What does everyone want in an LGS?

[natedog08]

I had a close personal friend approach me recently with a proposition of opening an LGS, since there's pretty much a void here and I know the local gaming community much better than he does. I figured the best place to start would be to get opinions from potential market (you guys) as to what is wanted.

[th3on3songoku]

I think for a game store to survive you have to do more then ccg. magic should be a big focus. mini's for sure. you still have a few yu-gi-oh players. try and get some new games to keep people interested. comics if you can pull it off would be awesome. its hard to say where to put the lgs but i think somewheres around campus thats driveable for people in oak grove and wiggins. but also walkable for people on campus who don't want to drive there car and lose a parking spot.

[pr0b4bi1i7y]

The most important thing to do is to make the store sustainable. The worst thing that can happen to a game store is for it close. As much as people like to complain about how they can get things cheaper online, it doesn't matter how much you pay for them if there's no place to play.

I disagree with Ben about the location of the store. The location selection has to be based on the rent because if the rent is too high, the store is doomed from the beginning. Driving across town isn't a big deal for people who want to go to a game store because when it comes down to it, it is drive or don't game (and most people who are avid gamers are going to make the drive). If someone without a car wants to go to the store, they usually have a friend who has a car who's willing to pick them up (I know this because I've done it plenty of times).

I think the other thing that's important to a game store is for the owner to remember that it is a job and treat it like one. It is easy to show up and just hang out with the gamers in the store selling something here and there but it is much more difficult to continue coming up with ideas to improve the store.

Obviously, the store would want to run FNM and other MTG events. I don't think you have a chance in comics since most people who buy comics are pretty loyal to wherever they are currently getting them and a new comic store opened downtown recently. Warhammer and Warhammer 40K are good because there's a nice mark up on those products and for the most part the players will build tables and do whatever else is needed of them for them to play. There's no better way to get more people into Warhammer than for them to see others playing it and having fun. Yugioh is okay if you can get the players to play in events or buy product from you; otherwise, you don't want a bunch of people in your store who aren't spending money. Minis and other table top games are always good if you can find/create a player base for them.

[vanguardian]

I want to go ahead and add this to Chance's statement:
One thing that Israel said he would like to get into is Pokemon because the stuff sells like crazy. Kids come in and just want to buy all the Pokemon stuff. I've personally witnessed a store that had NO Pokemon stuff for sale because they were just wiped out. Israel put it in terms of Magic:
"They come in and they want the boosters. If you are out boosters they want the pre-con decks. If you are out of pre-cons they will buy the fat-packs. If you are out of the fat packs they'll buy the deck-builders toolkit."
So Pokemon is a big deal and a must. Plus Pokemon and Yu-gi-oh are gateways to Magic, and more Magic players is always a bonus, right?

[natedog08]

thanks for the input, guys. i'm still working out particulars with him, and it's not going to be for a while if it actually happens, but if y'all have any more input in the meantime, it'll be greatly appreciated.