072: Running a game store with Andrew of Lost Star Gaming Outfitters

Roll Play Grow: A TTRPG Business Podcast

How many of you have thought about starting a friendly local gaming store? Well, I have a special treat for you today, because I got to chat with Andrew Youngchild, the co-founder of Lost Star Tabletop Gaming Outfitter in Gig Harbor, Washington. He and his sister, Charlie, opened up this very cool store in the heart of Gig Harbor’s shopping district, a year into Covid. We dig into how the store came to be, how things have changed over the years, and Andrew’s hopes for the future. Andrew really dives into a lot of the decisions they had to make, and I really appreciated this genuine look at opening and running a gaming store.
Before we dive in, I’d like to welcome anyone who is new to the show. This podcast is a part of Lightheart Adventures, which is a small company I co-founded with my husband. We also do blogs, one-shots, and maps that you’ll find over on our website, lightheartadventures.com. This show allows me to chat with so many amazing folks about business, marketing, hardships, lessons learned and how to guides across a wide spectrum of industries within the TTRPG scene. If that sounds like a show for you, then be sure to subscribe to Roll Play Grow on your favorite podcast player.
Find Lost Star

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

Find Roll Play Grow:

• Show Page
• Patreon
• Lightheart Adventures Website
• Lightheart Twitter
• Lightheart Instagram

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Find Roll Play Grow:

• Show Page
• Patreon
• Discord
• Lightheart Adventures Website
• Lightheart Twitter
• Lightheart Instagram

Kapitel

1. Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Andrew Introduction (00:02:27)

3. How the game store came to be (00:07:34)

4. Deciding on products for your game store (00:16:07)

5. The challenges of running a storefront (00:30:40)

6. Hosting events and actual plays at the store (00:32:00)

7. Marketing (00:38:10)

8. Upcoming projects (00:43:43)

9. Where can people find you? (00:46:32)

10. Wrap-up (00:49:12)