BouseFeenux
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I've been a YouTube content creator for 4 years, and while some people make it seem like the best thing on earth (which it can be for the right people), it was taking a serious mental toll on me. I didn't see a future in sticking with YouTube, and I was seriously unhappy, I had lost a lot of my self-confidence, and I was becoming pretty jaded towards people.
I hit a breaking point last year around October and decided that I was gonna get off my ass and do something that I really wanted to do. I have a huge love for all things Table Top and I wanted to share that love by opening this store, and man, here in the cornfields of Southwestern Illinois, we needed one. There isn't another store in about a 50 mile radius.
So after about 6 months of setbacks and failures, I finally have a building, and product on the shelves. I'm still waiting on a few other things before I open, but at this point I can't even believe its happening. I owe everything to my Grandpa, my dad and stepdad, and my amazing fiance. I've got a long way to go and a lot to learn but man, there's nothing better than the feeling of actually wanting to wake up every morning. For the first time in a long time I feel like I have a purpose and clear-cut goals.
I know this is a super risky endeavor. Most businesses don't even survive their first year statistically, much less a FLGS (friendly local game store), but I had to at least try. Anyway, I usually stick to lurking, but I'm super excited about this place and I wanted to share a little bit of my story with anyone who would take the time to read. Lastly, if life is kicking your ass, just keep trucking, its hard, but you might just find something that makes it all worth it.
*Edit
Holy crap, front page! I'm trying to respond to all the awesome comments but its like trying to hold back flood gates. You guys are the best, thank you for the kind words!
Some of you are offering financial support, please don't worry about that. I'm fortunate enough to be in decent financial standings. If you really want to help, teach a friend your favorite board game!
Also, a lot of people are asking where the shop is, here's the facebook page with my location and all that jazz: https://www.facebook.com/TheWizardsNook/
Lastly, a lot of you had some really good advice for events/community outreach and that sort of thing, I take a lot of that stuff to heart and its inspiring to think about all the things I can do with the store and my community as I grow. If you're ever in Southern Illinois, stop by and say hey!
Senpaidonttouchmethere
Best of luck to ya m8, hope it works out for you.
boxrox
Do you guys sell battletoads?
Larirari
Lots and lots of air deodorizors if you have play space
EVERYTHINGFUCKINGZEUS
Having been to things like that in places like that: How offensive that you say that, but unfortunately how true it is trumps the offense.+1
Larirari
I wish it weren't true :( used to buy wow tcg cards at a shop and they had a play space... it reeked.
SaltyCroissant
Hey! I actually remember your youtube channel, youre For Honor videos really helped me git gud and I think u & schmolty are funny af
SaltyCroissant
Good luck with the shop man! I really hope it works out for you!
BouseFeenux
Thanks dude!
GodofGodzilla
Sell Gatorade aswell, you gotta keep the nerds hydrated
BouseFeenux
Haha yea, Gatorade and water. If only for my own sake. I'd drink soda all day because it'd be available and I have no self-control :D
z3lfmoord
Sell Jones Soda.
ZeroIsPlural
I love my local game store specifically because I'm not super knowedgable about games, and I'm a girl. 99% of the game store employees I1/2
ZeroIsPlural
I have met have talked down to me, patronized me when I asked questions, and were generally assholes. These guys don't. Invest in your2/3
ZeroIsPlural
Customer base and build up some regulars. Do this by being a nice guy and hiring other nice guys. Good luck my friend!!!
TheCloney
Biggest thing, make sure customer service is on point, treat everyone equal and don't just pay attention to friends who hang out. It seems 1
TheCloney
common sense, but local store here is run by friends of my BIL and the chick is horrible at customer service. Last time I went she was 2/
TheCloney
surrounded by people she knew and sitting behind the counter, didnt bother standing up and engaging me, and made a crack about how I 3/
TheCloney
hadn't been in for awhile......I havent been back since, and go out of my way not to buy stuff there. Just treat everyone equally. 4/4
imonlyheretosayterriblethingsandlaugh
Support niche games other stores don’t. HOST and run dnd/heroscape/shadowrun. Have anime/movie nights. Create a community.
gzcomics
As a game store owner, do not do any of these.
ZombieSteve
All good ideas. Also consider accessories @OP. Dice, dice towers, baggies, card boxes, grid mats / paper / markers / pens, card 1/?
ZombieSteve
holders, containers, trays, etc. Then maybe see if there is interest in comics / collectibles for future expansion ideas. 2/2
ThisIsJustMySecondNSFWAccountMoveAlongOrPMmeIDontCare
There are so many avenues for growth. Look into them all, fresh deck tournaments, board game day, hook up with local bars to get exposure
washout
So many game stores don't realise that you live and die by advertising and tournaments. If you are not getting walk in sales you are losing.
soundslikeTim
Sell coffee and have byob games nights for $5 per person! That’s what we do in here Hoboken night!
BouseFeenux
There's a local coffee shop in my town that roasts their own beans. I'd like to work with them. That BYOG thing sounds like an awesome idea
Elonth
@op i had a friend whos shop just went under. My recommendation from him. Advertise advertise advertise. Hope there isn't another MTG store
Alvatore
OP's is the only one for 50 miles.
Binerexis
Still need to advertise; the location is useless if people don't know it's there
Wolfshead009
Incorrect. There are at least three game stores within 50 miles of the store. Going to be rough.
iojvan
Put some more details on walls.... good luck
BouseFeenux
Yea, I haven't gotten any promo stuff to put up yet. still working on that
TheNotSoGreatDepression
Keep the overhead low and the community interest high. If you can accomplish those two things, you'll be fine.
Toast215
Make money and don’t spend it, wow solid business advice!
EnglishPolice
Maybe you can have local artists paint board game-inspired art all over the store to really improve the vibe.
EnglishPolice
Like murals.
ThatMeantSomethingDifferentInTheNavy
Good luck! Sounds like you're really rolling the dice here.
SaintCody
HHHHHHHUUUURDY HURDY HURRR
Spydercyde
For that joke to hit, I’m gonna need you to roll a d20 for comedy.
Salpinus
Hm, he might have an ace up his sleeve tho!
BouseFeenux
The puns man, I'm not ready for that ;_;
MatrimBloodyCauthon
Blood and bloody ashes.
gamerdrew
Game store owner here. Good luck. Not gonna make you rich probably, but is very rewarding. Remember: It's a business, not a clubhouse.
mikekearn
FLGS are either the best places ever, or the worst. So long as you remember to be friendly to everyone, even noobs, you should be okay!
matti55
Hopefully you get a local fan base. I pay more at my local store but go because the person who runs it likes what he sells and chats aboutit
womenglowandmenchunder
Neckbeards talking about tits.... As if lol jks
BouseFeenux
Thanks man! I hope to be that for people
malfunctionbeep
I like magic the Gathering
Stabbadabbadoo
We've had three shops in my city and let me echo this - The ones that survives are the ones where we feel welcome. We can get the product 1/
Stabbadabbadoo
/2 online, but we can't get the atmosphere off of Amazon.
malfunctionbeep
Local stores are nice places to hang out with great atmosphere
scooterific
I feel the same way but about the guy who sells me weed
matti55
Best of luck bro
AtomBaBombBaby
Run children's and teens rpgs. You could help teach them and help them find friends with similar interests ????
AtomBaBombBaby
Good luck!! And I just gave you a five star review even though I'm across the world because I believe in you!
Sindji
If u need to set up a website feel free to reach out at info@udmsoft.com
DanteJCross
Get a big tv and play critical role on it, nerds love that! Also congrats dude!
Nyuck
Make sure you build a community and run lots of events catered to it. Keeping it active and engaged will help you keep the store going.
EnigmaThatIsObscure
My best friend owns the FLGS. 5 years and still going!
lostininterwebz
I clicked the links thinking..alright he is prob in New York or something..but your from Illinois, hello fellow Illinoian! @OP
lostininterwebz
I’m from the Windy City but your shop looks super nice! Wish I could come and visit easily :/
MarysueUltrabittch
Didn't see atmosfear. You needs it
TCGView
I wanted to open a game store. Unfortunately, there are already 3 local ones in my small city. Get a glass-door fridge and sell cold drinks.
1point21gigawatm8
and don't skimp on lighting and atmosphere.
BrendaSnooze
burn them down ;-)
sharkba1t
their already full of plastic and cardboard so they will burn real easy!
SushiFishDoll
Where do I support this! I like when people do things they want :) I am not local but I love this!
BouseFeenux
The kind words are more than enough! Thank you though <3
sushidave
awesome! A few advice from things. Employees are never friends, they are employees, but treat with respect and mentor...
sushidave
Always pay your quarterly taxes. Pay yourself. Build your brand and customers will be loyal... otherwise Amazon and Walmart are there...
sushidave
Chase out all phone book, coupon book and local press website advertising... they will come at you like wolves. Gorilla marketing is...
sushidave
Key to cash flow. Never confuse gross sales with net, net profit. Always be positive, it is infectious to customers. Stay away ...
sushidave
From partnerships or investors if you can help it, you will be limited. Good luck, you look happy and optimistic. You will do great!
gsmdo
You had become jaded about people - so you went into *retail*?
DoglessProps
I hate retail. But working in a games store / hobby shop for 2 years was amazing. Didn't feel like work most of the time.
BYERE
There's quite a difference in working for a faceless corporation, and being your own boss in a job you love, even if it's retail.
BYERE
Plus, different type of customer to the shitheads who look down their nose at you like in grocery stores and the like.
CatsandDnD
I've been giving phone & email support for some years, and man there's some proper assholes out there. It's as if being on the phone 1/
CatsandDnD
gives them some special right to be the worst ppl. One just said that me being in cs means he didn't have to treat me like a human being, 2/
CatsandDnD
that I should do exactly what he says (fuck our company rules) and at the end of the call just full on screamed at me. 3/3
storebrandproductmascot
Not just retail, but the type of retail where half of your customers are turbo-nerd fedora dudes.
IncorrektGramerNazi
m'lady *tips fedora*
Dokramuh
Is turbo-nerd fedora worse than entitled soccer mom though?
storebrandproductmascot
Yes because soccer mom has to pick up her kids from practice and won't hang around the store all day trying to talk to you.
ChiewParkAhbra
This insult went out in the 1980's. A good portion of those nerds helped structure the early servers that developed the modern internet.
storebrandproductmascot
http://time.com/20074/player-exposes-magic-the-gathering-for-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/
NotHardly
LOL... that was precious, thanks
cyno01
Have you ever hung out at a game or comic shop for any length of time? Those types absolutely still exist.
ChiewParkAhbra
I have been trying to learn to airbrush, paint and sculpt in miniature for some time now. I use a large amount of online tutorials, however
ChiewParkAhbra
those most helpful to my art have been the locals at Good Games in Hobart. I don't know about magic but those working on or playing with
verbatimshanks
We have a very successful store here, they sell snacks and energy drinks they hold tournaments for magic and 40k and tables for use
TRDirty
Sounds like my store in CA
stukajr
Best with your business! In agreement - Beverage and food items are a good draw for those just looking to chit-chat.
Karlkingofduckss
This op, used to drive 40 min to the nearest store and besides the entrance fee for tournaments I spent most of my money on food and drinks
MedMonkey
Social media the fuck out of your business!!!
HD2composer
This
FourWindBadger
Sounds really fun!
awakeallnight
Selling snacks seems key. Our LGS has plenty of people that bring their own game/cards, play for 5-6 hours and then leave.
SmoothSaline
Our local equivalent is also something of a hub for warhammer in my area. @OP maybe gauge the interest for something like that?
SuperSelfie
Magic booster drafts are always a good way to bring people in. Settlers of Catan is super fun too
seije
run events every chance you can get. game shops are a great place for people to come and play, but unless they spend money, it doesn't 1/?
seije
help you. selling snacks and energy drinks is a good idea too, anything to help get cash in the till. tournaments with entry fees and 2/?
seije
prize support are great, but be willing to do crazy stuff every now and then like lock-ins or game-and-movie nights. I used to work at a 3/?
seije
comic shop that barely kept its head above water. owners didn't really understand our customer base, and kept picking up crap that would 4/?
seije
sit around forever, and it was really only through dedicated regulars and gaming events that we kept the doors open. I guess what i'm 5/?
photog
I've noticed most of these places is not about making a profit on all games. Mostly offering space to play and selling new packs.
RockmanModelZ
I can smell it.
GameModeB
Aldershot?
Crimpwithyourthumb
I enjoyed magic, but i stopped after I realized it was more about how much money a player spends
verbatimshanks
It can be expensive, draft decks are more fun
BouseFeenux
Yea! Im really looking forward to hosting DnD Adventure League events and I have a huge area in the back for 40k. I'll be doing FNM as well
iCurse
HMU if I can help you out with a professional website
IamNotAnAlien
get a bit of an online presence even if it’s just on ebay. might get some small revenue there
sharkba1t
even just use ebay for marketing. Think of it as a loss leader. Tack on expensive postage to the retail price to encourage 1/2
sharkba1t
walk in's and state anything you do "special/different" like leagues/events in your listings 2/2
Wraithglow
As a gamer, please have some ventilation and fans when hosting large games. Really anything to aleviate the smell...
iusetangerines
Have date night! The LGS we go to in northern MI has one. My fiancé plays mtg & 40k. I don’t but I love other games. Good luck, have fun!
KharnTheAngry
40k is amazing, but its still a pretty huge investment. I have a Local game store who does this and he says its a LOT of money. Werf tho
MedMonkey
Do you have an online presence?
ShamanOfHigh
Was going to check in comments about table space. Seems basically necessary. Source; participated in D&D at 2 successful games stores w/ it.
ClydeTheBelovedBandit
Consider opening like a café or something where u can borrow boardgames, was at a bar in France that did this, it was always filled.
SnowMeowPlush
Store charges 5$ a head for DnD encounters, DM's get it in store credit. People will pay, stores biggest money maker. 70+ people a night.
IsuckAsthis
I go to a Meetup.com group where we meet at a game shop every Saturday to play with each other, might be an idea for you.
Dyeriuss
My local stores adventure league bombed so they started doing “the home brew experiment” basiclly it’s like a home dnd game. Super Lax
Alysaere
It's free and not too hard to be registered as a Pokemon Professor to get free merch from the Pokemon Company to do weekly PTCG nights.
Alysaere
Other popular TCGs are L5R, YuGiOh, and Cardfight Vanguard. X-Wing is popular. Magic has loads of formats, and "Board Game Night" is good.
Tyrael918
That makes me moister than an oyster. I remember a shop like that several years ago. It was wonderful.
That0neSummoner
One of the game shops in my area sells deodorant and a Tylenol (and other pharmacy type stuff) good for a laugh. Or sweaty nerds.
ChekovTheChemist
Yu-Gi-Oh is also quite popular for tornaments
cancerriddenlung
The shop here is 10% comics and 10% figurines and 80% table top. They eventually got successful enough to start an annual comiccon. IIRC
cancerriddenlung
they had 50k attendees at the commiccon this year.
Steelhart
FNM is SUPER popular in our little shop. Brings people from all around the county.
mrlemonofbanana
I remember when we swapped shops for Pathfinder Society and they had FNM at the same time. Second time we ran PFS, there were only (1/?)
mrlemonofbanana
like 5 Magic players, including the store owner, and we asked if they wanted to skip FNM and join up. They did so regularly after that (2/2)
IFavoriteRecipesToTryLater
tip from my local store start a little forum for people who play at your store to use who are looking for a match to set up
IFavoriteRecipesToTryLater
ooh and also dont just limit to 40K some people like bolt action or flames of war or saga etc. be open to it and ready to place orders.
IFavoriteRecipesToTryLater
in case a large enough presence for any of those games shows up to where you can make a profit by having it in stock
Etrill611
This. Offering a place to play (w/amenities) is great. Esp. In a small town
BouseFeenux
Yep, soda machine and snacks are getting delivered next week! We have a local soda company down the road and I'll be working with them
Nordalin
I'm not exactly from Illinois so I don't know their habits, but don't forget hot beverages like coffee!
KibblesandBitchTits
Idk if you can but try and get food trucks to come and hang out in front of the store!
SeriousSarcastic
Do you get profits from the soda machine? If not, stocking your own refrigerator might be a good option? Every little bit helps
SeriousSarcastic
I was thinking you meant Vending Machine, so you mean a sofa fountain? Cos that’s a great idea
BouseFeenux
Yea, margins on soda aren't super great, but its a low cost product anyway. Regardless its good for the store and the customers!