3rd Space

Lylee Nebeker

Hear from the organizers and communities around you, and learn simple ways to meet people and feel connected where you live. Home is your first space. Work is your second. 3rd Space is about the third: cafés, game stores, parks, and libraries where people gather. Owners, organizers, and friendship experts share how these places work, so you finish each episode ready to go to an event, host one, or start your own third space. Hosted by Lylee Nebeker. Presented by Float (floatwithfriends.com).

Episodes

  1. Oct 24

    Running a Game Grid Franchise with Co-Founder Jamie Silsby | 3rd Space Ep. 1

    What does it take to run a game store people want to hang out in? Jamie Silsby, co-founder and COO of Game Grid and owner of Game Grid Ogden, has been doing it for over 20 years. Game Grid now has 11 stores, with more on the way. On this episode of the 3rd Space Podcast, Jamie tells the story of how he became a game store owner: from the pet store he turned around in New York to the closing game store his son talked him into buying. He also talks about what it cost to open his first Game Grid, how long it took to break even, where a game store's money comes from, and what he tells new owners. You'll also get to know Game Grid as a space, and Jamie himself: how he became a secret polyglot, and why his karate studio is a third space too. Want to play at Game Grid? Find their game nights on Float: https://floatwithfriends.com/t/xBuMstHRQVO0W0SYWZmjFg 3rd Space is presented by Float. Chapters0:00 Welcome1:31 How Jamie got into games2:02 A pet store, then a game store3:35 Learning business by doing it8:38 Fixing Heroes & Hobbs11:28 What became of his first employees13:52 How Game Grid got its name16:07 The founders, and why they franchised19:17 What is a third space?19:42 Finding your people21:50 The regulars28:03 What it cost to open a game store35:21 Breaking even37:25 Where the money comes from40:53 Suppliers and allocations44:49 Inventory and the rent rule52:07 Advice for new owners57:52 Events and the Game Grid Open1:00:58 What a Game Grid franchise costs1:03:40 The secret polyglot1:06:23 Karate and the JamJer-Do studio1:12:32 Chase Newell, instructor1:14:27 Getting through COVID1:16:30 A safe space for everyone1:18:23 His favorite part1:22:03 How to start1:22:44 Find Game Grid on Float1:25:00 Closing thoughts CreditsPhoto of Gary Gygax: Alan De Smet, CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/), via Wikimedia Commons.Photo of Andrew Dabb: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), cropped, via Wikimedia Commons.Dice photo: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sarah Spadie (public domain).Magic: The Gathering card images are property of Wizards of the Coast LLC. This episode is not approved or endorsed by Wizards.Film reel photo: CC0 (public domain).Float app screens: recorded in the Float app (floatwithfriends.com).

    Running a Game Grid Franchise with Co-Founder Jamie Silsby | 3rd Space Ep. 1

  2. Trailer

    Welcome to 3rd Space (Trailer)

    Hear from the organizers and communities around you. 3rd Space is a podcast about the cafés, game stores, parks, and libraries where people gather, and the people who bring them to life. You'll hear from owners who run third spaces, organizers who fill them with events, and experts on why time with other people matters. Every episode leaves you with something to do: show up to an event, start a conversation, or start a third space of your own. Hosted by Lylee Nebeker. Presented by Float (floatwithfriends.com).

  • 1 Trailer
    1 Episode

Trailer

About

Hear from the organizers and communities around you, and learn simple ways to meet people and feel connected where you live. Home is your first space. Work is your second. 3rd Space is about the third: cafés, game stores, parks, and libraries where people gather. Owners, organizers, and friendship experts share how these places work, so you finish each episode ready to go to an event, host one, or start your own third space. Hosted by Lylee Nebeker. Presented by Float (floatwithfriends.com).

Information

  • Creator
    Lylee Nebeker
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    2
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Lylee Nebeker
  • Show Website
    3rd Space