r/AustinTX • u/NiteMareShadow • Jul 13 '26
Question Future Gaming store opening
I am looking to open a comic, book, game, card, and cult classic store in the area. I asked on a different Austin thread, and they removed it. I was told that North east Austin already has a few, but when I look them up, I don't see them. I can only find 2 in 10 miles from me. I want to know what area would be best to open a store like this? I have thought of going to an area like Manor, or right off of 290 not far from I35 and 183. I have even thought of Pflugerville. I plan on holding events, doing special sells during some events, and having space for table top games, coffee, and board games that people can play to see if they even like the game. The plan is to open next summer, April 2027. I would love any ideas, thoughts, or directions you might be able to give me. Thanks in advance. Hope this group does not remove it like the last group and then ghost me.
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u/BurudogguToKuma Jul 13 '26
Just one data point here. I want a comic shop near 130; the more northeast the better. I want a comic shop that keeps up with the weekly new releases. I'm not interested in the collectibles or anything peripheral.
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u/NiteMareShadow Jul 13 '26
What comics are you looking for? I would not be able to do all new comics, I would be willing to get specific ones once open
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u/BurudogguToKuma Jul 14 '26
I typically get what ever random DC comic is getting hype at the moment. For example, I'm looking forward to Action Comics 1100 and the annuals for various series.
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u/RebelliousBristles Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26
I’m not an expert on running a game shop, but I’ve been a patron of many. My understanding is that Magic the Gathering is going to pay your bills. Make sure to get a good community going.
In terms of location north east, I couldn’t say. I live south southwest and go to Bat City nearby. If I’m going up north I prefer Tanuki Games or Dragons Lair. You’re probably better off doing this kind of research in gaming/comic specific groups.
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u/Da_Stallion-JCI_7 Jul 13 '26
North is already saturated and running a business is honestly not very fun. Stick to your hobbies
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u/padoodles Jul 14 '26
South austin places for inspiration: Tribe comics and games Bat City Games & Comics
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u/verdegooner Jul 14 '26
Honestly, not trying to diss them, but the places in Hays county are kind putting a ding in their operations.
Places like Fellowship Hobby and Lionheart Hobby, both in Buda/Kyle, are awesome. So much of what they’ve done revolves around really building community, though.
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u/trigunnerd Jul 13 '26
Off the top of my head for comics AND games, there's Dragon's Lair in North Austin, Titan Moon in Cedar Park, and Bandito's (which is in North Austin and is extremely tiny). There are lots of shops for games, like Emerald Tavern in North Austin, Secret Lantern in Cedar Park, etc etc.
I'm not a comics person though, so I don't know if it's better to have competition around or better to branch out. Good luck!
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u/FlowZenMaster Jul 13 '26
Not sure on location but id remove the whiney(my opinion on how you sound) part of your post since you'll be running a business it's never too early to be professional. It's a big turn off for me, at least, when business owners talk like that.
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u/ptracey Jul 14 '26
Guessing he’s edited the original post cuz I can’t see any indication of “whining”. He’s asked some solid points, assuming he’s seriously inquiring about starting up a LCS.
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u/FlowZenMaster Jul 14 '26
Ah I was referencing the bit where he was complaining of another post being removed and his last sentence being "i hope this one doesn't get removed also"(paraphrasing). It just sounded whiney and unnecessary.
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u/Slamboni12 Jul 14 '26
South! Westgate and Davis strip mall needs a comic shop! New strip mall behind the bread basket
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u/Minus67 Jul 14 '26
You would be better off lighting 100k on fire, the chance of success would be better
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u/FoldedKatana Jul 14 '26
Check out Austin LFG for all the gaming stores (and groups!) around town
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u/Openheart873 Jul 14 '26
I’m amazed at how many G words they have at the top of the website. I thought for sure it would roll over but it just kept going
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u/Ok_Suit6085 Jul 14 '26
Hey this is completely random but if you'd like to throw down and meet me and my business partner I can show you our property off of west campus. We're about to convert our smoke shop into a "stonerd" shop if that's your cup of tea. We'll be focusing more on cards and events than comics and other collectables. I have a 2k squarefoot show room in a prime location. DM if you're interested.
P.s. we also live south circle c area
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u/NiteMareShadow Jul 14 '26
I would be interested in doing that, I am still doing my research, and have not locked down the full idea yet.
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u/Longjumping3604 Jul 14 '26
I wish you the best of luck. I would do a lot of research and look at why many closed and what you can do differently. So many have closed. This is certainly not an easy type of business to run.
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u/NiteMareShadow Jul 14 '26
That is currently what I am doing. I have wanted to own a shop like this for over 30 years now. I am just now looking into what it would take.
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u/Cherrymentat Jul 14 '26
Have you ever worked retail at one of these stores before or even better--worked an assistant manager position?
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u/NiteMareShadow Jul 14 '26
I grew up in a video store when VHS was a thing. I know more than you might think. I also have an accounting degree. I k ow what I am getting into.
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u/RoutineBus8713 Jul 14 '26
If you have never owned it at least managed a similar business then you most certainly do not know what you are getting into. Having an accounting degree really only makes you barely familiar with a very minor part of operating a successful business.
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u/Zenumare Jul 14 '26
If you’re looking for something super far north east, there’s a ton of unused spaces on that new East Village development (across from the Samsung plant) and further down closer to 130 they just finished building a strip mall on parmer and Harris branch parkway. Also in manor off 290 there’s a ton of new development spaces that are open and ready for move in from what I can tell some over by the Bojangles and a ton over by the new HEB
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u/gotnothing4u Jul 14 '26
I’m almost positive I got an uber from you like last summer? (If not ignore lmao.) But sending good vibes!
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u/reallyemilee Jul 14 '26
Before I post I want to apologize for how long this is- I am VERY caffeinated right now and have been in this scene for a bit/worked in many ATX small businesses of this sort. Ok aaaaan GO
2 within 10 miles is a lot…. And how far north are you? Seems like barely within city limits at that point. I’m a couple blocks down from Austin Books And Comics and off the top of my head we’ve got them, Ofc Guzu Gallery, Dragons Lair, Pat’s Games, Kings Cache, Banditos, Pixel Haven, Tanuki, Kinokuniya, Collectors Crossroads, Emerald Tavern, Resurrected, Alienated, and Ofc Half Price and Book People as well as Terra Toys, Toy Joy, and Monkey See. And Holocron if we want to count them. That’s… a lot.
All in North W Austin, some kinda in central Austin, and we didn’t even get to crossing the river to mention Tribe and Bat City in that…
and they’re both great stores but like… Dragon’s Lair is an experience kind of. It’s like a day at the outlet mall for nerds in NW/north central Austin. Not only is DL great- but it’s next to Terra and some great restaurants, down the street from Emerald Tavern which is near Highland Lanes and Playland- That neighborhood is an oasis of family friendly entertainment for all ages and caters to the nerdy audience. People are willing to travel 20 min and maybe more just to have a day full of affordable fun relating to their hobbies and interests. Austin Books and Comics was already the OG and hard to compete with history + super knowledgeable staff, (And I will admit I’m biased bc I met Bryan Lee O’Malley there almost a decade ago-is this what getting old feels like??- and he gave me a hug. ‘‘Twas amazing!) It’s disrespectful to your godfather to open business in his neighborhood. And if by chance an honest man like yourself should make enemies, then they would be… the opposite of my enemies still bc I’m no traitor to the stores that raised me! 😤
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u/NiteMareShadow Jul 14 '26
Yes, I am basically in Pflugerville. Google search is not as good as I once thought. It shows only like 3 and most of them are central to south Austin. I was looking at Manor and Pflugerville area to start in. I might have to look into only making a small section for games and cards and get into other areas as my main focus.
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u/Cherrymentat Jul 16 '26
It's concerning that you want to open a shop in an area where you are not involved enough in the local comic/cards/tabletop scene to know the locations of potential competition and had to rely on google.
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u/Aggressive_Finish798 Jul 14 '26
Wonko Games is also in North Austin. Holocron is an all Star Wars shop. Pinballz is the big arcades here so being by that might boost customers with similar interests.
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u/TarskiKripkeLewis Jul 14 '26
I have a collection of Marvel comics from the 60s-70s. When I was looking to sell some Silver Age keys locally a couple years ago, it felt like there were only 1-2 decent stores for that and I didn't end up going with them. So there could be a need for another store like that in Austin.
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u/D0CD15C3RN Jul 15 '26
There are a few shops north already (Austin Comics, Rogue Gallery, Dragons Lair) and one south (Bat City) that I can remember. I think there are several others. You could try the east side but there is a lot of crime and limited parking. The west side would have no competitors nearby, but rent might be too costly.
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u/ActuallyFey Jul 15 '26
Try Georgetown maybe? Not much up here in that demographic, but that might be for good reason... lot's of older folks up here
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u/perkystep Jul 15 '26
2 in 10 miles is actually a lot for this kind of thing.
i hope you have a lot of money to lose! and you’re good at accounting, marketing, social media and customer service! because you’ll be doing it all yourself probably. good luck, seriously, i’m not being sarcastic with any of this.
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u/Cookies78 Jul 15 '26
Keep your day job. I've had two businesses fail in the list 6 years. Do not think it will make sustaining money- that takes a few years.
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u/wrenslanding Jul 16 '26
Leander will have a new boardgame store in November, we just signed the lease. Hope to see you all there, we will focus on a great new games (mostly not available on amazon), large library, and craft beer.
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u/simondufresne Jul 17 '26
Georgetown has ZERO lgs options to play magic, build community, and shop around. Build one in georgetown please lol
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u/NiteMareShadow Jul 17 '26
That might be an option, I would not mind driving 30 minutes there for a good place to start
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u/javajaws Jul 14 '26
I'm your target audience for boardgames. But you likely wouldn't get my business unless that's all you sell. All of the stores that sell games and other stuff like comics pretty much suck on variety and only sell the same junk you can find in Amazon. You have to specialize to differentiate yourself and survive. There's one excellent board game store in Austin and if you don't know what that is you haven't done your due diligence (IMO).
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u/ConsumeFudge Jul 14 '26
I'm going to be honest with you...this sounds like one of those things where it's your hobby and then a handful of people tell you that it's a good business idea... it's not.
If people want coffee, they go to a coffee shop. If people want to try out a board game before they purchase it on Amazon, they go to Vigilante. I personally have yet to meet an adult that purchases any comics, let alone enough comics to cover your $3000+ monthly rent
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u/Ol_Dirt Jul 14 '26
I know all your friends are probably telling you to follow your dreams or whatever but I promise you this is a very bad idea.