No products in the cart.
Weekly Store Update: 13 October
It looks like the perpetual downward trend in our nation's financial situation has caught up with us. We cannot hide from the truth any longer and must make immediate changes. Check out this week's newsletter to find out what's going on.
INTO EACH LIFE SOME RAIN MUST FALL
When I was in my teens, I lived on a farm twelve miles from my best friend. During the summers and while school was out, we'd cycle to each other's houses and help each other with chores. Several times a month a bunch of us would meet at the town park or at a friend's house and play basketball or touch football. I didn't think of it until years later, but one of those basketball games would turn out to be our very last one together...and we didn't know it at the time. Young, happy, and living forever in that moment.
That story came to me recently as I was preparing to write this newsletter, because last week's newsletter will turn out to be the very last one of that type we will ever publish, and I didn't know it at the time.
Early this week our accountant laid out the Q3 results versus projections and we’re just not going to be able to carry on as we had. We are not ‘going out of business’, per se, but we are eliminating the majority of our operational footprint. Basically, between now and January 1st, we will have either sold or donated everything in our store except for Magic the Gathering and our upcoming Kickstarter games. We're also transitioning to an online-only entity. So, the store name will be carried for at least another year - but it will be primarily to move the Kickstarter games. Which we anticipate will come few and far between.
Honestly this whole thing came as an absolute shock. Maybe it’s because I was hoping against hope that we could pull thru. Maybe I was brushing the previous reports with rainbows and sparkles - but I cannot deny the truth anymore. I'm still a little numb.
Next, I need to develop a detailed exit plan, which I intend on publishing here next week. It will involve several sales, storefront closure dates, and the like. Since you have been hanging with us all these years through these newsletters, I'm thinking of making at least one of those sales specifically for this audience.
One thing I can say right now is we will honor the current list of preorders. We'll not add to the list, but what's showing on our preorders page is what we're going to fulfill. If that changes, we'll contact you directly.
Also, please don't feel too bad for us. We are happy in the fact we gave it our all. We didn't leave anything on the table and ran this business exactly as we wanted. Like the Office quote states, not everything is a lesson, sometimes you just fail. Also, we know that failure in one thing is just an avenue to try something else. We look forward to whatever that may be.
So, until next week's newsletter, we going to continue running things as we always have. After all, we had some preorders arrive this week. We just can't stop on a dime. We hope you continue to shop as you had been, we will continue to serve. Next week I'll lay out what the next few months will look like, and we'll go from there. Talk to you soon!
New Items
Sorry, we couldn't find any products. Please try a different search.
Really sorry to hear this. It’s a great store and puts the “F” in FLGS, but I think we’ve also gotten to know you both over the years reading these newsletters. I looked forward to them every week, and not because of anything game related. I have no doubt you all will land on your feet.
Thanks Dave! Yes, we’re a bit shell shocked still, but we’re hopeful for the future. Onward and upward, right?! –Eric
So sorry to hear this, I’ve only discovered SVG last year but have been a loyal fan since then, love the handwritten notes that come with the packages. I also enjoyed all the newsletters and am always looking forward to the next event! 🙂 Will keep supporting whatever comes next, onward and upward!
Thanks Phillip, we appreciate it! –Eric
So sad to read this. You are #1 game shop in my book always
We definitely appreciate it Geoff! –Eric
Sorry to hear your run is coming to an end in this format! 🙁 I was a bit worried after the “trip report” where you noted distributors were unable/unwilling to provide any better terms to you.
I have LOVED the excellent service from SVG and the special greetings in packages. It is a shame you will no longer be bringing up the level of customer service in the board game / RPG retail industry!
All the best for your continued journey!
Thanks Matt! We’ll still have those kickstarters coming in next year, but yes, that will be a shadow of this iteration. It’s been a great ride, and we appreciate everything! –Eric
Sorry to hear this. I’m in the Seattle area, but have imagined several times “if” I’m ever in the area, it would be fun to stop by.
This was unexpected news – I wish you guys the best of luck with the transition, and whatever comes next.
Appreciate it Jesse! I know one thing, I’ll have to get a ‘real’ job again 😀 –Eric
Wow…very sorry to read the news. As you wrote, you gave it your best (or all). That’s what counts but still sorry you’ll need to revamp the business.
Yeah Terry, it’s basically going to transition to a full hustle business while I secure other work. The end of an era, but I’m looking forward to spending more time with the family! –Eric
From my first order early in COVID to now, you’ve been my first destination for online orders. I’ve never had the opportunity to visit in person, and I’m sorry things have taken this turn.
I hope you and yours are doing ok, and that you land as close to your feet as possible.
We appreciated the support too Adam! We’ll still have some kickstarter’s landing in the next several months, but yes – this business entity is fading to the back burner. I have no worries about our personal future though, it may not be in ‘our’ business, but we’re going to be fine. –Eric
Oh Man! I only found you a year or so ago and you quickly became my favorite online store to get my gaming stuff from. I am sorry to see you go and wish you the best of luck!
Thanks Brian! We’ll still have a Kickstarter game or two flow thru, but you’re right – the majority of what we do will fade away. We’re feeling good about the future though, and looking forward to what’s next. –Eric
You played a big part of us getting deep into the hobby! You will be greatly missed. Hope to see you around in some capacity. Maybe you can make it to a meet up now that you’ll have more time to play games. Thanks for everything!!
We’ve really enjoyed watching you grow in this hobby! I don’t know if I’ll even want to mess with board games for a time after this, quite honestly, but I appreciate the invite! –Eric
All the best to you. I echo what everyone else has said about your exemplary customer service.
This was a bit of a shock. In spite of brick-and-mortar game stores being a tough business, your online customer service was the best I have ever seen, particularly in being so responsive to your customers. Like others, Stone Valley Games was a major part of me getting back into board games — thank you! Best of luck to you and Wendy and I hope that transitioning to an online business brings you new opportunities; you more than deserve it.
Thanks so much! Yeah, we really enjoyed what we did, let me tell you. We’ll most likely transition this to a side hustle and pick up day jobs, but there are worse fates. Take care! –Eric
So sorry to hear! But glad you’ll still be around in some form
We sure will, at least a little bit. Thanks Jacob! –Eric
I echo everyone else, I was sad to read this news. Your store has been my #1 stop when looking for games outside of crowdfunding and I’m sad you will be no more.
Thanks for that! While we’ll still have some crowdfunding games coming in for a bit…it will be sad chasing down those weird retail board game titles 😀