My brother and I are hoping to open up our own game shop this year, and I was wondering(hoping) if any of you out there who own a store could give some advice.
Those of you who are merely customers, I was wondering what it is you feel your game shop does particularly well, and what you wish they could do better.
Thanks!
Also, if you have a good idea for a store name, that would be appreciated as well.
As a customer, here's my biggest pet peeve:
Your team members should be focused on the customer. Not on the game in the back of the store, not on their buddy's story from last night's game, not on painting miniatures at the front counter, not on the web page pulled up on the store's computer.
To that end, make sure you hire customer service professionals, not gamers who want to work in a game store. Make sure you enforce some level of semi-professional clothing/uniforms. Greasy hair and unwashed shirts do not attract customers.
Good luck! I'm sure there will be other ideas. If not, I'm sure I come up with a few other things from a customer's perspective.
Opening a game store has been my “lotto dream” for a while now. Meaning I would never think about opening one unless I didn’t care if it made money. That being said, you’re a brave person for trying to make a business out of one. As far as advice goes, make sure you keep all of your CCG stuff in a locked case under the counter. These are usually the bread and butter of most game stores, they bring in the most money, but they are also the largest theft item. I don’t think I’ve been in a game store that hasn’t had YuGiOh cards stolen.
Keep catalogs of all the manufacturers who’s product you carry, especially miniatures, at the front counter for customers to look though. That way you never miss out on a sale just because the product isn’t in stock. You may even sell something the customer didn’t come in looking for.
Doug’s is right as far as customer service goes. Make sure you get people who believe it is their job to help anyone who walks in the door find what they’re looking for, not just talk gaming and receive an employee discount on their hobby. On the flipside however, don’t make your employees too pushy, I’ve sworn off ever going into a Games Workshop again because I feel like I walked onto a used car lot every time I go in.
Don’t let your prejudices get the better of you. You may not like YuGiOh, or Poke’mon, or 4th Edition, but this shit sells. It’s incredibly hard to operate a store that just sells what you like and make money. Actually the reason I wouldn’t want to open a store unless I didn’t need it to make money. I get annoyed enough having to deal with YuGiOh kids at the local game stores without peddling the crap my self.
Lastly, events. Events such as tournaments, game days, and product release parties bring in people like crazy. Having a well maintained website with calendar showcasing these events helps as well.
Oh, and as for the name, put 'Game' in the title. People might mistake it for a video game store and come in. This will probably drive your employees crazy, but 1 out of every 20 people who comes in this way might actually get interested in one of your hobbies through exposure.
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I, too, have had the Gaming Store Fantasy, but I have seen dozens of them open and fail in a matter of months.
If I were to open a store, I would go with a radically different model. I would create a Sci-fi/Fantasy Themed Dance Club/Bar with a Gaming Store attached (with an additional, separate entrance for shoppers who didn’t want to go into the club, of course).
That way, people paying cover charges and buying drinks would subsidize my store if sales drop off, rather than relying on making the shop 90% Yu-Gi-oh Cards.
That being said, it would probably fail, too. But I can dream...
I, too, have had the Gaming Store Fantasy, but I have seen dozens of them open and fail in a matter of months.
If I were to open a store, I would go with a radically different model. I would create a Sci-fi/Fantasy Themed Dance Club/Bar with a Gaming Store attached (with an additional, separate entrance for shoppers who didn’t want to go into the club, of course).
That way, people paying cover charges and buying drinks would subsidize my store if sales drop off, rather than relying on making the shop 90% Yu-Gi-oh Cards.
That being said, it would probably fail, too. But I can dream...
I *THINK* a game store that I used to go to attempted to switch to this format, but died horribly within a few months due to location issues.
My local shop is a rare success story... it's been open since 1976, and I've been a customer there since 1978 (it's moved location since then). I still have the 1st ed. Monster Manual I bought there, hot off the presses, and some of the old lead figures I bought when they were sold loose.
In addition to having a presentable store and a helpful, knowledgeable staff, the secret to their success has been to be an all-purpose "geek store." In addition to games they sell comics (the whole line, not just Marvel and DC) and fantasy, science fiction and horror books. They have a spacious gaming space (with cement floor so it can be hosed off if necessary.)
It helps that they're the only RPG-focused game store, the only comics store, and the last remaining independent bookstore in town.
They have a comics club (you maintain a pull list, they give you 10% off all your comics); a games club (buy $100 worth of games and get $10 of store credit), and a books club (10% off).
(And if you're going to sell comics, avoid the temptation to jump on the manga bandwagon and stock tons of it. You'll get your ass kicked by the chain bookstores and specialty manga/anime shops. Only carry the best-selling titles and let customers order the rest if they want it.)
Opening a game store has been my “lotto dream” for a while now. Meaning I would never think about opening one unless I didn’t care if it made money. That being said, you’re a brave person for trying to make a business out of one. As far as advice goes, make sure you keep all of your CCG stuff in a locked case under the counter. These are usually the bread and butter of most game stores, they bring in the most money, but they are also the largest theft item. I don’t think I’ve been in a game store that hasn’t had YuGiOh cards stolen.
Keep catalogs of all the manufacturers who’s product you carry, especially miniatures, at the front counter for customers to look though. That way you never miss out on a sale just because the product isn’t in stock. You may even sell something the customer didn’t come in looking for.
Doug’s is right as far as customer service goes. Make sure you get people who believe it is their job to help anyone who walks in the door find what they’re looking for, not just talk gaming and receive an employee discount on their hobby. On the flipside however, don’t make your employees too pushy, I’ve sworn off ever going into a Games Workshop again because I feel like I walked onto a used car lot every time I go in.
Don’t let your prejudices get the better of you. You may not like YuGiOh, or Poke’mon, or 4th Edition, but this s~@@ sells. It’s incredibly hard to operate a store that just sells what you like and make money. Actually the reason I wouldn’t want to open a store unless I didn’t need it to make money. I get annoyed enough having to deal with YuGiOh kids at the local game stores without peddling the crap my self.
Lastly, events. Events such as tournaments, game days, and product release parties bring in people like crazy. Having a well maintained website with calendar showcasing these events helps as well.
Oh, and as for the name, put 'Game' in the title. People might mistake it for a video game store and come in. This will probably drive your employees crazy, but 1...
Ditto on the Games Workshop thing. As an ex-employee of the Evil British Company, I can't tell you how frustrating the over-aggressive sales thing is both as the salesman AND the customer. I was in a psuedo management position, and I can't tell you how hard it is to balance your relationship with your customer base. Its very easy to let them take over your store... and just as easy to offend them and drive them off.
Minors will be a MAJOR issue. You have to remember that a lot of children will be there (especially if you have gaming areas) and a lot of parents will treat you like a daycare. Try to be patient with them and turn them into the gamer we all like... tolerant, polite, and friendly.
Hey, at least it was a location issue. That leaves a ray of hope for the concept!
I *THINK* a game store that I used to go to attempted to switch to this format, but died horribly within a few months due to location issues.
If I had the cash, I'd go in with you on this. I'd also have more theme nights and parties and such like described in a post above. It could really be a swinging place to be.
It's a shame the place died. They finally got the CCGers to separate from the RPGers and they could congregate and put their differences aside in the video gaming area(big screen, Guitar Hero, Rock Star, et. al. for a dollar a song, discounted if you played with a group). The only thing I would do differently is find a separate place for the LANers and internet cafe folk to be. Now THOSE guys creeped me out.
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If I had the cash, I'd go in with you on this. I'd also have more theme nights and parties and such like described in a post above. It could really be a swinging place to be.
I was thinking the same thing. Right now, people are having "Zombie Parties" and "Fang Parties" all the time. That kind of thing would be a huge draw.
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I can't emphasize enough how big of a deal it is to be willing to sell things that you personally don't like.
My FLGS only stocks the Pathfinder Core Rulebook and the Bestiary. I've ordered a couple of Paizo products through them, and they were either late or never came in.
On that note, when a person orders something, make a genuine effort to get it in as soon as you can. I can accept the fact that distributors can occasionally screw up, but after about 5 times of blaming the distributor, free 2-day Amazon shipping starts looking better and better.
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To that end, make sure you hire customer service professionals, not gamers who want to work in a game store. Make sure you enforce some level of semi-professional clothing/uniforms. Greasy hair and unwashed shirts do not attract customers.
Good luck! I'm sure there will be other ideas. If not, I'm sure I come up with a few other things from a customer's perspective.
From the flip side, there is a local game store that have people behind the counter who have no idea about the stock or gaming, eg you ask for the Dr Who RPG and they give you a blank look. I don't shop there anymore. So your ideal employees would be gamers that have a professional outlook to customer service.
I have a friend that manages a games store and his advice would be to make sure that you can see the whole shop from the counter and to place the counter near the front door....they have a lot of stock go walkies.
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adequate financing is also a big part, you need to be able to weather the financial storm until things begin to pick up. As some of the others said, a clean store, a knowledgeable staff that is friendly, carry things that you might not care for that do sell well.
Negative side, parents will leave their kids there and expect you to be sort of a free daycare. I had it happen within the store I managed, and its a not pleasant after being forced to contact the authorities about it.
Theft will always be a problem, if you lock everything behind glass you will risk losing sales so some sort of compromise will have to be made. The bigger problem will be shrinkage from employees. That does happen.
You will have to appeal to a larger market also. Bring in family games and puzzles. Puzzles sell well during certain times of the year and we used to recommend them for parties as an icebreaker.
Best of luck in your store.
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As a customer my biggest advice is the following.
1) Helpful, knowledgeable employs.
2) Keep the store clean, with good lighting and don't make it look dark and dank. That might appeal to some hard core gamers it will not appeal to all or even most.
3) Make it a destination, not just a place to buy the latest gaming books, comics or what ever. Make sure there is a reason people want to come to your store and buy stuff from you, instead of doing it from home and buying stuff for less.
4) Keep up to date on what is new, what is coming etc. Make sure this information is displayed somewhere to encourage people to see it and then come back for it.
Thats the best advice I can give.
adequate financing is also a big part, you need to be able to weather the financial storm until things begin to pick up.
Alternatively, you could do the store without the debt. In fact, you'd be in a much better financial position if you did. Not selling stuff? Guess you don't have to worry so much about that small business loan payment that's looming. Those games not moving? Put 'em on sale. If you've already paid for 'em, you have a lot more flexibility in what you're willing to sell them for.
As for further suggestions:
Security cameras. Have one watching the front register. This protects the team members in case of robbery, and keeps team members honest.
Train your team members to say "hello" to everyone who walks in the store, as well as to ask them if they would like any help finding things. You'll get to know your regulars, but it also puts shady customers on notice that you've seen them and are watching them. Train them to acknowledge the regulars. You got a guy that only comes in looking for Reaper Minis? They make sure you let him know where the new ones are located. Asking the regulars' opinions on things is a good idea, too. For instance, I know the minutia of mini-painting. Get me talking about oddball manufacturers or my favorites of the latest releases, and your store becomes a destination for me.
Traffic in the store: Put your displays up in such a way that you force customers to walk past all the other cool stuff you have in order to get to the new releases. More eye candy means more sales.
Don't expect to take a vacation for at least five years. Your store cannot afford you from being gone that long.
It's probably been said already but find an area with lots of people and no competition if possible.
Fixtures - try not to block your view from the register.
Face out - The cover art really is worth a thousand words. The art will sell a product better than the spine's text.
Put the product in the customer's hands. Old trick, but worth it when you're trying to convince them to spend $40+ on a board game. (Try this with Diplomacy.)
Consider a bag check at the door.
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Aesthetics! Create an excellent theme, preferably medieval. Darkwoods and thematic presentation lend to people liking your store and patroning it happily. Try to avoid fluorescent lights if you can. They always create a sterile neutral feel. That is the last thing a themed shop should be. Resist the temptation to open up before you are finished with the presentation of the shop. Nothing appears worse than gaping holes of nothing or disorganization. People get the idea you are here today, gone tomorrow. The store must be immaculately clean with no trace of your backroom or stocking visible to the customer. Move into an area that get's high traffic, not some dead mall that no one frequents. There is a very good reason those malls have died.
No clutter behind the sales desk. It must appear relaxed and easy to move about the store. When a customer sees an employee struggling to serve them, it makes them feel they are a burden.
If you have gaming on the premises, keep it invisible from the shop. Nothing worse than walking into a rowdy shop while being stared down by 12 people at various tables. The customer sees thrown about plastic storage containers for cards, backpacks here and there, various drinks and perhaps even food being consumed in your shop. Not cool. No.
When you open your doors and look out hoping to see a customer, remember that you have become a mark. You are going to be hit up by sales people six ways to Sunday. It really is disheartening when you put a lot of work into your shop and your first customer is someone who wants to sell you on something. Radiostations, cable television advertisers, promotion people, idea people, insurance people, etc. Even your suppliers will want you to order big and agree to something even bigger later. You will be reverse sold to. Say no to all of them. You will understand why when you can't even afford your house payment.
My last advice. Get realistic, right away. Figure your personal costs for you to keep your house, cars, etc. Then, figure out your expenses to run the business each month and times it by twenty-four. That is your total cash you will need before you even open the doors. Expect no profits the first two years. Don't delude yourself! The store will not make enough money to cover the expenses mentioned above. It will over time, maybe. When you start a shop, your glass better be half empty. I recommend losing a lot of your expenses before going into this venture.
The first game store I ever went to was called: The Game Warden. I still think it is cool today.
I, too, have had the Gaming Store Fantasy, but I have seen dozens of them open and fail in a matter of months.
If I were to open a store, I would go with a radically different model. I would create a Sci-fi/Fantasy Themed Dance Club/Bar with a Gaming Store attached (with an additional, separate entrance for shoppers who didn’t want to go into the club, of course).
Same, as shown where I mention my eventual "Game Emporium Bar & Grill" in the Laredo thread.
I've also told people for years that if I won the lottery, I'd open a gaming store and run it til the money was all gone.
My brother and I are hoping to open up our own game shop this year, and I was wondering(hoping) if any of you out there who own a store could give some advice.
Those of you who are merely customers, I was wondering what it is you feel your game shop does particularly well, and what you wish they could do better.
Thanks!
Also, if you have a good idea for a store name, that would be appreciated as well.
I live in the dead-zone between Baltimore and Washington, where there isn't really a game store worth the name within a 45-minute drive. But I can tell you what I like when I go to a game store.
I would recommend having a few isolated areas for players to conduct gaming in the store, including tables for minis battles. One thing I have thought about but never seen in a game store is private rooms for gaming. One reason I didn't like gaming at the store was that there were people gaming loudly at the next table over. Even a 6' cube wall would have made it more comfortable. Of course, you have to protect yourself from the risks of these rooms. Security cameras on the wall, and a shoplifting prevention device on the way into it (to prevent people from using the store as a no-purchase-necessary rules library and then "forgetting" to put a book back on the shelf).
My DREAM game shop? Private gaming rooms with full table service and a full menu. Can you make that work?
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I've considered my own game shop before. Honestly, if I did do private gaming rooms, there'd be a policy of not taking unpurchased items into them (and I'd think of a way to make sure this didn't happen. Having the entrance to said rooms in such a place that the person at the front counter could watch them would be a good start). I honestly think it would be more of a gaming store, too, than any of our local ones. The local gaming hotspot isn't even really in my city (though honestly, it might as well be. Olympia and Lacey Washington don't really have much of a dividing line), and the closest shop in Oly is a small comic shop with little to no selection of gaming materials. Not sure how well a game store would do in Olympia, but I'd want to try at least.
Bookmarked! (sorry for interrupting)
My DREAM game shop? Private gaming rooms with full table service and a full menu. Can you make that work?If such a thing existed... I feel I would never want to leave it. T'would be a thing of beauty.
Assuming the food didn't suck, of course. :p
Okay, I may be shooting myself in the foot here, but I know what the food/restaurant scene is like in NY and I don't think it would work here. So, here's my idea. Maybe it will work in your area(if it does, REMEMBER ME!!!)
The Dripping Dagger
This is not just a game store, it's a restaurant, bar and grill done in a medival theme. The food has a distinct european/middle eastern flavor(weird, but it can be done), and the prices range widely depending on whether or not you are eating during your game(dolled up trail rations, cheese, and weak beer- the last is to ensure we don't get drunk people gaming), or with friends on a night on the town(lots of skewered meats and veggies, gyros/falafels, stews/soups, and mysteriously spiced potatoes, and real ale), or even *gulp* on a DATE(MUCH better booze[wine, and some of my beloved mead], contemporary fare). The servers(though NOT all the staff) are comely wenches lifted shamelessly from the ren faire circuit's off-season, and music- both live and piped in- is available. Once every other Tuesday, the gaming area(which would be located upstairs, naturally) closes early to make room for an actual DJ so people can hold real throwdown theme parties.
In terms of the game store itself, it would be on the main floor, separated from the eatery in much the same fashion as the gewgaws and souveniers are at Cracker Barrel. I wouldn't have long rows of books available for purchase- just three copies available for browsing, and some non-cosplayed out staff to go get copies for purchase from the back. The extra space will go to displaying weird dice, card displays for CCGs(*sigh*) and just in general weird stuff, perhaps from local artists. Also, the rooms upstairs for gaming would be rentable by the hour or session, mildly soundproofed, and there would be a general area up there for DDR/Guitar Hero/Rock Band, Neo-Geo(CAPCOM SUX[except for the D&D sidescrollers, which would be there in a place of honor]!!!!!), etc.
Long story short, it would take a herculian effort and Mr. Burns level capital to even get it off the ground, much less make it work. But if it did...if it did...
{EDIT} The serving wenches are to be BUXOM!
Bookmarked! (sorry for interrupting)
May I suggest starting a list?
wrote some cool stuff
Freehold DM, the gamer retreat bandied about on the boards many years back included such a restaurant with private rooms and various good things like that.
I live in the dead-zone between Baltimore and Washington, where there isn't really a game store worth the name within a 45-minute drive.I WORK in that dead-zone. (Columbia, to be more precise.) Do you know of any RPGs being run in the area?
Not many. If I know them I usually join them, and I haven't joined a lot lately. Mine (3.5) filled up (overfilled) instantly when I announced it, and I have a pretty solid group so I don't expect any openings soon. I'm in another game that occasionally rotates games/GMs. How are you for Tuesday nights from 6:30-10, in the Odenton area? Depending on which way you go home from work, that might be better or worse.
(And just in case you're interested, there's a comic-book store near my place of work, with tables where people play HeroClix and MTG.)
Are you speaking of Comics to Astonish? That's the only such place I know of in town. I haven't been there in years, but I don't collect comics (other than TPBs of year-old story arcs) anymore.
Bookmarked! (sorry for interrupting)May I suggest starting a list?
Neat I didn't knew those worked for the MSG boards!
Thanks
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Aesthetics! Create an excellent theme, preferably medieval. Darkwoods and thematic presentation lend to people liking your store and patroning it happily. Try to avoid fluorescent lights if you can. They always create a sterile neutral feel.I disagree with this. A little bit of a theme is fine, but you don't want to overdo it. "Dark" woods will begin to make the place feel like a dungeon or caverns and that will not encourage customers.
Well I was there, and it was flippin' phenomenal! The best look of a shop I have seen from 30 or so , bar none.
Well I was there, and it was flippin' phenomenal! The best look of a shop I have seen from 30 or so , bar none.Aesthetics! Create an excellent theme, preferably medieval. Darkwoods and thematic presentation lend to people liking your store and patroning it happily. Try to avoid fluorescent lights if you can. They always create a sterile neutral feel.I disagree with this. A little bit of a theme is fine, but you don't want to overdo it. "Dark" woods will begin to make the place feel like a dungeon or caverns and that will not encourage customers.
Oh, it would be amazing, and a sight to behold. But yes, "Mom" would be freaked out. That "sterile and neutral" feel is EXACTLY what you want for your sales floor because then it isn't imposing or overwhelming. Now, decking out the game space could be done easily, because its gamers that would use it. But in general? No no no. I made a conscious decision about that when I opened my store; I have basic florescent lighting, blues and whites, open spaces, etc. I have a small space, so my gaming and my sales floor are one and the same, but beyond this I always work with regulars to ensure their behavior is acceptable; that "Mom" test is an amazing thing, and it does lead to new gamers being generated because those parents feel safe letting their kids hang out. One kid's parents are the sort of Christian who absolutely reject fantasy ala D&D and Magic, but their kid hangs out regularly at the shop and does a good deal of business with me for video games. So, I make good money off the kid despite the fact that he isn't "one of us".
To add to my experience, the stores in the area that screamed an atmosphere of stereotypical gamers (dark in general, violent & fantastic imagery all over the walls, etc), folded FAST. One store I know of down south of me is much larger and can do the comics, but they also keep lighter colors and brighter atmosphere and lighting, and they've been around for ages.
I agree that you need staff with good customer service skills, but for me personally, I want to go into a gaming store that, even if the staff don't say hi or whatever, they at least know about the products and can answer questions.
A SEPARATE gaming area, especially a private backroom or something, for games, even a few different rooms, is an awesome idea. But continuing that "Mom test" thing, you might want to have a spot in sight of the counter, but maybe still separate from the store somehow, for CCG playing, since a lot of the kids playing Yu-Gi-Oh and Pokemon aren't quite old enough to have NO supervision. But as everyone has already mentioned, don't let it turn into a free daycare.
Board games, board games, board games. Carry lots of different ones. Comics as well. Oh, and card games (people love Munchkin).
For food you could probably do fine stocking sodas, juices, teas, chips, candy bars, frozen burritos and hot pockets (and a microwave). Though you'll want to make it clear that food is to be consumed in gaming areas only, or outside, as you don't want some guy browsing through your stock and dripping greasy cheese from his hot pocket onto a page in some $50 gaming book.
PLEASE put a bulletin board somewhere near the front of the store. This is really my ONLY complaint about my FLGS, the bulletin board is in the back, where the gaming room is. If people are going into the gaming room, then they already have a game! The people that come in that might be sans gaming group don't go in the back, and often don't even realize there IS a bulletin board back there. Also, if you have someone posting an ad as a GM looking to start a group, then encourage that person to run a semi-public game right there in the store.
Hold a weekly or bi-weekly game intro workshop, where you introduce the rules and run through a quick adventure/scenario for a game. You could have an RPG one week, a Minis battle game the next, a board game (like Twilight Imperium) the next, a CCG (or other card game) the next.
Carry catalogs from the companies that you carry products of. (someone already mentioned that for minis, but I think it's a good idea for board games and RPGs as well, since you can't carry EVERYTHING).
Definitely make sure you can see the whole sales floor from the counter. That's exactly why my FLGS moved from their old location. This guy Lance kept lifting shit and selling it to kids for half the price.
I personally agree that bright and clean is the way to go, though some minor theme-ing couldn't hurt.
If I think of anything else, I'll post it.
Carry catalogs from the companies that you carry products of. (someone already mentioned that for minis, but I think it's a good idea for board games and RPGs as well, since you can't carry EVERYTHING).
BIG SECOND on that.
This is also someplace that the distributors could help - a browsable inventory of what THEY have, with pictures, product information, quantities, etc - and no pricing (leaving that for the store). Have the product page do something similar to Amazon, where it suggests like items.
If I had the ability to browse the distributor, via an in-store kiosk, when the store I've gone to doesn't have what I'm looking for, I'd be far more inclined to order - especially when it suggests like items that Amazon doesn't carry, or doesn't know anything about.
Heck, this is also something that the distributors could do to assist with combatting Amazon - help stores setup portal pages - this time, with pricing levels specified by the store, where I can browse from home, order online, and pickup in my local store.
Carry catalogs from the companies that you carry products of. (someone already mentioned that for minis, but I think it's a good idea for board games and RPGs as well, since you can't carry EVERYTHING).BIG SECOND on that.
This is also someplace that the distributors could help - a browsable inventory of what THEY have, with pictures, product information, quantities, etc - and no pricing (leaving that for the store). Have the product page do something similar to Amazon, where it suggests like items.
If I had the ability to browse the distributor, via an in-store kiosk, when the store I've gone to doesn't have what I'm looking for, I'd be far more inclined to order - especially when it suggests like items that Amazon doesn't carry, or doesn't know anything about.
Heck, this is also something that the distributors could do to assist with combatting Amazon - help stores setup portal pages - this time, with pricing levels specified by the store, where I can browse from home, order online, and pickup in my local store.
While an awesome idea, I think that's a bit out of the range of the question being asked. It's about how we would build an individual gaming store. That's more a network on the distributor's side that needs to be set up, not something a single store could do.
While an awesome idea, I think that's a bit out of the range of the question being asked. It's about how we would build an individual gaming store. That's more a network on the distributor's side that needs to be set up, not something a single store could do.Carry catalogs from the companies that you carry products of. (someone already mentioned that for minis, but I think it's a good idea for board games and RPGs as well, since you can't carry EVERYTHING).BIG SECOND on that.
This is also someplace that the distributors could help - a browsable inventory of what THEY have, with pictures, product information, quantities, etc - and no pricing (leaving that for the store). Have the product page do something similar to Amazon, where it suggests like items.
If I had the ability to browse the distributor, via an in-store kiosk, when the store I've gone to doesn't have what I'm looking for, I'd be far more inclined to order - especially when it suggests like items that Amazon doesn't carry, or doesn't know anything about.
Heck, this is also something that the distributors could do to assist with combatting Amazon - help stores setup portal pages - this time, with pricing levels specified by the store, where I can browse from home, order online, and pickup in my local store.
I'd like your thoughts on the Dripping Dagger about a page back if you haven't already given them.
I'd like your thoughts on the Dripping Dagger about a page back if you haven't already given them.
The Dripping Dagger
This is not just a game store, it's a restaurant, bar and grill done in a medival theme. The food has a distinct european/middle eastern flavor(weird, but it can be done), and the prices range widely depending on whether or not you are eating during your game(dolled up trail rations, cheese, and weak beer- the last is to ensure we don't get drunk people gaming), or with friends on a night on the town(lots of skewered meats and veggies, gyros/falafels, stews/soups, and mysteriously spiced potatoes, and real ale), or even *gulp* on a DATE(MUCH better booze[wine, and some of my beloved mead], contemporary fare). The servers(though NOT all the staff) are comely wenches lifted shamelessly from the ren faire circuit's off-season, and music- both live and piped in- is available. Once every other Tuesday, the gaming area(which would be located upstairs, naturally) closes early to make room for an actual DJ so people can hold real throwdown theme parties.
In terms of the game store itself, it would be on the main floor, separated from the eatery in much the same fashion as the gewgaws and souveniers are at Cracker Barrel. I wouldn't have long rows of books available for purchase- just three copies available for browsing, and some non-cosplayed out staff to go get copies for purchase from the back. The extra space will go to displaying weird dice, card displays for CCGs(*sigh*) and just in general weird stuff, perhaps from local artists. Also, the rooms upstairs for gaming would be rentable by the hour or session, mildly soundproofed, and there would be a general area up there for DDR/Guitar Hero/Rock Band, Neo-Geo(CAPCOM SUX[except for the D&D sidescrollers, which would be there in a place of honor]!!!!!), etc.
Long story short, it would take a herculian effort and Mr. Burns level capital to even get it off the ground, much less make it work. But if it did...if it did...
{EDIT} The serving wenches are to be BUXOM!
While great in concept, you've got so much going on there that you might as well throw in a full arcade, video game store, LAN setup, costume shop, etc.
Also, the employees would probably come to resent having to go into the back to grab a sales copy EVERY time a customer bought something, and unless you're willing to pay for multiple employees on the sales floor at all times, it makes the shop ripe for shoplifting.
The Serving Wench idea also puts you on shaky ground in regards to sexism in the workplace, and just think how serving wenches are treated by characters in fantasy. You'd probably get a high turnover rate.
Your biggest challenge with something like this though would be having the capital to even get the thing started. I've wanted to start a sub-culture store (clothing, music, books, skate decks and accessories, and at least a little nod to the nerds with some RPG and comic stuff) that wasn't just a little hole in the wall, but it would take me a long time to build up enough capital to even get the down payment on a loan big enough to start the damn thing, let alone having any kind of collateral.
While great in concept, you've got so much going on there that you might as well throw in a full arcade, video game store, LAN setup, costume shop, etc.
Also, the employees would probably come to resent having to go into the back to grab a sales copy EVERY time a customer bought something, and unless you're willing to pay for multiple employees on the sales floor at all times, it makes the shop ripe for shoplifting.
The Serving Wench idea also puts you on shaky ground in regards to sexism in the workplace, and just think how serving wenches are treated by characters in fantasy. You'd probably get a high turnover rate.
Your biggest challenge with something like this though would be having the capital to even get the thing started. I've wanted to start a sub-culture store (clothing, music, books, skate decks and accessories, and at least a little nod to the nerds with some RPG and comic stuff) that wasn't just a little hole in the wall, but it would take me a long time to build up enough capital to even get the down payment on a loan big enough to start the damn thing, let alone having any kind of collateral.
Thanks so much for your thoughts. You raise a good point with the fact that there would a LOT going on, but I don't know if I would go whole-hog in terms of a FULL arcade/video game store, etc. Actually scratch that- I'd probably go full with the arcade, but nothing else.
Shoplifting is an issue, but I think Cracker Barrel does a good job with it in terms of where they place their employees, at least the one I visited did. Still, you raise an excellent point- I'd need a large, dedicated staff.
Sexual harrassment? At MY store? heh..he.. Okay, I'd have to rethink that part. I'd get some serving dudes in there as well, and some thugged out half orc or klingon security to break some knees in case things get ugly. Then again, that might be a cause of more things getting ugly than a deterrent...maybe I should scrap that part and just have normal staff. Maybe.
And I know fully that I'd need to win the lottery in order to pull this off. It's my specific dream every time I pick up a mega millions ticket(powerball coming to NY soon!!!!).
Sexual harrassment? looks around and chuckles nervously At MY store? heh..he.. Okay, I'd have to rethink that part. I'd get some serving dudes in there as well, and some thugged out half orc or klingon security to break some knees in case things get ugly. Then again, that might be a cause of more things getting ugly than a deterrent...maybe I should scrap that part and just have normal staff. Maybe.
Well, since you're gonna have the club, you're gonna need bouncers anyway.
Sexual harrassment? looks around and chuckles nervously At MY store? heh..he.. Okay, I'd have to rethink that part. I'd get some serving dudes in there as well, and some thugged out half orc or klingon security to break some knees in case things get ugly. Then again, that might be a cause of more things getting ugly than a deterrent...maybe I should scrap that part and just have normal staff. Maybe.Well, since you're gonna have the club, you're gonna need bouncers anyway.
Well..more restaurant than club, but I get your meaning.
Well..more restaurant than club, but I get your meaning.Sexual harrassment? looks around and chuckles nervously At MY store? heh..he.. Okay, I'd have to rethink that part. I'd get some serving dudes in there as well, and some thugged out half orc or klingon security to break some knees in case things get ugly. Then again, that might be a cause of more things getting ugly than a deterrent...maybe I should scrap that part and just have normal staff. Maybe.Well, since you're gonna have the club, you're gonna need bouncers anyway.
The Tuesday night DJ thing doesn't sound like a restaurant to me. Sounds like a club.
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Actually, my fiance and I have had a dream for a while to be able to run our own business, specifically a gaming store. Well, technically it would be a tea house-cafe/gaming store.
We've envisioned it as looking, from the outside, as two separate stores with eerily similar names. One of those would be a cafe style tea house (Of course with tea, coffee, cafe sandwiches, deserts, etc.). Effectively we want to run that side enough that people who aren't even remotely interested in gaming would want to go there. While there wouldn't be a huge opening between the two, we would want to have a doorway/arch that leads into the other store.
In the second half would be a pretty normal gaming store, trying to have lots of area for people to play games and socialize. There of course, would be merchandise and a good theme (which might fit with the tea house actually). The key in our eyes is that the gamers would be buying food/drink from the teahouse, which would essentially keep the gaming store portion going.
Anyone know the GA lottery numbers for this week so I can start it up ASAP...? :P
The Tuesday night DJ thing doesn't sound like a restaurant to me. Sounds like a club.Well..more restaurant than club, but I get your meaning.Sexual harrassment? looks around and chuckles nervously At MY store? heh..he.. Okay, I'd have to rethink that part. I'd get some serving dudes in there as well, and some thugged out half orc or klingon security to break some knees in case things get ugly. Then again, that might be a cause of more things getting ugly than a deterrent...maybe I should scrap that part and just have normal staff. Maybe.Well, since you're gonna have the club, you're gonna need bouncers anyway.
Really? There are several places around my way that do that...but I'm in NY so weird things tend to rule the day.
Actually, my fiance and I have had a dream for a while to be able to run our own business, specifically a gaming store. Well, technically it would be a tea house-cafe/gaming store.
We've envisioned it as looking, from the outside, as two separate stores with eerily similar names. One of those would be a cafe style tea house (Of course with tea, coffee, cafe sandwiches, deserts, etc.). Effectively we want to run that side enough that people who aren't even remotely interested in gaming would want to go there. While there wouldn't be a huge opening between the two, we would want to have a doorway/arch that leads into the other store.
In the second half would be a pretty normal gaming store, trying to have lots of area for people to play games and socialize. There of course, would be merchandise and a good theme (which might fit with the tea house actually). The key in our eyes is that the gamers would be buying food/drink from the teahouse, which would essentially keep the gaming store portion going.
Anyone know the GA lottery numbers for this week so I can start it up ASAP...? :P
Gaaah! Your idea is better than mine! Noooooooo
Actually I'd love to go there. Nothing like tea during a game to get the natural 20's rolling.