be doing well enough. There have been two closures here in the Seattle area over the last year, but they specialized in Games Workshop stuff, and I from what I gather on internet threads (and they can be *ALL* trusted, right?) they (GW) are not making the best business decisions. One other suburban store closed their storefront to concentrate on eBay and online sales.
All the best in finding a suitable replacement! (and no, I wouldn't even waste the thought process on opening a store in such a volatile and niche marketplace).
Director of Narrative
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I am planning on someday doing the same and have been trying to decide the exact configuration and some mixes that would work.
The most successful one here in Austin has RPG/Board games/Comics/Anime. When I moved to Austin in '95 they had one small store. Now they have three big stores.
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Nope, I won't be opening a store... I know the market. I already did a game company and that didn't work out as well as we all hoped.
The local comic shop has a book case for RPG's, 90% D&D 10% other. They also sell mangas and card games.
It bums me out to keep seeing the closures. I know the market is small and Amazon and online/computer games are taking a chuck out... but still I like to root for the 'mom and pop' shops.
I would drive an hour or more to buy from my old fave shop. Just to support them.
It's a shame. They are dropping everywhere. Two of the decent ones here in Connecticut closed this past year.
It is always sad to see a game store closing. Same for a movie theater.
That's one of the reasons why i prefer to buy my game fix from a gamestore, rather than from a simple bookstore, such as Borders or Barnes & Nobles.
Support your local merchant :)
I've been going to them for 20+ years and they are closing. I walked in today to get a book to find out they are having a closing sale... It bummed me out. There have been too many game stores closing.
That is sad. What was the store's name?