Written by Jon Shreves.

Rob Gruber knew when he opened Good Times Games and Electronics over eighteen years ago that he had to take a specific approach to community-building. “I don't have 1.2 million [people] to work with; I don't even have fifty grand to work with. I got 10,000 people, and I need to make them all welcome and make them into customers.”

Now, nearly two decades later, Good Times Games and Electronics is a go-to gaming hub for Magic players and game fans alike in Prince Rupert, BC.

Rob wasn't the only one navigating community-building. I recently spoke with three Wizards Play Network retailers—Amanda Manship (Moonshot Games), Chance Kirchhof (Critical Hit Games), and Rob Gruber (Good Times Games and Electronics)—to learn how they build and maintain welcoming communities.

They shared valuable insights into how building rapport, embracing silliness, and catering to a community’s passions can create spaces where everyone feels at home.

Setting the Stage for Fun

For Amanda Manship, creating a welcoming environment starts the moment a customer walks in the door. “It’s very easy for somebody to come in and you’re just like ‘Hi! Welcome to Moonshot, can I help you with something today?’ [Then the customer replies,] ‘No.’ Ours is ‘Is this your first time here at Moonshot?’ That’s going to lead you to have a better conversation with them.”

She emphasizes quality conversation and building rapport, which allows people to relax, get comfortable, and not feel the pressure of a typical retail environment greeting. Newcomers get an opportunity to connect to the community right away and established members feel a sense of pride that they know the drill.

Leading By Example

Building a staff with a singular mission and focus is how Moonshot Games ensures that everyone who visits receives the same quality welcome. Amanda believes part of cultivating that buy-in from staff is reinforcing camaraderie with staff game nights, getaways, and activities. Building relationships focused on serving others is one of the hallmarks of their store.

For Rob at Good Times Games and Electronics, having fun and being silly is part of the job. “You empower everybody to do fun stuff and reach back and be kids again. If anyone is going to look silly, it’s going to be me, first and foremost, and I’m ok with that.”

Players at stores like Moonshot Games and Good Times Games and Electronics are encouraged to feel comfortable when they know they can be authentic without fear of ridicule. By leaning into the fun and the wacky, everyone else has permission to relax and enjoy themselves.

Above and Beyond with Store Decor

Chance Kirchhof and his business partner, Wayne Hoover, at Critical Hit Games started leaning into the themes of their events with music at Prerelease. When Unfinity released, they took it one step further with a faux-big top made of streamers to celebrate their "Faux-Tour" events.

Then, Chance’s life-long dream of a fantasy frontier Magic set became a reality with Outlaws of Thunder Junction. “When I heard about it, I knew I was going to do saloon doors.” The event included wanted posters and other western-themed decor—even a fake mustache contest.

According to Chance, the effort isn’t just for set dressing. It had a marked effect. “[Customers who did not take part in events] started thinking like, ‘maybe this is kind of a thing for me,’ because it’s silly and fun and a celebration of Magic’s characters and themes.”

All Characters Welcome

“All Characters Welcome” is the guiding principle for Moonshot Games. It has led to providing programs based on the player’s need and passions. Their competitive "Team Moonshot" group travels to various high-Rules Enforcement Level (REL) events together. Plus, "She-EDH" is a women-focused Commander group Amanda founded that meets regularly and has continued to grow.

Everybody’s Invited to the Party

Seeing a need for an uber-casual event on their calendar with The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth™ gave the folks at Critical Hit Games the idea for a second breakfast-themed Magic Sunday Brunch. This shorter event is more focused on sharing food and some laughs while playing Magic, and it has been one of their more popular events.

Ladies' D&D at Good Times Games and Electronics came from six moms wanting to connect with their kids. Now, there are ninety women in the group. “They’re more hardcore than the kids...they want to play all the time,” explains Rob.

A Hangout for All

“We want people to feel like this is their hangout. You never want to run a game store for just you and your buddies to hang out. You want it to be everyone's hangout,” Chance advises. He encourages stores to worry less about looking exactly like everyone else and lean into their uniqueness and local flair.

Chance attributes community contributions to Critical Hit Games as a big reason folks feel at home in the space. “It's your store, and for a while you shared it, and it [becomes] their store. That means you're doing it right.”

For Amanda at Moonshot Games and Rob at Good Times Games and Electronics, youth programs have been an enormous success. They host regular learn-to-play events and youth gaming clinics, even "Summer Fairy Tale Camps" for the youngest among the community.

Rob illustrates the long-term benefit of a healthy and welcoming community. “They grow up in the store and become amazing adult customers after. Our older kids used to be the younger kids. They had an older kid help them learn to play and navigate rulesets. So, when they become the veterans, they know it’s their job to help the up-and-comers.”

A Welcoming WPN

Cultivating a welcoming environment can take time. This is a fact. But the payoff is worth it, as Amanda says: “When you focus on others and making them feel accepted, you're always rewarded later.”