November 1st Update: Celebrating One Year at Out of Play
Welcome back, my fellow tabletop enthusiasts! It's that time of the month again, where I get to share the latest happenings at Out of Play. As we kick off the month of November, I'm excited to bring you up to speed on all the comings and goings around here.
The Game Jam Dilemma
First and foremost, I have to address the elephant in the room - our recent game jam was a bit of a dud. I know, I know, it's not the news you were hoping for, but hey, that's the nature of these types of events. As an online-only store, I'm still figuring out the best way to host these kinds of community-driven initiatives, and this one just didn't quite hit the mark. But you know what they say, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!" I'm not giving up on the idea of game jams, and I'll be sure to learn from this experience to make the next one even better.
A Spooky Oversight
Speaking of events, I have to admit that I completely missed the boat on Halloween this year. In my defense, I had a teeth cleaning scheduled on the 31st, and it completely slipped my mind that it was the most ghoulish day of the year. I know, I know, it's a rookie mistake, but hey, at least the month ended in a bit of bloodshed, right? (Just kidding, it was just a routine cleaning, nothing too scary!)
A Belated Gift for You
But fear not, my friends, I haven't forgotten about you! To make up for my Halloween oversight, I've created a special, limited-time code for all of you. It's called "thankboomas," and it'll get you free shipping on all orders until next Wednesday. So, if you've been eyeing that new game or that perfect accessory for your tabletop setup, now's the time to snag it!
A Holiday Mimic Friend
And that's not all! In the spirit of the holiday season, I've created a little holiday mimic friend who will be bringing gifts to all of you throughout the rest of the year. Keep an eye out for this mischievous little guy, as he'll be popping up at random times with all sorts of surprises and deals. You never know when he might show up, so stay vigilant, my friends!
Reaching a Milestone
Speaking of the holiday season, I have another exciting announcement to make: Out of Play has officially reached its one-year anniversary! Can you believe it? It's been a wild ride, but I'm so grateful to all of you for your continued support. I know the statistics say that many small businesses don't make it past the two-year mark, but I'm determined to beat the odds. With your help, I know we can do it!
The Physical Store Dream
Now, I know a lot of you have been asking about the possibility of a physical store location, and I want to assure you that it's still very much on my radar. I'm constantly exploring options and looking into the feasibility of making that dream a reality. It's not an easy task, especially with the current state of the economy, but I'm not giving up. I'm committed to finding a way to bring the magic of Out of Play to a physical space, where you can come and experience the joy of tabletop gaming firsthand.
Supporting Local Game Stores
In the meantime, I encourage all of you to continue supporting your local game stores. These small businesses are the lifeblood of the tabletop gaming community, and they need our help now more than ever. So, whenever you can, make a point to stop by your favorite local game store and show them some love. And of course, you can always count on Out of Play to be here, providing you with the best in tabletop gaming and more!
As we move forward into the holiday season, I'm excited to see what the future holds for Out of Play. There are so many exciting things in the works, and I can't wait to share them all with you. Until then, keep an eye out for those surprise gifts from my holiday mimic friend, and don't forget to use that "thankboomas" code for free shipping!
Thank you all for your continued support. Here's to another year of amazing tabletop adventures!
Happy gaming, Jennifer Panetta, Founder, Out of Play