[DELPHEUS]

I'm making this thread to try and get some opinions and whatnot from the very group I hope to serve one day.

In other words, I want to run a store of my own, and I'm wondering what ya'll'd ask for in it. May not be serving ya'll especially but you're input would help me loads in the long run.

I've got a name for the place too, "Sanctum Insanum" which if I'm right, means Sanctuary for the Insane. Don't know if that's all that great of a name either.

Anyway, please, give me some ideas and stuff. It'd be greatly appreciated. ;D

[Nightwing]

terrain terrain terrain

[DELPHEUS]

Terrain? ??? Like, have a lot varieties and stuff?

[shas,o,kain]

warhammer 40k and soda. ;D

[Grindgobble Witherfume]

Snacks and drinks are a must, also varied terrain/tables is also key. Also, Stools are very good as well.

[shas,o,kain]

weekly tournaments??

[kradzz]

I think a great layout is all your marketing/commercial supplies and shelving in the front, but either a closed off room with a large window viewing in or an obstructed view of gaming tables for tabletops in the further back. This would give some privacy to any games currently playing, but any new prospective player can get a glimpse of what to expect, and it makes them take that step forward by entering the room and the hook can be set. Also one of the biggest bread-winners for our local shop is having 12 middle to high-end PC's loaded with games with the ability to rent by the hour or half hour, you would need to be able to quickly service and repair any hiccups though, or high someone who could do this for you. Active participation by the owner brings a closer, personal feel to the gaming community, and is a great way to hook a good dedicated gaming group that you can rely on. Owner-hosted and run campaigns with player imput is great and adds a feel of fairness and official quality to them. Setting up clans for games within the games on the computers can also bring a good reliable crowd in, especially the younger ones who want to be "a part" of something.
Depending upon your own skills or those you know and trust, setting up painting/modelling seminars are a great way to draw in new players or get personal with those who could be your future fanbase for your store. This could also extend to professionally-run training seminars for new players. When people purchase warhammer boxes from your store, have a card made up with all the information for your gaming nights with included times and such, so even if they are just stopping by it lets the word out about a dedicated gaming area. Once you get the store set up, the biggest thing around here is getting the name out. Our local one, gamers conclave, has a forums and website up that receives massive traffic and games/events are coordinated over the forums, and this increases interaction and bonds between your player base. Also, gamers has a very well planned out ad within our local paper and local tv station ( I don't know if you have these or if they are popular.) These are the only ideas that I can think of right off the back but I have tons, I always liked the idea of owning a store such as this.
If you are good modeler, terrain and a professional touch to the gaming tables greatly increases the opinion of any store, nothing like really feeling like its a battlefield you fight across.
Make sure you have plenty of food/drinks, and a public microwave is a great idea also.

[Grindgobble Witherfume]

Originally Posted by shas,o,kain

weekly tournaments??

Maybe, maybe not. Make sure to have a certain day per week dedicated to each game/game system. Tournaments are nice, but open gaming and having enough dedicated players must come first. What are you planning on selling, to afford the place?

[shas,o,kain]

keep unsupervised store kid supervised. ^-^

[ForbiddenKnowledge]

Originally Posted by shas,o,kain

keep unsupervised store kid supervised. ^-^

Frakking lols.

[hr]

You're gonna need a lot of money. Your first order with them is around a grands worth of stuff (mostly space marines and LOTR - not a reccomendation, you HAVE to have what they say in the first order).

Are you aiming for premisis? If not, Ebay is you friend, as you won't make enough otherwise.

With a good premisis, and gaming room, however, you are likely to do well, as word will get around, and people will come for the gaming.

Most importantly of all, you need a sink, kettle, and tea bags. Yes, its an expense for you, but my god, a good cuppa makes all the difference from a shop, to a great gaming club.