How to Open a TCG Store

Follow 3 nerds as they turn a passion into a brick-and-mortar business!

If you’ve been with Pack Fresh for a while, you know us as an online shop for cards and collectibles. But now we’re taking the next step: opening a physical store. This blog series is our way of bringing you along for the ride, from the first idea to opening day.

Every serious hobbyist wonders if they could turn their passion into a living. Just consider how many of us have a friend with a photography side hustle. For trading card fans, the pinnacle of “living the dream” might be to own a local gaming store. Getting to create a space where people rip packs, talk cards, and make friends—what could be better?

Enter the phrase “Don’t quit your day job.” The competition is real: from big-box giants like Walmart, to massive platforms like Amazon and eBay, and don’t forget well-established e-commerce shops. On top of that, opening a physical store comes with its own hurdles: lease negotiations, upfront buildout costs, staffing, and the never-ending logistics of running a retail space.

Despite the difficulties, we’re chasing the owning our own gaming store dream. Follow us as we cover the fun (getting distribution!), the not-so-fun (negotiating lease agreements), and the grind in between as we open our first brick-and-mortar gaming store in Carrollton, Texas!

In our next post, we’ll break down the very first step: how to find the right space for your store.