Doing my pilgrimage to Dragon’s Lair in Austin, but it’s a little disappointing. They have scaled back their inventory quite a bit. There are far fewer hobby board games (replaced by lots of Monopoly and kids games) and an anemic RPG section. There isn’t even much D&D and Pathfinder.
Doing my pilgrimage to Dragon’s Lair in Austin, but it’s a little disappointing.
Doing my pilgrimage to Dragon’s Lair in Austin, but it’s a little disappointing.
Is there a “-1” button on g+?
Is there a “-1” button on g+?
I suppose they are responding to the market, and it appears the market wants Magic cards, war gaming accessories and a bunch of tacky shit you might use for your cosplay.
I suppose they are responding to the market, and it appears the market wants Magic cards, war gaming accessories and a bunch of tacky shit you might use for your cosplay.
I’ve noticed over the years that brick and mortar stores get worse inventory wise as time goes on. I don’t know if it’s a case of the store making more money with other stuff, or if my collection and broad knowledge of the gaming world makes their collections seem paltry. Maybe it’s ALWAYS been this way. Maybe only now I can recognize it as such.
I’ve noticed over the years that brick and mortar stores get worse inventory wise as time goes on. I don’t know if it’s a case of the store making more money with other stuff, or if my collection and broad knowledge of the gaming world makes their collections seem paltry. Maybe it’s ALWAYS been this way. Maybe only now I can recognize it as such.
Madness Games in Plano and Mad Hatters in Lubbock still manage to keep the kinds of games I’m interested in on the shelves even though most of their revenue is generated through MTG. I would be very sad if they underwent something like it sounds happened to Dragon Lair
Madness Games in Plano and Mad Hatters in Lubbock still manage to keep the kinds of games I’m interested in on the shelves even though most of their revenue is generated through MTG. I would be very sad if they underwent something like it sounds happened to Dragon Lair
Damn, I somewhat remember the Austin DL…the San Antonio DL saw lots of gaming for me between 2005 and 2011 (save two years I was in Uvalde). They actually let me do a book signing there once.
Damn, I somewhat remember the Austin DL…the San Antonio DL saw lots of gaming for me between 2005 and 2011 (save two years I was in Uvalde). They actually let me do a book signing there once.
I thought the same thing when I first saw the new location. Then I did some math in my head (old location had three shelves of RPGs and X number of board games), and realized that the size of the product didn’t change by much.
It’s just that the store is just so huge–it seems to dwarf everything.
I thought the same thing when I first saw the new location. Then I did some math in my head (old location had three shelves of RPGs and X number of board games), and realized that the size of the product didn’t change by much.
It’s just that the store is just so huge–it seems to dwarf everything.
It also put our part of the hobby into perspective.
It also put our part of the hobby into perspective.
steven watkins I lived in Austin for a year or so after the move, and I remember a lot more product (also, the men’s room has a bunch of empty shelves being stored in it now).
steven watkins I lived in Austin for a year or so after the move, and I remember a lot more product (also, the men’s room has a bunch of empty shelves being stored in it now).
Or, I should say, Rich lived there and I visited a lot.
Or, I should say, Rich lived there and I visited a lot.
Hm, curious, do you know a Kade Green?
Hm, curious, do you know a Kade Green?
Luke Green Sounds familiar. How might I know him?
Luke Green Sounds familiar. How might I know him?
He’s lived in Austin since early 90s and Dragon’s Lair is his store of choice for games I believe (he’s the one that used to take us younger siblings when we couldn’t drive ourselvses)… Tall-ish (6′), dark hair, currently wears a lot of sleevless t-shirts, teaches tai-chi, ex-marine.
He’s lived in Austin since early 90s and Dragon’s Lair is his store of choice for games I believe (he’s the one that used to take us younger siblings when we couldn’t drive ourselvses)… Tall-ish (6′), dark hair, currently wears a lot of sleevless t-shirts, teaches tai-chi, ex-marine.
I think the basic problem is the online retailers undercut pricing a lot. Fantasy Flight Games has recently taken steps in their pricing models to stop this, but geeks are cheap and want the best deal. However they also want a place to play- which is what stores provide. But I think a lot of stores don’t have the model, foresight, or staff to build this community atmosphere.
I think the basic problem is the online retailers undercut pricing a lot. Fantasy Flight Games has recently taken steps in their pricing models to stop this, but geeks are cheap and want the best deal. However they also want a place to play- which is what stores provide. But I think a lot of stores don’t have the model, foresight, or staff to build this community atmosphere.
They have definitely shifted from and gaming store to more of a pop culture store.
They have definitely shifted from and gaming store to more of a pop culture store.
“… online retailers undercut pricing a lot…” That’s true, Warren Denning. But this has been going on for nearly two decades now. So it makes me wonder how some stores have figured it out and some haven’t. I mean, it seems like the model is to a) have a very well curated inventory, and b) sponsor enough events to create impulse buys. Get gamers in the store and they will blow their money on something they either didn’t need/want or on something they don’t have the patience to wait 1-3 days for. It’s probably a lot more complex than that. I guess my point is that reasoning never makes me feel sympathy for a game store anymore.
“… online retailers undercut pricing a lot…” That’s true, Warren Denning. But this has been going on for nearly two decades now. So it makes me wonder how some stores have figured it out and some haven’t. I mean, it seems like the model is to a) have a very well curated inventory, and b) sponsor enough events to create impulse buys. Get gamers in the store and they will blow their money on something they either didn’t need/want or on something they don’t have the patience to wait 1-3 days for. It’s probably a lot more complex than that. I guess my point is that reasoning never makes me feel sympathy for a game store anymore.
Oh. Good service! I could go on for days about that, and how few game stores understand what that means.
Oh. Good service! I could go on for days about that, and how few game stores understand what that means.
There’s a model that doesn’t exist yet that we might see as tech and process gets cheaper and more efficient (more specifically paper and ink)
Have a store that has printing and binding equipment in a back room with a handful of Pre-printed popular books in the front and a list of books they’re licensed to print and sell. Throw in 3D printing and you can include board games and minis as well. It’s definitely a twenty minutes in the future model though. Currently PoD is too expensive to pull this off. I use that model for the book stores in my Divine Blood setting.
There’s a model that doesn’t exist yet that we might see as tech and process gets cheaper and more efficient (more specifically paper and ink)
Have a store that has printing and binding equipment in a back room with a handful of Pre-printed popular books in the front and a list of books they’re licensed to print and sell. Throw in 3D printing and you can include board games and minis as well. It’s definitely a twenty minutes in the future model though. Currently PoD is too expensive to pull this off. I use that model for the book stores in my Divine Blood setting.
Luke Green I did a lot of gaming at DLair from 2008-2013, so there is a good chance we ran into each other.
Luke Green I did a lot of gaming at DLair from 2008-2013, so there is a good chance we ran into each other.
Another option Ray Otus, which has served many establishments well, is a) Charging an entry fee to use the facilities [though many people would stay home] or b) Sell food and snacks that we all will need after 6hrs of gaming [Dave and Buster took this to the extreme].
Another option Ray Otus, which has served many establishments well, is a) Charging an entry fee to use the facilities [though many people would stay home] or b) Sell food and snacks that we all will need after 6hrs of gaming [Dave and Buster took this to the extreme].
For a long time Hong Kong had one (1) shop that sold any RPG stuff – mainly supplements (and no core books) for D&D and V:tM. In retrospect its biggest problem was having a physical store.
Since they closed down about 3 years ago and went online ordering only, the inventory got much better. In the meantime, HK has grown lots of gaming cafes and everyone seems happier.
For a long time Hong Kong had one (1) shop that sold any RPG stuff – mainly supplements (and no core books) for D&D and V:tM. In retrospect its biggest problem was having a physical store.
Since they closed down about 3 years ago and went online ordering only, the inventory got much better. In the meantime, HK has grown lots of gaming cafes and everyone seems happier.
I keep rolling around this idea of a “gaming community center.” Sorta like a gym, or an old timey gentlemen’s club. Have a half dozen private game rooms, with good tables and projectors and whiteboards and a crapton of minis in each. Have a library of board games. A bullpen area for more casual gaming. A cafe, beer & wine, maybe even concierge service for ordering delivery. Folks schedule the private rooms in advance the way you reserve a racquetball court. There’s an events planner, and maybe even “premium” GMs who get paid to run regular games. Bring in big names in the industry for events. Have on site day care and an orphans lounge. Regular classes or drop-in sessions for mini painting and cosplay crafting. Hell, find the right spot and have an activity room for martial arts classes, boffer fights, SCA events, etc.
You make money from memberships, and the cafe, and premium events. Merchandise is an afterthought.
I keep rolling around this idea of a “gaming community center.” Sorta like a gym, or an old timey gentlemen’s club. Have a half dozen private game rooms, with good tables and projectors and whiteboards and a crapton of minis in each. Have a library of board games. A bullpen area for more casual gaming. A cafe, beer & wine, maybe even concierge service for ordering delivery. Folks schedule the private rooms in advance the way you reserve a racquetball court. There’s an events planner, and maybe even “premium” GMs who get paid to run regular games. Bring in big names in the industry for events. Have on site day care and an orphans lounge. Regular classes or drop-in sessions for mini painting and cosplay crafting. Hell, find the right spot and have an activity room for martial arts classes, boffer fights, SCA events, etc.
You make money from memberships, and the cafe, and premium events. Merchandise is an afterthought.
I want one of those membership cards!
I want one of those membership cards!
I have wished I could also set up a gaming facility with snacks and rooms to reserve a library of gaming books or materials to borrow. The option of hiring a GM for special events (I have no problem with the idea of a GM paid to run something like a birthday event). Allow books to be taken off-site for a fee a la ye olde movie rental. Maybe have membership cards that give reduction in fee costs. Likely male most of the money on snacks. Maybe work out a deal with a local delivery place.
I have wished I could also set up a gaming facility with snacks and rooms to reserve a library of gaming books or materials to borrow. The option of hiring a GM for special events (I have no problem with the idea of a GM paid to run something like a birthday event). Allow books to be taken off-site for a fee a la ye olde movie rental. Maybe have membership cards that give reduction in fee costs. Likely male most of the money on snacks. Maybe work out a deal with a local delivery place.
There’s something like that in Frederick, MD. They’re pretty insular, though. You can only join if you’ve visited before, and you can only visit if you are brought as a guest of a member, and members only get two guests per year.
There’s something like that in Frederick, MD. They’re pretty insular, though. You can only join if you’ve visited before, and you can only visit if you are brought as a guest of a member, and members only get two guests per year.
River Williamson seriously? Happen to know the name of it? Or have a website?
I can see that working if really is just like a private club, not actually meant to make money. I can’t imagine how such an insular approach would generate enough revenue to actually cover costs (or, like, pay a living wage).
And maybe more importantly, I’m picturing more of a place that would actually grow and energize a local community.
River Williamson seriously? Happen to know the name of it? Or have a website?
I can see that working if really is just like a private club, not actually meant to make money. I can’t imagine how such an insular approach would generate enough revenue to actually cover costs (or, like, pay a living wage).
And maybe more importantly, I’m picturing more of a place that would actually grow and energize a local community.
River Williamson This is totally news to me. My wife and I recently started kicking around the idea of opening a games shop/lounge in Laurel, but I’d definitely want to encourage community involvement as much as possible.
River Williamson This is totally news to me. My wife and I recently started kicking around the idea of opening a games shop/lounge in Laurel, but I’d definitely want to encourage community involvement as much as possible.
Apparently a lot of people have had the same idea. My wife and I discussed a similar thing. Half the shop would be a gaming store and the other half would be a food restaurant. Great minds…
Apparently a lot of people have had the same idea. My wife and I discussed a similar thing. Half the shop would be a gaming store and the other half would be a food restaurant. Great minds…
I don’t think they ever told me the name, Jeremy Strandberg and Sean Buchholz. I can ask around.
I don’t think they ever told me the name, Jeremy Strandberg and Sean Buchholz. I can ask around.