NOTE: the opinions expressed in interviews are those of the guests, not necessarily those of shadomain.com.
Today we talk with Brenden Hill about Crossroad Games. You can find Crossroad Games at:
www.crossroadgames.com
www.facebook.com/crossroadgames
Let’s hear from Brenden!
Tell us about your company, Crossroad Games. Is it online, or a brick and mortar store?
Crossroad Games is a brick and mortar game store located in Standish, Maine. We opened our doors in the fall of 1999 and have been teaching and selling games ever since.
Do you have a gaming space in your store? What’s the most challenging thing about having a gaming space in a retail store?
We have just over 4000 square feet of gaming space alongside 1700 square feet of retail. The most challenging thing about having a dedicated gaming space with our retail space is the cost. Our gaming space has been free to use since we opened and we use a big portion of the profits generated by our retail space to keep it that way.
What got you interested in games?
My game playing started when I was very young and my grandfather taught me how to play cribbage. I learned that games are a great way to spend time with your friends and family. I have been playing and organizing game groups ever since.
What made you decide to open your store?
I was working out of my house doing accounting work and wanted to move to an office because I was having a hard time staying focused on work. I rented a small space to move my work to and it was also zoned for retail, so I decided that I would try a small game store. My first weekend I had lines out the door and I stopped working as an accountant within 2 weeks.
What’s the most popular game(s) at your store? What game(s) do you wish more people knew about?
We have always carried the 4 pillars of gaming (Cards Games, Miniature Games, Board Games & RPGs) Currently the most popular games at the shop are Warhammer 40K, Magic the Gathering and Pokemon.
Personally, RPGs are my favorite genre of games and I mostly play smaller print RPGs. My current “Go To” RPGs are Shadowdark, Dragonbane, Mothership, Ten Candles and anything by Possum Creek Games. I also have started playing the Kinfire Chronicles board game and it is very good.
You are a vendor at many game conventions. What is something most gamers would be surprised at, regarding being a vendor at a game con? What’s the most challenging thing? What’s the most fun?
We vend at a few New England conventions each year and have been doing so for decades. Each convention can be very different from each other. What sells well at one convention, one year, may be a total bust at another or a different year. It is often quite difficult to correctly predict what will be worth bringing along and we always miss something. The hard work is worth it because we get to see players that we only really get to hang out with once a year at a specific convention.
What upcoming game are you most excited to see?
I am excited to see what Incredible Dream Games is up to. They are a new game company with a ton of talent and everything that I have played of theirs has been great. It is always great to see a group following their dreams of publishing games that they love and have success.
Are you more of a tabletop gamer or a video gamer?
I play both, but my heart has always been with face to face play. I love sitting around a table and playing with my friends and family.
What else should we know that we haven’t asked you yet?
After I turned my childhood hobby into my lifelong career, I needed a new hobby. Now I am a fairly accomplished photographer.
Thanks, Brenden!
About The Author
