The fantasy genre contain a multitude of buildings, each with its own purpose and function. Each one plays a role in worldbuilding but there is one that may be counted among the top. In fact, the fantasy general store is so important since it sells all the basic necessities of life like food.
In fantasy, the general store is usually one of the first or last stops travelers go to in order to stock up on food and other items. In some cases, it’s also a great place to interact with the locals to find out what’s going on in town. You can even use this to introduce a plot point that can impact the story in a meaningful way.
The most important thing to think about when trying to figure out where to place a fantasy general store is its location. Since it appeals to both locals and travelers, it needs to be in an easily accessible spot. This shop takes up more space than many others and it needs to be in a high-visible spot, not tuckered away in a corner that only a few people know about.
The general store is open all year round and the merchandise it has on its shelves change with the seasons. In spring, it sells seeds so that farmers can plant crops whereas in fall, it carries scythes and other harvesting tools in case farmers need them. No matter what time of year it is, there will always be something to buy at the store!
Among the buildings, the fantasy general store is a main driver in the town/city’s economy. It provides jobs for its residents as well; it also deals with pretty much every other business in town since everyone needs something from time to time. Additionally, it’s also where people traveling on the road stop to restock on food and other things.
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Just like in the real world, the location where a store is can spell the difference between a prospering one and one that’s floundering. Of all the different types of shops, this especially applies to a fantasy general store. Thus, it’s crucial to find precisely the right spot for it.
But how do you know where that spot is? Think about it from the store’s perspective. It caters to both people on the road and the town/city’s dwellers. As such, it needs to be in an area that both groups are most likely to be in like the marketplace. The reason for this is that being in a high-profile place makes it more visible to its customers which helps increase the chances it’ll be successful.
Another likely area you’ll see a fantasy general store is right besides major road intersections. There’s a constant stream of traffic daily and securing a coveted spot at a major traveling corridor helps bring people in which in turn increases the number of items it sells everyday. Having more money can potentially lead to expansion in the future, allowing it to carry even more products!
Many general stores use signs that are easy to see from afar. Some use a combination of large signs anchored above the entryway and those that hang on the side whereas others use one or the other. The goal here is to raise its visibility and make it clear to all passersby what type of store they are.
A general store appears in every town and city. A rule of thumb is that all small towns have just one but when it comes to the city, well that’s a whole different story. How many general stores there are depends greatly on the size of the city. If it’s a small one, you might be able to get away with using just one but if it’s large and sprawled out, it would be better to have more than one. In these circumstances, you can have multiple shops, all owned by the same company.
The products a fantasy general store has on hand never remains the same all year long. Rather, it changes as time marches on. What you find during summertime will be replaced by a wholly different set of items during the cold months of the year. It changes products throughout the year to give their customers a reason to keep coming back.
Food is the number one reason why people go to the general store. Not everyone is a farmer which means they need to get food somewhere. That’s why the general store is their go-to. The shop itself carries a plethora of food from meat to vegetables though they have to be consumed in a relatively short amount of time before they spoil.
Besides food, a fantasy general store sells items vital to the town/city’s survival. Every urban center contributes to the kingdom’s economy, some focus on mining, others fishing, and so on. The general store carries products like the pickax or fishing rod to help keep the town afloat.
Some towns and cities are known for the unique products they make, which coincidentally you can find in the general store. These unique products could be a kind of pie made only with the berries in town that don’t grow anywhere else to small wood sculptures of animals. The general store carries the pride of the town so that travelers can buy them and spread word about them.
You can find a decent number of clothes in a fantasy general store. It carries basic kinds of clothes like a cloak or shirt. For those seeking a more specialized one, the shopkeeper is happy to recommend the tailor shop, which is where he bought the clothes his store has from. Keep in mind that the clothes it has on hand is heavily dependent on what time of year it is.
Last and not least, the general store carries weapons, though only simple ones. Daggers and swords are just a few of what you can get there. For travelers seeking to repair their weapons or desiring to get a stronger version, the shopkeeper will refer them to the armor shop since he’s only interested in selling items that are certain to sell, not those that will accumulate dust.
When it comes to worldbuilding, the general store is one of the most important buildings a town/city has for several reasons. While you may see one or a few throughout the plot, the general store is a key player in shaping the economy of the urban centers it’s located in. This occurs in the background of the plot.
The fantasy general store is a popular stop, both for the residents of the town/city and those traveling on the road. The money they spend contributes to the town/city, enabling it to stay afloat. Moreover, the merchandise it carries periodically changes throughout the year which means there’s always something new to get there!
A reason why the general store is vital to the world is that it’s a main driver for the community. Besides hiring locals, the store makes deals with local businesses to carry a sample of their products while also having things they need to keep their doors open. Farmers need seeds and scythes, bakers need rolling pins, and so on and the store has what they need in stock should they need them immediately.
The fantasy general store is also where people run into each other and exchange stories about what’s going on with them or the community. Whenever they see travelers, they ask for the latest going-ons in the kingdom. For those visiting a town for the first time, the shop is a great way to learn about it.
Though the general store may not be a major setting in the story, that shouldn’t dissuade you from bringing it into yours. Besides serving as a place for your characters to restock on food and other items, you can use it to introduce a plot point that eventually becomes integral to the overall story. An example would be maybe the town was having trouble with marauders and it’s eventually revealed they were hired by the villain to drive everyone out so he could take over. This newfound discovery gives the protagonist more reason to defeat the villain.
A fantasy general store is an absolute must when building a town/city from scratch. It’s one of a few businesses where people keep coming back to over and over again to buy food and other basic necessities. Moreover, it’s a great place to socialize as you’re likely to run into people you know and find out what’s new with them.
As you weigh where to place one, remember that it needs to be in an excellent location. That is, it should be situated alongside a major traffic corridor and be easily visible from the road. Its exterior design should clearly communicate to all passersby what it is.
Moving into the inside, the general store has all kinds of merchandise from food to clothes that its customers purchase. As the months change, the shop changes what you can find. In cold months, you’re likely to come across warm clothes and food whereas in the warm months, there’s plenty of things that will help keep you cool.
The fantasy general store is a prominent player in the world. Even though its core function is to sell items to both locals and travelers, it has other purposes. It’s a key economic driver in the community it’s located in as well as being a place for people to socialize and learn more about what’s going on around the community.
Will you bring the general store into your story?
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