What you should know when opening a specialty retail game and comic store. Tips and advice for the business minded passionate gamer.

1. Store Opening
Checklist
A Checklist of Necessary Stuff!

2. You think you want to own a Game Store…
I Own 2 Stores Currently…
I have Opened or moved 3 times in 7 years!
This is about all of the items you need to take
care of before you open your doors for the
very 1st Dollar!
This is not about whether you SHOULD...
Why are We Here?

3. David Steltenkamp
• Own Dragon’s Den in Poughkeepsie, NY
• Own Gamer’s Gambit in Danbury, CT
• MBA, 15+ Years in Retail Mgt.
• 10 Years in Publishing, Sales
• Started in Gaming with D&D Purple Box
Background

4. Legal
Banking/Capital
Commercial Leasing
Prepping Your Physical Space
Equipment
Setting Up Vendor Accounts
Human Resources
Store Policies
Advertising
What Areas are We Covering?

5. What type of Structure?
Sole, LLC, Corp
Who owns it?
What State?
Sales Tax/Local Laws
Insurance
Find a Good Lawyer/Accountant
Legal

6. Open Corporate Account
Establish Signers
Loan Bank or Different?
Corporate Debit/Credit Card
Set Up Credit Card Processing
Separate Accounts for Taxes/Payroll?
Banking

7. Location, Location, Location
Term & Amount per Square Foot (Per Month/Per Year)
Common Area Merchant Fees
Taxes
Contacts at Landlord
There is another Session on Commercial Leasing
Thursday, 10 AM
Commercial Leasing

8. What do you need to do?
Paint, Flooring, Ceiling, Electrical, Plumbing, Security
Fixtures
Grid Wall, Slat Wall, Bookcases, Shelving, Hooks,
Display Cases, Cash Wrap, Register Stand, Filing
Cabinets, Desk, Storage, Tables, Chairs, ETC.
Prepping Your Physical Space

9. Point of Sale
Computer, Cash Drawer, Credit Card Machine,
Receipt Printer, Label Printer, Counterfeit Detection
Office
Computer, Cash Box, Filing Cabinet
General Store
Vacuum, Stapler, Tape, Ladder, Garbage Cans
Equipment

10. Basic Utilities
Security
Credit Card Processing (Merchant Services)
Goods
Wholesale/Distributors
Direct With Manufacturers
Local Vendors (Food, Crafts)
Set Up Vendor Accounts

11. Terms
COD Certified
Credit Card
COD
Due on Delivery
Net ?? Days
Deposits
Set up Vendor Accounts, Part 2

12. Non-Goods
Organized Play - Friday Night Magic
Store Locators - Steve Jackson Games
Demo Copies - Fantasy Flight
Demo Programs - Press Gangers
National Days - International TableTop Day
Set Up Vendor Accounts, Part 3

13. Make Sure You Check Legal Issues!!!
eg NJ Owner must be covered by Workers Comp
“Volunteers” like Wizards Judges
Minimum Wage, Working Papers
Interview
Check References
Beware Family & “Friends”
Human Resources

14. Basics
Days & Hours, Checks, Events, Buybacks
Employee (Possible Handbook)
Discounts, Uniform, Standards
Customers
Code of Conduct, Volunteers
Cash
How and Who
Store Policies

15. Social Media
Broadcast
Print
EMail
Direct Mail
Flyers
Billboards
Guerilla
Advertising

16. Your Grand Opening

17. Gamer’s Gambit, Danbury CT Before
Photo Gallery

18. Gamer’s Gambit, Danbury CT After
Photo Gallery

19. Dragon’s Den, Poughkeepsie, NY
Photo Gallery

20. gamersgambit.com/GAMA2016
Thanks for
Coming!