As such, Bilbrey opened Strategic Mind Games in June.
Strategic Mind Games is a game store in Conroe that offers board games ranging from Dungeons & Dragons and Warhammer 40,000 to Pokemon. The business also offers customers the opportunity to paint their own miniature gaming figures and provides space for customers to play their games or host their meetups at the business.
“We had a board game group that was meeting at Denny’s,” Bilbrey said. “They found out about us and decided to start [hosting their meetings] here.”
Bilbrey said there has been a lot of trial and error when bringing different games into the store. He said he learned by word of mouth what the gaming community was liking and what was not as popular.
“The first rule is just because you think something is cool, doesn’t mean other people think it’s cool,” Bilbrey said.
However, Bilbrey said his favorite tabletop and war strategy game, Warhammer 40,000, happens to be a popular game that the community has taken to. Warhammer 40,000 is a miniature game on tabletop that is set in a battlefield theme.
Within the community, Bilbrey said the average age of those who frequent the shop is 20-35 years old.
Bilbrey said the biggest challenge since opening Strategic Mind Games has been getting the word out that the business is open. He said he hopes to begin hosting weekly events and tournaments for the gaming community to come together and enjoy.
“Sometimes it’s hard because I’ll have a game I want to play but no friends want to play it with me,” Bilbrey said. “Then you show up here [at the business] and you end up making friends.”
Strategic Mind Games
1205 Grand Central Parkway, Ste. 500, Conroe
936-539-6463
www.strategicmindgames.com
Hours: Mon.-Thu. 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-midnight, Sun. noon-8 p.m.
