The News
Featured headlines from in and around Sherman County.
Sherman County Business Spotlight
Welcome to the Sherman County Business Spotlight!
We'll feature stories about local entrepreneurs, highlight unique products and services, and showcase the diverse and dynamic business community that calls Sherman County home.
Follow along to discover hidden gems, support local businesses, and stay connected to what's happening in our community. This will be sent out on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month.
GAME ON: IT’S PLAYTIME AT GOODLAND GAMES
Games are serious business for Mike, and the goal is to make sure everyone has fun playing at Goodland Games. Mike’s shop is stocked with all kinds of games, and there is no charge to come in and play.
“We’ve got a ton of demo games. Pick one out,” Mike said. “If you don't know how to play it, somebody in the shop will teach you.”
“It’s very friendly, very open, very welcoming,” said Sarah, age 23, who hangs out at the shop a couple nights a week.
Sarah says the shop makes it easy to try out a wide variety of fun options.
“Huge, huge selection,” Sarah said. "And even if you don’t get the game here, you can still bring it in, and they can show you how to play it.”
William, age 18, likes coming to the shop to play Magic: The Gathering. Like several other customers, he refers to Mike as “Boss.”
“I enjoy coming here because it’s relaxing and quite fun to just come play,” William said. “If I have a few questions, I can ask Boss.”
FUN AND GAMES
Mike says some games that get a lot of play include Kingdomino, Planet, Escape the Dark Castle, Liar’s Dice and Catan – and there is always room for new players.
“We had a Catan tournament just recently, and the three of the players who were in it had learned the game just two days before, because we sat down and I talked to them,” Mike said. “They loved it… they've come back and played it three times since.”
Mike has lots of classics available, but says part of the fun is discovering new games.
“Monkey Palace is definitely one to try,” he said. “Kids can play and everything, but you get a group of adults playing, and it gets good. I mean, it gets real good.”
Another new favorite is Modern Problems Require Medieval Solutions.
“You're presented with a modern problem, and you’ve got a handful of cards, each with medieval solutions to the problem,” Mike explained. “Maybe I ‘Drop a bag of bees and gallop away,’ or ‘Seduce them with my enticing, masculine wiles.’ It's hilarious.”
GAME NIGHTS
Mike says board games are just the beginning of the adventure. Each night, Goodland Games offers a place to gather for all kinds of competition and comradery.
“Mondays, we do Dungeons and Dragons. We have a good group in here for that one,” Mike said.
“Tuesdays, from 4-6:30 p.m., kids have free reign. They play a Bible verse game called Animo, they play Pokémon,” he said.
“After that, we have Magic: The Gathering for beginners – for anybody who wants to come in, learn the game, see what it's all about,” Mike explained. “Tuesday night is the perfect time.”
On Wednesdays, the tables are open for gamers to try their hand at other challenges. Rebekah, age 13, enjoys Dungeons and Dragons, and has used that time to paint a tiny figure for the game.
On Thursdays, players gather for a large-scale strategy game called Star Wars Legion.
“That is that's the only night it's hard to get a table because these games are big, but they are amazingly cool to see,” Mike said.
Friday nights, there is a group that plays Magic: The Gathering, and a Dungeons and Dragons group for kids, run by John Simmons.
“The guy’s amazing, he's very engaging with the kids. He's very patient with them. He does a phenomenal job,” said Mike. “I love working with him.”
Saturday afternoons, from 2-3:30 p.m., the shop hosts a board game camp that is just for kids.
“They play whatever demos we've got, and I make sure the shop is kids only,” Mike explained. “It's $5. They get snacks. They get drinks. They have a blast.”
On Saturday nights, the shop hosts special events highlighting new options and timeless classics.
“You never know what we're going to do. Sometimes, it's the new card game Star Wars Unlimited. We're going doing a Scrabble tournament. And a Gran Blue Fantasy tournament. It’s a tactical game based off a video game,” Mike explained. “It's very new, so I'm interested to see how the players take to it.”
THE QUEST
The biggest challenge, Mike says, is getting people to come explore.
“A lot of people, they think board games. They think Monopoly, Life… but the world of board games has shifted so dynamically in the last 20 years,” said Mike. “There's a game for everyone. The hard part is just getting people in the door.”
Goodland Games isn’t on Main Avenue, or right next to the interstate, but Mike says a lot of the core players like being off the beaten path.
“We play loud, rowdy games -- party games like Code Name. We don't have to worry about disturbing the neighbors. That's a big thing,” Mike explained. “People are nice, loud, rowdy, and they have a blast.”
The location also has other strategic advantages.
“We're right underneath the giant Van Gogh,” Mike explained.
“We get so many people who come to see the Van Gogh and say, ‘Hey, there's a game store here. We got to check it out,’” he said. “It happens more than you think, especially in the summer.”
Mike says he uses those stops to encourage tourists to visit more of Goodland.
“I always tell them, check out Good Grounds Coffee & Bistro if you're on the road. Check out Mom's Kitchen if you're looking for some good home cooked meals. If you want really good baked goods, go to Terra Bona… I try to mention every place in town because it's awesome.”
TEAM PLAYER
Since opening the game store, Mike has joined forces with other local businesses, creating opportunities for each to advance.
Goodland Games has hosted special video game tournaments at the historic Sherman Theater – where competitors can face off on the big screen.
You can even book a private party at the theater, with games provided by Mike. For a recent birthday party, the kids played Mario Kart 8 on the biggest course they’d ever seen.
“If anybody wants to schedule a birthday party, please call,” Mike said. “The kid had the best time of his life.”
Goodland Games has also organized special events for adults and families, including movie screenings at the theater, date nights at the shop that are catered by local companies, and crafting events at local eateries.
“We've done paint nights at Westport on Main. We've done some we've glazed glass, which was really cool,” Mike said. “I mean, they were gorgeous.”
Mike also makes it his personal business to shop local.
“Whenever we get flowers or potpourri for the shop, we always hit both Designs Unlimited and Fork and Hay,” Mike said. “Their styles are completely different, which is even better, because we can do a bit of both worlds. We love seeing it, we love sharing it.”
Business owners in Goodland are quick to help each other out, Mike says. Many have also donated prizes for different tournaments and competitions.
“Let’s see, Black Hide Beef, Brick By Brick Constructive Play... we've had all sorts of places just donate and want us to succeed.”
CHALLENGES AND REWARDS
Mike knew opening the game store was a big risk -- and says it hasn’t always been easy.
“I decided to put everything on the line and open the game store,” Mike said. “It's been hard, but it's not a regret.”
There have been difficult times, when Mike admits he thought about giving up – but he says the customers wouldn’t allow it.
“I was downright broken, and they've brought me back to it,” Mike shared. “I talked to everybody, and they said, ‘No, you can't close.’”
Customers have been his most valued asset, supporting the shop not just with their purchases, but also their time. Mike says they are always willing to help – some even take over operations at the shop when he can’t.
“I gotta tell you, it's a very big comfort to know that I can hand my shop over my customers when I need to,” Mike shared.
“There's no bigger feeling than that, because that means there's a trust there that we've built that transcends just games,” Mike said. “It's a community at this point.”
And he believes playing games together benefits the whole community.
“It's all about strategy, competition, fair sportsmanship… and those are values that we hold near and dear,” Mike explained. “And one thing I can say is, this community has been the absolute best I've ever seen.”
For Mike, that means quitting the game is not an option.
“We’ve built a gaming community here… I want to see that community grow.”
THE NEXT LEVEL
For Mike, the next move is all about getting more people in the game – and he has more than 200 in his shop.
“We encourage people to at least give a game of shot. And if it's not for you, it might not just be the right game,” Mike said. “Everybody's playing different games. Everybody's having fun.”
Mike is also hoping to form new alliances with some real-life heroes in the community.
“I'm hoping to work more closely with other people, especially educators in the town, to show them the gaming is more than just playing video games on screen,” Mike explained. “When you sit down at a board game or a card game, unlike a video game, where it's online, you have accountability for your actions, because it's face to face. You have to show decorum.”
Mike also plans host an expanding variety of special events at the shop.
“To see people enjoying the space, having fun, the smiles, the laughter, that's the best part.”
The goal is clear, Mike says, and it’s not about “winning.”
“It's about people enjoying life, and right now, they need it more than ever.”
Goodland Games
1907 Cherry Ave, Goodland, KS 67735
(785) 253-3755
Owner: Michael Jordan
Open Monday-Thursday from 4:30-9 p.m., Fridays from 4:30-10:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 2:30-10:30 p.m.
Comments and questions can be sent to anicapadilla@outlook.com
