Gamers, I need your input! - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Gamers, I need your input!

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
kodiak3d
Jul 18, 2010 20:04:41
Calling all gamers...

A friend and I are exploring the possibility of opening a "gamer's cafe" in our area. Essentially, it would have a small storefront carrying a few common items (D&D, Pathfinder, Warhammer, Reaper minis, etc), a gaming area with sufficient space for 4 or so tabletop games, another 2 or 3 miniature wargaming tables, and a cafe/hangout area with a TV/DVD and a small concession bar for burgers, hot dogs, popcorn, coffee, sodas, etc.

As gamers, I wanted to see what YOU would want out of a business like this. If there were a place like this in your area, would you visit it? Which should be bigger: the gaming area or the hangout area? What other things would you like to see in a place like this?
#2
ourequiem
Jul 18, 2010 21:37:06 The gaming area should be bigger than the hangout area, but I think combining both would be the most efficient. I would definitely go to a place like that, and I think it would work out better if you had a "Friday Night Gaming" event where you allow people to stay later to game. Maybe even some VG consoles for the TV.

EDIT:
You may want to make it a bit like this place: www.sourcecomicsandgames.com/
It's way more comic shop then caf`e, they do serve food, but it may help with ideas.
#3
MechaPilot
Jul 18, 2010 22:01:01 Gaming and other hobby related businesses generally don't make a great deal of money. If you are willing to do a lot of work for a relatively low income (when compared with other businesses), and the satisfaction of owning/operating the store, then you may do well. If the satisfaction is not as important to you as the income then you might want to consider a different business.
#4
scypio
Jul 19, 2010 10:29:25 The store that I used to play Magic tried that. They put a bunch of computers in the front with the store part. They sold the normal card games and RPGs and some snacks. They had two rooms in the back. One smaller room which primarily consists of a large TV and consoles. There was another larger room which had a bunch of tables for gaming.

They hosted Magic events along with other stuff (I'm not sure what since I only went for Magic) like Yu-gi-oh, DnD games, Guitar Hero tournaments, etc. In the front, there were typically a few people playing WoW or a FPS.

I think they made most their money through the Magic stuff since stuff like release tournaments would draw big crowds and many people would buy boxes of cards.

So I think having "official" tournaments would draw players and they'll buy their merchandise while they're there. I think most of the places I bought Magic from the past, I found by searching for places to play tournaments. I imagine the food (the place I went to was only snacks, but I imagine real food could made more of a profit) would help.

But I don't know how successful the place I described was (moneywise).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 kodiak3d Jul 18, 2010 20:04:41	Calling all gamers... A friend and I are exploring the possibility of opening a "gamer's cafe" in our area. Essentially, it would have a small storefront carrying a few common items (D&D, Pathfinder, Warhammer, Reaper minis, etc), a gaming area with sufficient space for 4 or so tabletop games, another 2 or 3 miniature wargaming tables, and a cafe/hangout area with a TV/DVD and a small concession bar for burgers, hot dogs, popcorn, coffee, sodas, etc. As gamers, I wanted to see what YOU would want out of a business like this. If there were a place like this in your area, would you visit it? Which should be bigger: the gaming area or the hangout area? What other things would you like to see in a place like this?
#2 ourequiem Jul 18, 2010 21:37:06	The gaming area should be bigger than the hangout area, but I think combining both would be the most efficient. I would definitely go to a place like that, and I think it would work out better if you had a "Friday Night Gaming" event where you allow people to stay later to game. Maybe even some VG consoles for the TV. EDIT: You may want to make it a bit like this place: www.sourcecomicsandgames.com/ It's way more comic shop then caf`e, they do serve food, but it may help with ideas.
#3 MechaPilot Jul 18, 2010 22:01:01	Gaming and other hobby related businesses generally don't make a great deal of money. If you are willing to do a lot of work for a relatively low income (when compared with other businesses), and the satisfaction of owning/operating the store, then you may do well. If the satisfaction is not as important to you as the income then you might want to consider a different business.
#4 scypio Jul 19, 2010 10:29:25	The store that I used to play Magic tried that. They put a bunch of computers in the front with the store part. They sold the normal card games and RPGs and some snacks. They had two rooms in the back. One smaller room which primarily consists of a large TV and consoles. There was another larger room which had a bunch of tables for gaming. They hosted Magic events along with other stuff (I'm not sure what since I only went for Magic) like Yu-gi-oh, DnD games, Guitar Hero tournaments, etc. In the front, there were typically a few people playing WoW or a FPS. I think they made most their money through the Magic stuff since stuff like release tournaments would draw big crowds and many people would buy boxes of cards. So I think having "official" tournaments would draw players and they'll buy their merchandise while they're there. I think most of the places I bought Magic from the past, I found by searching for places to play tournaments. I imagine the food (the place I went to was only snacks, but I imagine real food could made more of a profit) would help. But I don't know how successful the place I described was (moneywise).