Yeah, I was just googling whether there are some vending machines that do food.
It would probably be unrealistic to import one from Japan. But it looks like there might be someone doing hotdogs, here in the US. Still hunting…
Yep: LHD Vending Systems
I would stay away from the gaming products at first, unless there’s no gaming store anywhere near you.
Flying Colors (the comic book store that invented Free Comic Book Day) does fine with just comics and “collectibles” like figures - well, it does sell Magic The Gathering cards, but that’s pretty much just a sideline.
One thing you need to consider: having customers set standing orders for titles.
Our local indie game store got by for years with gaming tables the public could schedule for free (sing a big whiteboard calendar). They sold a ton of snacks to the gamers. As far as I know, old age and retirement are what stopped the proprietor, not financial struggles.
Libraries usually have large collections of graphic novels, so stocking the older ones may waste space.
Definitely! Building on this, today’s kids are potential lifelong customers. Are there any local libraries or schools whose kids’ librarians you know and could retain as consultants? My buddy who ran an amazing comics shop in Chapel Hill for years was on good terms with some school librarians and held regular events designed to draw kids into the store (coloring contests, costume events, etc.), and he also made sure to have a lot of kid-friendly products, including graphic novels and manga and the like. It worked beautifully.
Would the “no crafts” ban mean you couldn’t stock things like this? My son got really into making his own board games, and I was shocked at the “board game prototype” materials out there. A lot of them are really, really cool: Catan-style tiles, blank boards, blank dice, counters. What do they say? In a gold rush, sell shovels?
In addition to the youth market, I think you should consider tapping into the Boomer market, too. They’ve got lot’s of disposable income and are nostalgic for comics and games of their era.
I’m an oldster and I would certainly spend money on vintage comics and games. For example, reprints or original ‘50’s - ‘70’s era MAD Magazines and pocketbooks is something I would buy (and I’m sure I’m not alone). I still have a stack of my 50+ year old MAD mags/books and I’d love to fill in my collection.
Ditto with games. How about putting in a table-top Donkey Kong, Space Invaders, Galaxian, or my favorite, Centipede (nobody could beat me in Centipede back in the day)? This could help coax parents to bring their kids to your establishment to play the modern games (and buy modern comics), while they play the vintage games (and buy vintage comics). Older people like me can’t play the new games—too many buttons!
I recommend a kick-ass webstore with a blog and a broad social media presence (FB, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube). You want to build and maintain an online audience and groom repeat customers. If you want help with any of that, let me know. My partner (a millennial) and I (a boomer) build successful websites.
…and don’t forget Archie comic books. I want to know what ol’ Jughead’s up to these days! 
Related to the young people: you want funny things people will want to take pictures with, so that they post them on social media. Ideally with the name of your store in the background. Cardboard cutouts, movie props.
Restaurants figured put that if you made pretty food, you get free publicity. If malls had done the same thing, we might still have malls.
ETA: An outright photobooth with some LARP style weapons and funny hats might lead to a lot of publicity for a couple hundred bucks.
And you want some controversy that will outrage! some very small but very loud group but will act as only rolled eyes and free press for most people. Possibly the furries–nobody likes the furries.
Right now is the new Golden Age of board games.
Around here, Euro-style or German-style games are the hotness. Catan, Carcassonne, that kind of thing. Some of the newer ones like Scythe More social, more time-constrained and less directly competitive (no player elimination) than Amerigames, would make them also ideal for the gaming table in a store. Plus a lot of them look cool when being played so good for social media. If you really want to grab that crowd, commission a custom Catan set from some local maker, like oversize wooden lasercut tiles.
Also, a lot of them are kid-friendly or come in kiddie versions. There’s even a kiddie Scythe 
The other thing about boardgames I’ve noticed is that a lot of mundanes don’t have a problem buying and playing them when they’d never play M:tG or D&D.
Collectibles - figurines, posters, shirts, etc.
I mean, that’s a cute story for a hobbyist, but it’s not a good plan for someone who actually has skin in the game.
I have a good friend who owns a comic book/collectible store Up North. And another who manages a store (GREAT chain in Chicago area). I could ask them simple questions if needed.
I do know one thing the manager said: “I’ve never gotten an actual Near Mint comic form Diamond or any other distributor. They’re all affected by transit.”
So, Jonathan, where’s your store? Can we support it? Order some books online?
What gets me into a new comic book store is… the Fifty Cent Bins. Have a couple of short boxes of used 'books, and a couple with crappy quality/overstocks/coverless (boxes on the floor is the tradition). I’ll grab a couple of “cheapo’s”, then start browsing the new stuff.
Some of us are hesitant to get hooked on a new store that’ll deplete all our “walking around” money. But if I check out a store, and there’s at least the potential of getting cheap stuff, I feel much better about stopping in on a regular basis. Featuring the Marvel and Image dollar books by the register works, too.
Just a month ago, I was on a long drive, google-mapped “comic book store”, got off the freeway in a small town, realized I’d only have a few minutes, breezed into this store, asked “Do you have any Budget Bins?” Blank look from youngster behind counter… “50c? 3-for-a-dollar?”* Blank look…* “Any boxes with extra comics?” … “Anything cheap?” *Kids pivots 360º, staring at tops of shelves… “Uhhh, no?” *“Okay sorry gotta run have a good one!” Slam.
For used stuff, I’d hit up friends who have boxes and boxes of bronze/modern age comics cluttering up their basement. Or craigslist. But I’m sure you have your own sources.