Full-Time Retail Associate

Application Closes: October 2, 2026
Likely Start Date: October 26, 2026

Overview

Wolf Den Games, a small retailer of tabletop games and accessories based in Abingdon, VA, will open a new location in Christiansburg, VA in November 2026.  The new store will operate under its own branding as “Otter Creek Games”. 

We seek a tabletop hobbyist to be a full-time retail associate to work directly with our local store manager. The successful candidate will be flexible, creative, and prepared to dive right in. The opening of a new store means new cultural norms, new repeatable processes, and unexpected challenges.

This opportunity should interest people who would like the thrill of being part of “opening a new local game store”.  A week of work stocking shelves and preparing the space before a Nov 1 soft opening is expected. Your opinion will be valued and your role on the team is expected to be far more than just running the point of sale.

Initial team size anticipated to be the manager, one full-time retail associate and two or three part-time associates.

What We're Looking For

Required

• Minimum two years experience working in a consumer-facing role.

• Demonstrated familiarity with tabletop gaming culture, both nationally and locally.

• Product familiarity:  Our four “product pillars” are Board Games, Roleplaying Games, Trading Card Games, and Miniatures Games. The successful candidate will have deep product knowledge in at least one of these pillars and competent knowledge of two or more others.

• Availability: Evening and weekend hours required every week in addition to at least one or two morning shifts for product receiving, pricing, and stocking. You and the manager will work together to set your schedule, but expect it to be atypical and potentially irregular.

• Reliable personal transportation to the downtown Christiansburg location.

• Commitment to inclusive practices for underrepresented groups in our customer and player populations.  This includes women, neurodivergent people, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, people of color, ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities.

Preferred, not required

• Basic competence with office software: email, word processing, spreadsheets, and similar

• Existing ties to the New River Valley gaming community and the larger community of potential customers and collaborators.

• Basic business skill and technology familiarity: inventory, cash handling, common software

• Physical requirements: be able to lift and move inventory boxes

• Experience running organized play (GM/judge background, event hosting)

• Social media / content creation

Soft Skills 

• Demonstrate integrity by readily asking for help and keeping communication clear and honest.

• Be prepared for rare moments of conflict management.  Patience and kindness are key, paired with understanding of the code of conduct.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base pay: Annual Salary: $30,000 to $35,000.

• Schedule: 40 hours per week expected, overtime is paid but not anticipated. 

• Time Off: We insist you take 10 days of PTO per year.  Healthcare, illness, injury, or immediate family emergency will never draw from this pool. Does not expire. As a small team, our preference is to not surprise teammates without warning when taking PTO.

• Mandatory Fun: three hours per month of paid time doing professional development by playing games in our event spaces.

• Health Benefits: not currently offered.

• Profit Sharing: not currently offered

• Employee Discount: All full-time employees get the “owners discount” of 40% off all products. Exceptions: local artisan and other specified low-margin goods are 20% off.

Detailed Job Responsibilities

Retail Associate

Community Building

• Support Organized Play:  Undergo training and certification for organized play programs as needed. Ensure all promotional materials are distributed in keeping with the rules and in as fair and ethical a manner as is reasonable.

• Calendar Upkeep: Stay aware of calendar and space use every day, ensuring guests arrive in a space that is ready and welcoming. 

• Be Visible: Stay regularly engaged with the Discord Server, assist with posts on social media, and socialize at major events.

• Suggest New Ways to Connect: Keep your ear to the ground and help grow the ways that communities can happen at the store.

Product Logistics - Weekly

• Assist manager in verifying shipments for receiving.

• Apply price tags to newly received items.

• Store or stock newly received items on the retail floor

Operations - Daily

• People: Make all guests feel welcome, following Store Handbook guidelines

• Places: Maintain retail and event space to remain clean and in good repair

• Things: Ensure good price labeling, floor replenishment, and product storage

Operations - As Needed

• Assist with in-person special orders and take messages when necessary.

• Be familiar with product limits and other fair-allocation policies for high-demand products and hold the line if customers attempt to circumvent these policies.

• Facilitate organized play events as needed when no volunteer is designated

• Follow guidelines established by the manager to keep the space clean and well-maintained.

Other Duties as Assigned