Ultimate gaming store/location

[Ravenspath]

Years ago friends and I talked about what the best gaming store would be like. I was driving by a building that is for sale that used to be a distributor for various bottled beverages and my thought was "That would be cool to have to run games in." Of course is it would be too big, but that got me thinking about it again.

What would you want in the ultimate gaming store? I don't mean a store that sells game stuff and has tables to run games at, but rather a store that is designed to have games run there.

First thought is a library of game books that you can use while in the store.
Second is a server repository for character sheets and access to DM notes in case someone forgets something.
Third, soda and beverages at a decent price, possibly even a kitchenette.
Fourth, comfortable chairs and nice large tables.
Fifth, the ability to reserve rooms for ongoing games.

What else?

[SDragon]

Can't forget the bulletin board. How else will you post notices?

I really can't add much more, because I'm not sure if you mean strictly a gaming store, and most gaming stores (at least, around here) tend to have other geek-related merchandise.

[Ghost]

I'd think that a store that big would have the ability to sell almost every kind of game out there. So, it would be cool if it had seperate sections for each of the major games/types of games - there'd be one section or room for Magic and other CCGs, another one for Warhammer and other miniatures games, and at least a large bookcase and a table for pen-and-paper rpgs.

Hmm...on second thought, the miniatures area would probably be bigger than all the others, especially if they shift D&D/Starwars miniatures there.

It'd be cool if the same store could also have a few large racks selling basically everything else. Comics, graphic novels, gaming accessories, clothing, toys, maybe even some videogames.

Edit: and of course, experienced judges/organizers for each type of tournament that would be going on there. You can't expect the store owner to know everything themselves (although, this is a fantasy store...).

[Ravenspath]

Can't forget the bulletin board. How else will you post notices?

I really can't add much more, because I'm not sure if you mean strictly a gaming store, and most gaming stores (at least, around here) tend to have other geek-related merchandise.

Other geek related merchandise is fine. The FLGS here has a room set up with tables to game which is nice, but just meant more than that. They also have VERY limited selection of rpg books as they cater more towards the CCG, which is fine too. (used to a magic addict). The Ultimate Gaming Store can have CCG, comics, geek related stuff too. CCG's matches would be able to held in the rooms too.

[SDragon]

Can't forget the bulletin board. How else will you post notices?

I really can't add much more, because I'm not sure if you mean strictly a gaming store, and most gaming stores (at least, around here) tend to have other geek-related merchandise.

Other geek related merchandise is fine. The FLGS here has a room set up with tables to game which is nice, but just meant more than that. They also have VERY limited selection of rpg books as they cater more towards the CCG, which is fine too. (used to a magic addict). The Ultimate Gaming Store can have CCG, comics, geek related stuff too. CCG's matches would be able to held in the rooms too.

Right, then. A regular tournament would be pretty cool.

It may seem like a small thing, but one thing a lot of FLGS's seem to fall short on, is cleanliness. I'm lucky in that my primary FLGS is very well-kept, but I've seen more then a few that.... *shudders*

If the place is big enough (and since this is hypothetical at this point, why not?), then it'd be cool if the place had a "used" section, so people could be introduced to out-of-print systems.

Oh, and it should support local independants, such as game designers and such. It's incredibly satisfying to be able to get a comic/RPG/anime/etc. that was made by a small, local company.

[Ravenspath]

It may seem like a small thing, but one thing a lot of FLGS's seem to fall short on, is cleanliness. I'm lucky in that my primary FLGS is very well-kept, but I've seen more then a few that.... *shudders*

If the place is big enough (and since this is hypothetical at this point, why not?), then it'd be cool if the place had a "used" section, so people could be introduced to out-of-print systems.

Oh, and it should support local independants, such as game designers and such. It's incredibly satisfying to be able to get a comic/RPG/anime/etc. that was made by a small, local company.

I agree completely with all of your comments here. Some stores are dirty which just gives gamers a bad name. And a used section would be awesome! You can trade in games you don't want (which I don't understand, but to each their own) and get credit for it. Then others can come in and pick your the out of print stuff to finish their collections! (Only need one more item for a complete Al-Qadim set!)

And supporting locals is very important!

All good points.

[Higgs Boson]

I agree with the multiple rooms, but it would be nice to have dice pouches at the sides of gaming tables, would be coonvienient for everyone. also, there should be a large miniature room with massive landscapes for playing battles on. MTG room with special marked areas, and of course, the place should have like "Friday Night Fight Nights" where there would be tournaments for all the games, and for D&D there should be "gladitorial adventures" where the characters are created witha quick and easy computer character creation program, and then there is a in-game tournament! T'would be like chugging distilled l337 essence.

[Higgs Boson]

Maybe there should also be a section for Videogaming tournaments and such. Like by my house theres a place called Gamer's Lounge, where you can reserve a block for 2.5 hours and they have 60" tv's, with xbox's, ps2/3, wii's, everything (except computers). It could be like that, but with computers.

[Higgs Boson]

Who knows, maybe it would be a CBG-run store? O_o.

[Stargate525]

You know those ultimate gaming table plans that are floating around the net?

Each gaming room has one.

I'm so tempted to have one or two dual-rooms, where the DM sits in a gap in the wall, and can 'flip' back and forth between two rival parties. Hell, having dividers that can slide in and out so the other players cannot see the action that's not by them would be awesome too.

Classes on how to be a model DM/Player

Beginner tutorials and campaigns.

On-staff DMs whose job it is to run sessions.

[Tangential]

Maybe there should also be a section for Videogaming tournaments and such. Like by my house theres a place called Gamer's Lounge, where you can reserve a block for 2.5 hours and they have 60" tv's, with xbox's, ps2/3, wii's, everything (except computers). It could be like that, but with computers.

We have one of those, here.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=118306002

[Túrin]

It should have a big screen and projector device so you can play video games or watch movies in big screen mode. Movie night in the store every Friday! :yumm:

[Gwaihir Windlord]

I want a store like this...  'twould satisfy my geeky needs.

I think that it should also have a membership.  Members have access to the kitchenette, the nice rooms in the back, and a discount should they decide to purchase something.

Oh, did I mention that this place is open 24/7, holidays included? (Hey, while we're dreaming)

[Túrin]

I think that it should also have a membership.  Members have access to the kitchenette, the nice rooms in the back, and a discount should they decide to purchase something.

Of course, membership is free, and the membership-discount rate is 100%. :)

[Jharviss]

Actually, I'm going to have to disagree with you there, Turin.  A small membership fee would actually make a lot of sense.  If there are fascilities that have nice rooms and a kitchenette, requiring a $5 membership fee makes a lot of sense.  In fact, charge the membership fee and then give them %5 off on everything in the store.  It would actually be more economically viable for them, but that also gives them a huge incentive to only buy from this store.  

A membership may just be the genius stroke.

(Sorry for cutting the fantasy out of it - the realist in me wants to figure out how to make this gorgeous store actually work.)