Interview with the Würfelgarten in Schwäbisch Hall – A paradise for tabletop and board game fans
The world of board and tabletop games thrives on the passion of its players – and on dedicated dealers who not only sell, but also actively build a community. One of these special places is the Würfelgarten in Schwäbisch Hall. Here you will not only find an impressive selection of board games, trading cards and tabletop systems, but also expert advice and a lively gaming community.
In the Würfelgarten, you can try out games, meet up with other players and even book the location for your own gaming sessions. At a time when many retailers rely on online stores, Würfelgarten deliberately offers a personal shopping experience on site. This made me curious, and I conducted an interview with the owner to find out more about his store, his philosophy and his view of the tabletop scene.
The interview with the Würfelgarten
About the Würfelgarten:
Can you briefly tell us something about your store? How did it come about that you founded it?
My friends and I have actually always enjoyed playing board games or Magic (MTG) and usually played them in a friend’s shed or in my apartment, which was usually a bit cramped. We were already familiar with stores with a concept like this and, of course, during this time we were always a little annoyed that there wasn’t a store like this nearby.
After a few years of annoyance, I finally decided to open a store myself in Schwäbisch Hall.
What makes your store different from other game stores?
I think the biggest unique selling point of our store is the relaxed, homely atmosphere. People can relax in our garden, enjoy coffee and cake and not just come in to buy or play games. They can also just spend a leisurely afternoon with us.
What kind of games do you offer and what are your personal favorites?
We offer games that are usually less well known. Our assortment is very broad and ranges from strategy games to party games. Of course, we also offer special games such as Warhammer 40K or trading card games. My personal favorite among the trading card games is Magic: The Gathering.
Tabletop & Community:
BattleTech Alpha Strike and Halo: Flashpoint are our main areas of focus. Do you stock BattleTech or Halo products, and what is the demand for them?
We don’t carry BattleTech and Alpha Strike, but we have recently added Halo to our range. I find it very interesting as it’s easy to learn and feels like a dynamic tabletop variant. The demand for it is quite good at the beginning, even though we’ve only been offering it for a few weeks. So it’s still hard to predict, but I’m confident about the demand.
How important is tabletop wargaming to you compared to board games and trading cards?
Of course all games are important to me. I understand that tabletop wargaming is a specialized market, different from general board games and trading card games. It’s a more specialized topic due to the greater time commitment, but I notice that more and more customers are developing an interest in it and gaining new customers. So I think it’s a growing market in our area that I would like to nurture.
What is the local community like? Are there regular game meetings or tournaments?
The local community is already in place. We have not yet offered any tournaments and other types of games in the store, but this will change in the coming weeks. These events will then be published on our homepage and on social media.
In-store advice & gaming experience:
You offer very good advice. What is particularly important to you?
It is particularly important for a consultation that we respond to the customer’s personal wishes so that they feel comfortable with us. We give them as honest an opinion as possible in order to meet their wishes.
Many retailers rely on online stores, but you are currently still focusing on the on-site experience. Why this approach?
We expect to add an online store at the end of the year. From the beginning, however, it is important to also have an on-site shop, as I personally enjoy playing board games and believe that there is a demand for a meeting place in the area. I have noticed that many young and older people have the desire to play in a group but cannot find a place to meet like-minded people.
Can I try out your games? Are there demo sets or introductory games for newcomers?
A big aspect of our store is that you can try out games in our store, which is very important to me. We also offer demo versions of almost all the games we sell for people to try out in our store. There are only a few exceptions where this is not possible, but as I said, this is rarely the case.
Game location & events:
Your store is also a gaming location. How exactly does that work?
We have a simple concept as a game location: you come by, take a game from the shelf in our games room on the second floor and play it for as long as you like, during opening hours or by arrangement. When you’ve finished, you put the game back on the shelf. If you want to play beyond opening hours, you can rent the room on the second floor. There is a small charge for this, but otherwise playing is free of charge.
What types of events do you organize regularly?
This month we are starting with tournaments for trading card games. Of course, we are also planning other events, such as a painting afternoon for special models. You can find all the news about future events in our store on our website or on social media.
Do you have any particular highlights or success stories from the community that you would like to share?
As we haven’t had many tournaments yet, it’s not possible at this stage of the interview to give any major highlights about the tournament events.
Future & Trends:
How do you see the future of stationary retail for tabletop and board games?
Of course, the future is more difficult for brick-and-mortar stores due to competition from online retail. Nevertheless, I am confident that things will go well because online retail cannot offer the community aspect. This aspect is crucial for tabletop board games and collectible card games. You don’t just buy a game, you also need other people to play with and want to get to know like-minded people. Our store offers exactly this opportunity.
Are there any new trends or games that you are particularly looking forward to?
One game I was very interested in is Halo Flashpoint. We already have this in our store. We will also expand our table top RPG selection. For example with Mörk/CY_Borg or the Black Eye.
What plans do you have for your store in the next few years?
We are planning more events and gaming opportunities for our growing community in the near future. An online store is also planned for the end of the year. All in all, I am hopeful.
Conclusion:
Is there anything else you would like to pass on to our readers?
We are very happy if you come by for a coffee and cake or a nice afternoon. Whether you want to play, paint or just chat – you are always welcome.
Where can people find you and your store if they want to drop by?
You can find us at Gelbinger Gasse 59 in Schwäbisch Hall. We are a little more hidden, but you will see our sign on the front as well as a small display as soon as the store is open. Our opening hours are during the week from 13:00 to 20:00 and on Saturdays from 10:00 to 15:00. Other times are also possible by arrangement. If you would like to rent a room or have questions about our opening hours and events, you are welcome to contact us via the e-mail address info@würfelgarten.com or via a contact form on our homepage.
Conclusion & thank you
It is always inspiring to see how much heart and soul goes into local games stores. Würfelgarten in Schwäbisch Hall is not just a store, but a meeting place for everyone who loves the hobby and wants to experience it together. So if you’re looking for a special game, good advice or an active community, you should definitely stop by!
A big thank you to the Würfelgarten team for the exciting interview and the insights into the Würfelgarten! I wish you continued success and many great rounds of games.
Greetings Sören Spieckermann
