Goodman Games is inviting players across America to vote for their favorite brick-and-mortar game store. The winning store will receive up to $1,000 in RPG product from Goodman Games, as well as a profile in Goodman’s Level Up magazine and promotion on the company’s web site, encouraging other publishers to contribute to the prize pool.

“When I recently posted my opinion on 4E, it generated some commentary in the RPG media, including thoughts on the role of friendly local game stores,” said Goodman Games’ owner, Joseph Goodman. “In these tough economic times, we can all use a little helping hand, so I'd like to acknowledge those stores that deserve your patronage. Let's find out who those stores are -- and recognize them!”

A thread on the Goodman Games forums encourages players to nominate their favorite games store in comments to the thread. The store must be based on the United States and carry Goodman Games product. Nominations will be accepted until midnight of June 30, after which time all nominated stores will voted on until July 15. The store with the most votes will be declared the winner.

The winner will receive $5 worth of Goodman Games product for each vote cast in its favor, to a maximum of $1,000 (200 votes). Profantasy Software and Pelgrane Press have agreed to donate over $1,000 more of merchandise to the winning store, and other manufacturers are also encouraged to do so. The prizes are to be distributed by the winning store in whatever method it chooses, though Goodman encourages that the items be given away as promos or as “freebies.”