Kayton is among a local group of enthusiasts who share a love for board games, miniatures, trading cards and role-playing games. For a while the only store catering to this crowd was Astral Games on Main Street, a satellite location for the same-named store in Medford.

When news of the local store’s closure broke in mid-2014, Kayton and others were dismayed and began contemplating what would become of their local gaming experience.

“We saw the players and we saw the people willing to be here, we just didn’t see the service being provided,” said Kayton.

With backing from fellow gamer Jason Poff, Kayton opened Basin Gaming on Sept. 24, 2014, at 932 Klamath Avenue. The store offered many of the same products as Astral Games including Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, Yu-Gi-Oh and other table-top games.

It wasn’t long before business started doing better than expected and, after the first eight months, Basin Gaming leased the storefront next door to better-accommodate players at their regular tournaments. Kayton said he is not particularly sure what led to the boost in their customer base, but suspects it had to do with one of their best-selling products, Magic: The Gathering cards.

Kayton said a popular set from the game was released in May of 2015 and likely helped drive business to the store. Though board games, other card games and collectibles do well, Kayton said Magic cards are the backbone of his business model between local sales and online purchases.

“Magic is the reason we can stay open,” he said.

Business continued to do well for Kayton following the expansion. More customers were coming in from off the street or after finding the store on Facebook, though not always for the services offered.

With a name like Basin Gaming, Kayton said more than a few people have dropped by looking for video games or a gambling venue.

“We’ve had people coming in saying, ‘Where’s the poker?'” he said.

They also found themselves involved in local events such as Comic Con at the Klamath County Library and Tech Con at Oregon Institute of Technology. Kayton said their participation will continue at these events, including Comic Con on Oct. 22. He said their involvement in Tech Con, slated for next January, may also assume a more administrative role to help the college achieve their vision of what the event should be.

As business kept growing into 2016, Basin Gaming again saw the need for expansion, this time contemplating the purchase of their own building. But Kayton said the business needed to have a longer history of operations before it could qualify for a real estate loan.

“We were just too new a business to make that a reality,” he said.

Kayton said he then saw a “For lease” sign at the old location of Tequila’s Sports Bar & Grill at 1111 Main Street. After finding the terms of the lease agreeable and the property owners easy to work with, Basin Gaming started making plans to move up the block.

With help from employees and loyal customers, the store’s inventory was moved into their new location the week of Sept. 19 and they were open for business that Wednesday. Kayton said the transition has been “seamless” and, being in a more visible location, business has already started to improve.

“We’ve had more walk-ins in the last week than we’ve probably had all year,” he said.

He also said the other stores on that end of the street compliment each other, between Nerds R Us drawing the gaming demographic and Jump ‘N’ Jax bringing families to the block.

“This little area right here has a lot of synergy,” said Kayton.

But even in the midst of starting and growing a local business, Kayton has continued to work as an educator for the Klamath County School District, where he currently works full-time as the band instructor for six elementary schools in and near Klamath Falls. Kayton said balancing the two can be a challenge, but said it is easier because of how much he enjoys the environment Basin Gaming has created.

“This is such a fun thing to come and do and interact with people,” he said of the store. “I look forward to coming here.”

If business continues growing, Kayton said he wants to begin offering video games and access to online and virtual reality gaming in a setting similar to an internet cafe. He said a satellite store of their own may also be in the future, but that all relies on how the new location performs.

“It really depends on how it is received,” he said.

Kayton said his ultimate goal is to provide a space for the gaming community that is open and inviting, both to beginners and veteran gamers. He said, if a new customer were to walk into his store, he hopes they find themselves forming new relationships with fellow players.

“If you’re willing to come here and give a game a try, you’ll definitely make friends,” he said.

A grand opening to celebrate Basin Gaming’s new location is scheduled for Saturday and will feature sales on all products except individual cards. The store is open from 2 to 10 p.m. and those seeking more information can call 541-238-5159 or go towww.basingaming.com.

To read this article and others on the H&N website, please refer to the link below:

Gaming Business Finds Magic Formula (Herald and News)