Amy Bartner

amy.bartner@indystar.com

An Australian board game company is opening its first U.S. shop in Downtown Indianapolis.

The store,111 S. Meridian St., is the 26th location for Good Games, a store that specializes in "Euro-style" board games, such as the popular Settlers of Catan.

"You can forget Monopoly, though we'll probably have that, too," Good Games U.S. general manager Rob Teirney said. "We're talking more sophisticated games — terrifically social, strategic games."

Most of the 3,500-square-foot store will be used for gaming space and events.

"People have an opportunity to play the games they've bought from us," Teirney said. "We sort of see ourselves as more of a community hub."

That is why most Good Games shops are located in downtown cities that were, before now, only in Australia. Indianapolis will be no different, he said. He expects professionals to stop by on their lunch break or after work.

"That's really what distinguishes us from other stores," he said. "It's quite rare for a game store in the United States to have such a central location."

The rest of the store will be retail, like Magic: The Gathering cards, Star Wars collectible miniatures and a library to allow people to try out a game before buying.

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"That might seem counterintuitive, but if people like a game, they’ll generally buy it," he said.

111 S. Meridian St. was home to Brenner Luggage from 1914 to 2001, before it moved its location to the Northside.

But why use Indianapolis to break into the U.S. market?

"We wanted somewhere reasonably central for our first store," Teirney said. "It's got quite a storied past in gaming. Indianapolis is really known for events and happenings. It's got a quite a strong pull for us. I guess emotionally people think of it as a gaming town.

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That said, Good Games won't be open in time for Gen Con, the four-day gaming convention that begins Aug. 4 at the Indianapolis Convention Center. The store's construction is likely to be finished that week, but the opening is not expected until Aug. 15.

"Gaming has really broadened its appeal now," Teirney said. "It's mums and dads and families."

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