But, having just said that ...
I like to support my local game stores because they support me. Doesn't mean I blindly buy everything from them, but some. Having a Regional at a game store adds something to it -- giving something back to store (directly or indirectly through sales), may get more support from store(s) because you are there and not off-site, adds some credibility to the event, gives players some shopping/browsing to look forward to (different stores carry different things), etc.
Which puts me into a self-imposed quandry.
We have two local stores. (Yeah, that's a real shame, isn't it?
) One (KK) is the local game store with shelf and play space with some internet sales; doesn't have singles sales. The other (NKG) is an internet seller who now has a storefront with some shelf space but no play space; has singles sales. Physically, they are very close to each other.
I've already contacted the first (KK) about holding our Regional there. He has hosted our play group since 2004 and continues to support us and is excited about a Regional.
Any suggestions from this group? ...
1. Leave it at that. Hold it at KK and only involve them. We will get booster prizes at a discount and everyone will get something -- booster(s), store credit, trophies, combination of the above.
2. Ask KK if we can get some singles sales, discount coupons for internet sales, other SW prizes, or something from NKG that won't clash with KK's offerings. I'd like to offer more prizes to participants, but don't want to be a jerk and rude to the host site.
3. Move it off-site for reasons in the prior post. Because we have a good local store cooperating with us, I don't think this is our best option.
4. some other option(s)