Good Postage owner Jane Manfredi is preparing to open Good Game at 701 Keswick Avenue, Suite 103, with the new board game and trading card shop targeting an opening during the first weekend of September.
The concept marks Manfredi’s second business at Camp North End, but she said the decision wasn’t about opening another Good Postage.
“I was initially hesitant to open a second Good Postage because I didn’t want to take anything away from our current community,” Manfredi told WhatNow Charlotte. “It’s kind of daunting to build that up a second time.”
Instead, the idea grew from her own interest in tabletop gaming. After visiting game shops throughout the East Coast, she realized Charlotte was missing a space that felt welcoming to newcomers while still offering something for experienced hobbyists.
“We would go into shops in different cities when we were visiting, and I thought Charlotte really needs this, and I think we could do it really well,” she said.
Good Game will stock classic board and card games, titles from independent publishers, trading cards and gaming accessories. Beyond retail, the store will host learn-to-play sessions, game nights and educational programming designed to introduce customers to new games while creating opportunities for people to gather.
“If there’s a challenging board game, we’re going to have learn-to-play nights,” Manfredi said. “If the community is really excited about one particular game, we’ll have game nights where we all play that same game and kind of nerd out about it.”
Manfredi believes Good Game builds on the same philosophy that has helped Good Postage thrive: encouraging people to disconnect from technology and reconnect with one another.
“People want to get off a screen,” she said. “Games have a similar purpose. If you’re with your family and don’t want to look at a screen, you can play a game together and connect with people in a different way.”
She also hopes the shop changes perceptions of what a neighborhood game store can be.
“I really want Good Game to be welcoming to beginners as well as very experienced board game and card players,” Manfredi said, noting that many hobby game stores can feel intimidating to newcomers. Community tables outside the store, inspired by the journaling bar at Good Postage, will give guests a place to gather, play and spend time together.
“I think the Charlotte community really comes out and wants an alternative thing to do,” Manfredi added. “People want to learn new things and try new things just for the sake of trying them.”
While she isn’t planning another expansion just yet, Manfredi said she’s staying open to future opportunities as Good Game finds its footing.
