the city - the store - the club

[kernbanks]

Hello all...

i'm hitting a fork in the road. before i make a life descision i'm going to ask a few questions - hopefully you all can push some decent info my way.

Dekalb, what's it like. I grew-up in Joliet, so i'm familiar enough with the area, but since then have been living and working around the world, europe, africa, middle east, south pacific... it has been almost 5 years since i was state side - over 10 since i lived in chicago land. alot has probably changed. so what is the area like, the students, the atmosphere... is the recession i'm reading about in the news hitting the area? what industry exists? are businesses / factoories / closing?

On-board Games, what is your opinion of the store? which direction is it heading? how's the stock, the staff, the service, the location, size? how much business does everyone push that way? what competition exists? what is the stores foot print? does chicago land steal away?

The Club, how many people play in the greater Dekalb area? is the club exclusively university or do a lot of locals fill the ranks as well? how many events are ran weekly? monthly? what is the club's foot print - how far do people come to play?

thanks...
Kernbanks

[Andrew]

I can tell you confidently about the club at least.

We have an average attendence of 10-12 during school time, with that dropping to about 4 during summer. The majority of the players come from the university, but some are locals (who've graduated). We meet every week on Thursdays for general gaming, but if someone wants to set up a special event for the week they are more than welcome to. So far as tournaments, the club runs one every semester at least, while OBG holds one every month or so. People come from about 1-2 hours away tops to play for these events.

And you are always welcome to join and play. We invite everybody.

[Leudast1215]

For what it's worth I can offer my $0.2 on Dekalb proper: relatively small size even with the college campus, lots of corn fields (which aren't being planted due to bad weather I hear... poor farmers), atmosphere that I've gathered is pretty laid back, but some ass holes on campus have thought it funny to post bogus bomb threats since the Feb 14th shootings. Downtown Dekalb has pretty much nothing to offer because it's been over-shadowed by the area springing up around the Super-Walmart. The area directly around campus though has stuff to offer. The only factory closing that I've heard of has been the Horse slaughter house. One side of dekalb seems to be home to gang activity while another portion is home to people probably of middle-class status who drive ridiculously long hours in order to own a larger home away from the Chicago land area. If you're going to move in now would be the best time as any considering the housing market and Dekalb wasn't expensive before.

[RARE CHOICE GAMES]

Downtown Dekalb does have some good things to offer. First, there are a couple of decent restaurants in that area and Second probably the two best bars (Otto's and the Annex) in Dekalb are also in Downtown Dekalb. Unless you are into fast food there isnt much out by walmart. In my opinion.

On-Board Games: The store has really nice laid back atmosphere that is great for casual gaming. I havent attended NIU in over a year now and one of the owners (John) still talks to me whenever I come as if I never left. They also seem to be adding more things to cater to their customers demands which is a good thing. John does a really good job of offering tournaments/events on a regular basis. Great store, best I have ever been had the priviledge of being a patron at.

NIMGC a.k.a. the club: Though I havent attended regularily in about a year...the club was probably one of the most positive aspects of my stay at NIU. It is full of laid back guys/gals that are into the hobby more for fun than for competition but we also hold tournaments semesterly (hopefully in the future more often) for our more competitive players. It also is a great atmosphere to learn as we have some really awesome painters in the group (Adam H. and Andrew K. spring to mind) Both who have won awards, one at Gen-Con for Privateer Press stuff and the other at Adepticon for Battlefleet Gothic stuff. I highly suggest stopping by a club meeting and just getting to know some of our members. Some of the people who I consider my good friends I met because of the club.

[siriq]

interesting questions, cant say much about the city, but the club is a good group of players. We try to make the game fun for everyone that plays. We organize leagues and mega battles, and i must say they are some of the best games i have played.

obg is a good store with a good atmosphere and good people.