<p>In this episode, we're talking with Lex, owner of <a href="https://www.chicagolandgames.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><em>Chicagoland Games: Dice Dojo</em></a> in Chicago, Illinois. This episode was recorded live at Dragon Con 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.</p> <p><br /></p> <p>The store was born in 2008 after a store Lex worked at called <em>Gamers Paradise</em> went out of business. He's been a gamer since youth, with his first love being <em>Dungeons &amp; Dragons</em>. The store sports 3,000 board games in their lending library for free, with 50% of the store occupied by tables and chairs.</p> <p><br /></p> <p><em>Chicagoland Games: Dice Dojo</em> is more than just board games. According to Lex, they cater to all the giant fandoms. For example, we're told that they sell as much <em>Warhammer 40,000</em> as they do <em>Magic: The Gathering</em>. However, EDH is their biggest night in terms of gaming. Moreover, they provide weekly open play and "learn how to play" nights for various games.</p> <p><br /></p> <p>Conventions are another aspect of the business and something Lex enjoys going to. He says it's his way of re-engaging why you do what you do. This is evident by his more than a decade of attendance at <em>Dragon Con</em>. 2024 marks his twelfth year vending.</p> <p><br /></p> <p>While he has ten employees and two managers, Lex concedes that "staffing is hard." Employees specialize, but with the volume of online orders incoming, everyone needs to do a little of everything. Scaling is challenging when factoring in the number of products that come in a year and deciding what to buy. This is where Lex says you "read the room" and pay attention to what your audience wants.</p> <p><br /></p> <p>In addition to dealing with shipments as his primary responsibility, Lex holds events at breweries and libraries and hosts <em>Dungeons &amp; Dragons</em> birthday parties, all to help facilitate the growth of gaming.</p>

The Match Slip

Frank Angelone

Chicagoland Games: Dice Dojo With Store Owner, Lex

OCT 14, 202452 MIN
The Match Slip

Chicagoland Games: Dice Dojo With Store Owner, Lex

OCT 14, 202452 MIN

Description

<p>In this episode, we're talking with Lex, owner of <a href="https://www.chicagolandgames.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><em>Chicagoland Games: Dice Dojo</em></a> in Chicago, Illinois. This episode was recorded live at Dragon Con 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.</p> <p><br /></p> <p>The store was born in 2008 after a store Lex worked at called <em>Gamers Paradise</em> went out of business. He's been a gamer since youth, with his first love being <em>Dungeons &amp; Dragons</em>. The store sports 3,000 board games in their lending library for free, with 50% of the store occupied by tables and chairs.</p> <p><br /></p> <p><em>Chicagoland Games: Dice Dojo</em> is more than just board games. According to Lex, they cater to all the giant fandoms. For example, we're told that they sell as much <em>Warhammer 40,000</em> as they do <em>Magic: The Gathering</em>. However, EDH is their biggest night in terms of gaming. Moreover, they provide weekly open play and "learn how to play" nights for various games.</p> <p><br /></p> <p>Conventions are another aspect of the business and something Lex enjoys going to. He says it's his way of re-engaging why you do what you do. This is evident by his more than a decade of attendance at <em>Dragon Con</em>. 2024 marks his twelfth year vending.</p> <p><br /></p> <p>While he has ten employees and two managers, Lex concedes that "staffing is hard." Employees specialize, but with the volume of online orders incoming, everyone needs to do a little of everything. Scaling is challenging when factoring in the number of products that come in a year and deciding what to buy. This is where Lex says you "read the room" and pay attention to what your audience wants.</p> <p><br /></p> <p>In addition to dealing with shipments as his primary responsibility, Lex holds events at breweries and libraries and hosts <em>Dungeons &amp; Dragons</em> birthday parties, all to help facilitate the growth of gaming.</p>