The gaming stores in my area have fallen on hard times. Most have gone out of business. Unless you count the Game Workshop stores, only one remains open.That one was the crown jewel of the metroplex for over a decade. Large selection of in print and out of print items including some of the small press stuff now and then.
At one time I could walk in the door and pick up the full line of Deadlands, Shadowrun, or HERO offerings to say nothing of the tons of D&D stuff they had.
Now, many shelves are bare. The stock is looking old and worn. Much of the inventory looks to be in a "sell and don't replace state'. Except it doesn't seem to be selling. As to my favorite game, HERO? Some worn copies of 5th edition stuff (nothing core) is on the shelves. Nothing new.
They did have some of the latest Shadowrun stuff, and I picked up a hardback supplement of that with some minis to do my part in supporting them. They also had a good amount of WoD and D&D and of course what is now basically out print collector or treasure hunting items that is threatening to exceed the currently in print stocking.
It's easy to try and extend the local conditions to the whole world, and I'll avoid that. Also the reasons for things being what they are may be completely unrelated to the hobby itself (like the transfer of sales to online sources instead of hobby stores). I'd have to quiz the owner for details, and he's a rather nice upbeat guy. Asking why he's looking on the thin edge of going out of business wasn't something I wanted to beat him down with.
But whatever the cause, it's still a bummer.
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Same for my area. I walk in wanting to spend money but they have nothing new.
I'm originally from Newfoundland and in recent years moved to British Columbia, thus I have a Canadian gamer's perspective of the two extreme ends of the country. I've noticed a definite decline in the size and number of venues offering RPG products. Similar to what you've posted, many of the stock offerings are older products that are s-l-o-w-l-y selling, if at all. The stores that are still thriving are doing so by diversifying - offering CCGs, boardgames, comics, collectibles, etc.
Last weekend I visited Vancouver and met up with an old gaming friend of mine. He took me to a little shop that was out of the way that was buzzing. It was a Saturday and there was a magic tournament going on (which actually blocked access to some of the really good RP shelves for a bit, but I was patient). There were a half-dozen shelves all stacked full of game books including a lot of the newest games and a great selection of old classics. HERO was well represented with 3 Core books on the shelf and a mess of supplements.
I spent $100.00 there with no trouble at all and in truth I could have spent 4 times that much if I were able. As I was paying for my goods I conversationally asked the clerk about a few titles that I hadn't seen and he told me they come in regularly but were sold out at that moment.
So it seems that even in the worst of times, some folks can still make a go of it.
I think it is pretty much high time that the industry evolved. I bet you that there would be quite the market for hipster Coffee shop/Game Stores in some medium sized markets.
The few shops I know of that are doing well, are doing so because of Magic: the Gathering, 4e Encounters and Comic books. Granted the closest shop (1 hour away) also sells a lot of Pathfinder, but the owner is a 4e players and focuses on it more.
There are no shops in my area, I have to travel to find one, so I can't really say what the environment in my area would be like. There hasn't been a shop here in 15-20 years(before I moved into the area).
After some hard years for german FLGS it seems that the tables have turned again. More RPGs get sold at my local store, more people are visiting it again.
I hope this chance will occur on your site of the atlantic, too!
Interesting feedback. Things look very area specific which is what one would expect.
@Shinobicow: back in the early days (might have been the late 70s or early 80s) in KC, we had a Mr. Gatti's Pizza that hosted gaming tables. We'd play there and buy all sorts of food and drinks.
They went out of business for unrelated reasons so it didn't last long. Haven't seen it's like since.
@Cyric: Germany does seem to like it's RPGs. What are the big games over there?
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