It is with a heavy heart that I make this post today and announce the closing of Revolution Games. The past 15 years have been best time of my life, but due to a multitude of factors, I will be closing the doors.
In my heart, we are a mom and pop shop. Because you, the community, made Revolution a part of your family and supported us over the years, we tried to hang on through much of the tough times. Thank you to all our wonderful customers and supporters of Revolution, you have made the time I spent here phenomenal, and because of you all this is one of the hardest decisions I have had to make.
Our last day of operation will be June 24, 2018. We will not be bringing in any new product or restocks from this point forward. Sales on remaining product will begin immediately. Collecting points on our Loyalty Program ends with this post, but you will be able to redeem loyalty credits until Friday June 8. After Friday, June 8th, all store items will be on sale and points will no longer be collectible or redeemable. Those customers with Store Credit will also have until Friday June 8 to use it up.
Retail game stores are like independent books stores. In today's retail environment, they're a labour of love, but it's hard to imagine they're viable commercially, long-term. I suspect the only thing keeping even a flagship store like the Sentry Box afloat all these years is Magic.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fotze
If this day gets you riled up, you obviously aren't numb to the disappointment yet to be a real fan.
Well, the card shop is a separate entity from Sentry Box. They even have separate entrances now, you cant walk between them.
__________________ "The great promise of the Internet was that more information would automatically yield better decisions. The great disappointment is that more information actually yields more possibilities to confirm what you already believed anyway." - Brian Eno
Yeah, but it's still the Sentry Box, and it's where Gord makes most of his money. He went from a tiny store in Altadore (where the Original Joe's is) to the mega-warehouse he's at now (he owns the property) with the profits from a couple years of MtG in the 90s. It subsidizes everything else he does.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fotze
If this day gets you riled up, you obviously aren't numb to the disappointment yet to be a real fan.
Yeah, but it's still the Sentry Box, and it's where Gord makes most of his money. He went from a tiny store in Altadore (where the Original Joe's is) to the mega-warehouse he's at now (he owns the property) with the profits from a couple years of MtG in the 90s. It subsidizes everything else he does.
Before OJs they were in that run-down strip mall on 33rd by a tattoo parlour.
I assume the main store is doing ok - lined-up at the cashier on weekends, and lots of gamers at the tables upstairs.
Stopped by SB on my way through Calgary last month, very impressive store. Very nice gaming area up top and just overall very welcoming and friendly atmosphere.
I did find the stocking to be a bit of an issue, lots of 1/4 stocked titles, but that is the price you pay when you want to try and dabble in everything.
My LGS is much smaller, but very well supplied in the titles they do support.
__________________ "In brightest day, in blackest night / No evil shall escape my sight / Let those who worship evil's might / Beware my power, Green Lantern's light!"
So Glory to Rome has settled in as my favourite game out of my 150 game collection. Each time I play I enjoy it more than the last. And I've been able to introduce it to several friends who feel the same way.
But it is funny to be cracking out my rare and highly sought-after black box edition, which is going for $250 US used, for beer and boardgame night at the kitchen table. My beer-swilling friends think I'm crazy for sleeving the cards. My game collector friends think I'm crazy for playing it at all.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fotze
If this day gets you riled up, you obviously aren't numb to the disappointment yet to be a real fan.
But it is funny to be cracking out my rare and highly sought-after black box edition, which is going for $250 US used, for beer and boardgame night at the kitchen table. My beer-swilling friends think I'm crazy for sleeving the cards. My game collector friends think I'm crazy for playing it at all.
They had a few boardgames for sale, but they have gone all in with CCGs. Big space with lots of tables set-up for games. Are that many people really playing Magic to pay the rent?
They had a few boardgames for sale, but they have gone all in with CCGs. Big space with lots of tables set-up for games. Are that many people really playing Magic to pay the rent?
I actually played a couple of games there. Nice spot, quiet, and really easy to get to for anyone in the NW. I have no idea how much rent would be for a space like that, it's not exactly high-traffic up there.
__________________ "The great promise of the Internet was that more information would automatically yield better decisions. The great disappointment is that more information actually yields more possibilities to confirm what you already believed anyway." - Brian Eno
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Please be aware that while the main store will be open today, Sentry Box Cards will likely be closed due to a major break in and robbery of stock early this morning. It will be up and running as soon as possible so stay tuned for further announcements on this and their own Facebook page.
It's pretty rare that we have 12 police in the store at the same time. On the positive side, nobody was hurt. Products can be replaced, lives can't be.
Those would have to be pretty rare cards.. anything being sold out of Calgary should raise a flag. Unfortunately no way CPS has the time or resources to track that, so up to Sentry Box to keep an eye on things.
__________________ "In brightest day, in blackest night / No evil shall escape my sight / Let those who worship evil's might / Beware my power, Green Lantern's light!"
Those would have to be pretty rare cards.. anything being sold out of Calgary should raise a flag. Unfortunately no way CPS has the time or resources to track that, so up to Sentry Box to keep an eye on things.
They had a few boardgames for sale, but they have gone all in with CCGs. Big space with lots of tables set-up for games. Are that many people really playing Magic to pay the rent?
The Sentry Box makes most of its money from CCGs. I don't think a tabletop game store is a viable business without CCGs. Even 20 or so regular customers who spend $50-100 a month on Magic is a decent foundation for a small retail business. Occasional customers who spend $200 a year on boardgames are not.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fotze
If this day gets you riled up, you obviously aren't numb to the disappointment yet to be a real fan.
Last edited by CliffFletcher; 08-03-2018 at 10:09 AM.
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