Lifelong tabletop fan Daniel Cella wanted a true home base for gamers in his hometown, not just a retail counter. He launched Red Seal Gaming in Matawan with a community-first mindset—stocking the staples and, more importantly, building out tables for minis, cards, and board games. Instead of charging for seats, he focused on creating a welcoming space where people could learn, play, and meet. That simple idea—fun first, sales second—became the store’s foundation.
The business is a local game store called Red Seal Gaming. They specialize in card games, miniature tabletop games, and board games, offering other elements of these hobbies like painting and assembling. A significant aspect of their business is providing assembly space with six tables for wargaming and over 80 seats for board and card games. They host events almost daily, including tournaments, competitions, and casual get-togethers (like ordering pizza and hanging out). They also have Dungeons & Dragons groups regularly. Daniel emphasizes that they do not charge for event space, believing that when people have fun, they will reward the business with their business.
Capital is a problem for small businesses, and "Revenued is helping us grow." Daniel highly recommends talking to them, stating that while they don't know an individual's financial situation, Revenued helped their business. He suggests at the very least calling to find out, as it's likely to be beneficial, especially for small businesses. Furthermore, he notes that big banks often require three years in business, and many small businesses don't even make it past six months, making it difficult to secure funding from traditional sources. Daniel knows "Revenued would help."
The gaming industry extends beyond digital entertainment into thriving local game stores that serve as community hubs for tabletop, card, and miniature gaming. Shops like Red Seal Gaming not only sell games and supplies but also provide event space for tournaments, role-playing campaigns, and casual gatherings that foster loyal customer communities. Running a game store requires significant investment in inventory, event hosting, and space maintenance, making reliable funding crucial for growth. With board games, trading card games, and tabletop RPGs continuing to rise in popularity, local stores that combine retail with community-driven experiences are well-positioned to succeed.