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In today's internet-based world, developing social-gathering spots is critical, especially those that allow people to develop and expand shared interests.
Out in Surrey, BC, there's a board game shop at one of the malls. In this games shop the owner has a two-fold approach that results in more games sold, and more satisfied customers. He rents board games. The fee is 10% of the cost of a new game and, if you choose to purchase the game (a new copy, not the used one you rented), that 10% is deducted from the purchase price. He also has tables setup in-store where small groups can try out games; he'll help you learn the rules, and even join in now and then.
I don't think I'd purchased a board game in my life (though in my child-hood my mother setup a games room filled with puzzles, board games etc, and they were a regular family activity). The day I went in there with a few friends, we spent an hour learning a new game, playing it through, and learning about others. I purchased 3 games, confident that I'd enjoy them; the other people with me bought 1-3 games each as well.
I know other shops host games nights etc, but this one offered something more.
Bolen Books, an independent store that has GROWN (to the size of the B&N's and Borders I've been in) since the big-box Chapters came to town. They host frequent author nights, even single's nights, and operate in hours beyond that of the mall in which they are considered an anchor-store; those hours are ones that are convenient to those people who actually work 9-5...letting us avoid busy mall parking lots as well.
I think they've made some steps in the right direction...alas, not enough to keep me buying pbooks, as their pricing is full-cover price, and they usually don't have the books I'm after (British mystery series, old-out-of-print books, etc).
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