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| an Outstanding Products Group company 62 S. Broadway, Pitman, NJ 08071 Copyright © 2004 -2010 All rights reserved. Telephone: 856-740-0507 |
| Owner/CEO Stephen |
A Pitman chess store owner has all the right moves
By Carly Romalino
July 10, 2009, 12:30PM
A Pitman store that specialized in chess products and board games, All the King's Men, has gained
attention from chess enthusiasts
By Carly Romalino
July 10, 2009, 12:30PM
A Pitman store that specialized in chess products and board games, All the King's Men, has gained
attention from chess enthusiasts
Stephen Dick's decision to open a store in Pitman was calculated like a chess move.
All the King's Men, a store that specializes in chess products and board games, began five years ago
as an online store. The Web business, that Dick said earned $40,000 to $50,000 a year in profits,
yielded enough revenue to open the brick and mortar shop on Broadway, that opened in 2007.
"Most people do it the other way around," Dick said, noting that many companies start as physical
shops, and later develop a Web presence. "I thought this was better because most people would open
a store then a Web site. So I had a steady income built in. In this economy, it has certainly helped to
keep me afloat."
Chess boards and pieces in Dick's store range from $6 basic plastic sets to $60 weighted plastic sets.
He also sells themed and heirloom sets that can cost hundreds of dollars, as well as an assortment of
board games that might not be found on the shelf in Wal-Mart or Target.
The store, he said, has evolved into a 'center,' where patrons can purchase items, while they learn
chess, test games during game nights, or congregate with other All the King's Men Chess Club
members.
"We have a fairly good selection of card games that are family oriented, and really off the wall stuff that
people who are into games know," he said. "If most people haven't seen it on TV or seen it on the shelf
at Wal-Mart, they don't know it. So I hold game night to introduce people to these things."
Although he can explain how to play every game in the store - from German and Ancient strategy games
to Scrabble-like word puzzles - he described himself as more of an athelete than someone who enjoyed
sitting face-to-face with opponents around a table. However, his first chess set - where he learned to
play the game - is kept in the store.
All the King's Men, a store that specializes in chess products and board games, began five years ago
as an online store. The Web business, that Dick said earned $40,000 to $50,000 a year in profits,
yielded enough revenue to open the brick and mortar shop on Broadway, that opened in 2007.
"Most people do it the other way around," Dick said, noting that many companies start as physical
shops, and later develop a Web presence. "I thought this was better because most people would open
a store then a Web site. So I had a steady income built in. In this economy, it has certainly helped to
keep me afloat."
Chess boards and pieces in Dick's store range from $6 basic plastic sets to $60 weighted plastic sets.
He also sells themed and heirloom sets that can cost hundreds of dollars, as well as an assortment of
board games that might not be found on the shelf in Wal-Mart or Target.
The store, he said, has evolved into a 'center,' where patrons can purchase items, while they learn
chess, test games during game nights, or congregate with other All the King's Men Chess Club
members.
"We have a fairly good selection of card games that are family oriented, and really off the wall stuff that
people who are into games know," he said. "If most people haven't seen it on TV or seen it on the shelf
at Wal-Mart, they don't know it. So I hold game night to introduce people to these things."
Although he can explain how to play every game in the store - from German and Ancient strategy games
to Scrabble-like word puzzles - he described himself as more of an athelete than someone who enjoyed
sitting face-to-face with opponents around a table. However, his first chess set - where he learned to
play the game - is kept in the store.
Staff photo by Jonathan Wells Stephen Arnold Dick, owner of All the King's Men, stands by theme and heirloom chess sets in his Pitman store. |
| Staff photo by Jonathan Wells Jason Bastie, 11, of Pitman, plays chess during a chess club session Tuesday. |
"There was no real profound reason why I
picked chess," he said. "I came across
chess and it didn't leap right out at me."
But online research and how-to books
pointed him straight toward what he said is
"certainly a niche market."
picked chess," he said. "I came across
chess and it didn't leap right out at me."
But online research and how-to books
pointed him straight toward what he said is
"certainly a niche market."
"I read through all the gurus' books and it basically got pretty simple. The formula was, 'Don't sell
products that people can get at Wal-Mart or Best Buy,'" he said. "Don't sell those products because you
won't be able to compete."
The Web site started with a very narrow focus, and offered only the themed and heirloom chess sets that
were not found in stores in the Philadelphia-South Jersey region, he said. Now, All the King's men sees
patrons from Pennsylvania, South and Central New Jersey.
"It's a nice combination of a chess store and people who like to play the game," said Steve Leverich, of
Ridley Park, Pa., an All the King's Men chess club member. "You don't find many chess stores run like
Steve's."
Leverich regularly makes the 25-mile trip from Pennsylvania to Pitman to challenge other club members
to Tuesday afternoon games. This week, he played Pitman resident Ira Fine.
"(The store) is within walking distance," Fine said. "Kills two birds with one stone - I come here and get
my exercise, then I exercise my mind ... It's kind of unique. You don't see too many places that combine
what he's done here."
-----
All the King's Men
62 S. Broadway, Pitman
(856) 582-8222
Registered All the King's Men Chess Club members can challenge eat other to chess matches from 11
a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Thursdays, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
Test new board games or bring one from home from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. every first and third Wednesday.
Must be at least 21 years old. Permitted to bring your own bottle to the event. A $5 cover charge includes
admission, food and non-alcoholic beverage.
All the King's Men also offers a Chess Academy an Chess Camp for adults and children. Call the store
for more information.
products that people can get at Wal-Mart or Best Buy,'" he said. "Don't sell those products because you
won't be able to compete."
The Web site started with a very narrow focus, and offered only the themed and heirloom chess sets that
were not found in stores in the Philadelphia-South Jersey region, he said. Now, All the King's men sees
patrons from Pennsylvania, South and Central New Jersey.
"It's a nice combination of a chess store and people who like to play the game," said Steve Leverich, of
Ridley Park, Pa., an All the King's Men chess club member. "You don't find many chess stores run like
Steve's."
Leverich regularly makes the 25-mile trip from Pennsylvania to Pitman to challenge other club members
to Tuesday afternoon games. This week, he played Pitman resident Ira Fine.
"(The store) is within walking distance," Fine said. "Kills two birds with one stone - I come here and get
my exercise, then I exercise my mind ... It's kind of unique. You don't see too many places that combine
what he's done here."
-----
All the King's Men
62 S. Broadway, Pitman
(856) 582-8222
Registered All the King's Men Chess Club members can challenge eat other to chess matches from 11
a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Thursdays, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
Test new board games or bring one from home from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. every first and third Wednesday.
Must be at least 21 years old. Permitted to bring your own bottle to the event. A $5 cover charge includes
admission, food and non-alcoholic beverage.
All the King's Men also offers a Chess Academy an Chess Camp for adults and children. Call the store
for more information.
Shop Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11 AM - 6 PM
Wednesday: 2 PM - 8 PM
Thursday: 2 PM - 10 PM
Friday: 2 PM - 10 PM
Saturday: 10 AM - 6 PM (10 AM - 8 PM when there's a show in town)
Sunday: 1 PM - 5 PM
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11 AM - 6 PM
Wednesday: 2 PM - 8 PM
Thursday: 2 PM - 10 PM
Friday: 2 PM - 10 PM
Saturday: 10 AM - 6 PM (10 AM - 8 PM when there's a show in town)
Sunday: 1 PM - 5 PM
