[Musings of a Game Store Owner] What Do You Do?

I saw a comment on a blog earlier this week. It was asking why one should frequent a FLGS, when they had a hobby basement and there was the internet. It went something like:

"A game store's great, but what does it do?" 

My humble reply: 

I sell games. Board games, roleplaying, miniatures, card and dice games. I sell teeny tiny space menz. I sell paper crack. I sell “poncing about playing make believe”. I sell big boxes of cardboard and plastic with funny rules on how to use them.

I sell fun.

I sell moments and experiences. I sell the opportunity to do something different. I sell wish fulfillment; fantasy, really. I sell time in a bottle- or a box. I sell afternoons with family and evenings with friends.

I sell the chance at friendship for the socially outcast, awkward and just plain weird. I sell camaraderie, laughter and jokes.  I sell the “cheese”, the “beer and pretzels”, the “playing with toy soldiers”.

I sell wonder. I sell wide eyed joy, opening a gift at Christmas. I sell traditions passed from father to son (and daughter). I sell memories. I sell that quiet moment of satisfaction and pride when a parent sees a child loving the same kinds of thing the parent did when younger.

TheBoy getting Warmachine for Christmas

I sell the answer to “what happens next?” and “whodunit”. I sell problem solving and critical thinking skills. I sell creativity and boundless imagination. I sell math skills and understanding order of operation. I sell cooperation and sharing.  I sell stress relief and relaxation techniques.

I sell community. I sell a sense of belonging and family.  

I sell a place where nerds, geeks and dweebs are welcome and celebrated. I sell smiles and good times.

That's what I do. Come join me sometime and check it out.