Jennifer and Kurtis Jones went from avid Magic: The Gathering players to owners of a thriving local game store (LGS) named The Game Box in Clinton, Missouri, a small town south of Kansas City. This is the story of how they turned their passion for Magic into profit, with assistance from TCGplayer.
How The Game Box Got Started
The Jones’s involvement in the collectibles industry started out with them deeply engrossed in the world of Magic: The Gathering. Every weekend they were hosting dedicated game nights, inviting upwards of a dozen players. As the player base grew, one thing became apparent: they were running out of space. Plus, they were getting tired of traveling an hour away when they wanted to visit an LGS. Their solution? Open a store in their own town where everyone can play, connect, and purchase their cards.
Creating a Community of Players
In June of 2023, their dream became a reality as they opened the doors to their LGS, focusing primarily on Magic: The Gathering while also catering to other trading card games. The vision of their store extended beyond just a place for customers to purchase products; their goal was to foster a sense of community where players from all backgrounds felt welcome. They achieved this with the layout of the LGS, an open game room with many tables, offering a judgment-free space where connection is encouraged.
Maximizing Their Customer Base with TCGplayer
Almost immediately upon opening their LGS, The Game Box recognized the importance of an online presence and signed up to sell on TCGplayer. With a population of less than 10,000 and their store not on the main drag, their customer base is limited. On top of that, they quickly realized their established customer base was less inclined to buy more expensive singles, like extended art foils. By leveraging TCGplayer, they were immediately able to tap into a vast customer base, allowing them to sell beyond the limitations of their rural, small town. As a result, online sales became their lifeline, enabling them to overcome challenges and sustain their business.
Streamlining Operations with The TCGplayer Mobile App
The TCGplayer mobile app has been key to helping their business. Whether pricing cards or managing inventory, the app simplifies their operations, allowing them to focus on what they do best: providing exceptional service to their customers and creating a welcoming space for players.
The mobile app allows you to quickly digitize Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, and Yu-Gi-Oh! cards by scanning them with your phone camera. Once you scan them, you can immediately see price data for TCGplayer Mid, Low, Direct Low, and Market Price. If you’re a Level 4 seller, it also has the ability to seamlessly import those cards to the TCGplayer Marketplace at no cost.
Words of Wisdom
When asked what advice The Game Box has for aspiring sellers or sellers looking to open an LGS, they offer:
- Stick with what you know and love. Passion fuels success.
- Start small and grow steadily.
- Believe in your vision. Perseverance pays off.
The Game Box’s journey from hobbyists to entrepreneurs shows the power of passion and community. They are now enrolled in the Growth Acceleration Program, a TCGplayer program designed to empower sellers to unlock their full potential and boost their sales. With the help of TCGplayer, they’re looking forward to continuing to grow their business and expand their LGS.
About Seller Stories
Seller Stories is a program dedicated to spotlighting the driving forces behind the trading card game industry: sellers like you. Interested in being featured? Share your story with us.