BY MATT LINDSEY
North Country This Week

POTSDAM – A national game-making company has created and is selling Potsdamopoly, which highlights the many attractions of the town and village.

The new game is made by Late For the Sky. Late for the Sky Marketing Manager Michael Schulte said the company is working regionally with Walmart locations across the U.S. and is always looking for new cities or towns for their games.

He said research shows there is equal or greater interest in games that feature smaller cities and towns, such as Potsdam, versus larger places such as Chicago or New York City.

He described it as “civic pride” for the town.

Local resident Beth Robinson was surprised when she saw that her business was included in the game, right on the front cover. She owns SwingTime Mini Golf, located at 7065 U.S. Highway 11, on your way to Canton.

Robinson’s business is grouped with the Roxy Theater and Summer Festival. 

Among other landing spaces, the Potsdam-centric board game also includes the fire department, North Country Children’s Museum, Sergi’s, Potsdam High School, and even the infamous toilet gardens.

“I am happy I wasn't the cheapest property,” Robinson joked.

The toilet gardens are the cheapest property listed, priced at a reasonable $70.

Although Robinson was never consulted about her business being included in the game, she says is thrilled that it is included.

Robinson said that, “it’s kind of neat” that her business is seen as a staple in the community after opening just over five years ago. “It’s great publicity,” she said.

Potsdamopoly is now for sale at Walmart, 7494 U.S. Highway 11. It is located near the electronics and toys. The games retail for $19.98.

 “Everyone in lockdown, what is better than playing a game of your own town,” he said. .

Schulte said the company uses city and town websites, chamber sites, and a bit of social media to determine what places, events or other areas will earn a space on the game board.

He said they like to acknowledge points of interest, such as parks, versus businesses; noting that they try not to “pick favorites” when it comes to businesses.

There have been at least three other versions of Potsdamopoly made locally. One version came out in the 1980s, one in the early to mid-90s, and a version in 2014.

“We research several cities and counties around New York to make a very localized game about a specific area,”said Bill Schulte, one of the owners of Late for the Sky. “We always make sure that the locals love their town before we take on a project. We try to make the content as authentic as possible. So, we are reaching as many people as we can. We launch the sales exclusively at the local Walmart store in Potsdam. Naturally, Walmart likes to connect to their local customers, and everyone appreciates the fact that the games are made in the USA. Also, several other New York cities and counties are on the drawing board for development and manufacturing.”

Late For the Sky has been making custom games since 1984 and is based out of Ohio. For more, visit http://www.lateforthesky.com/ .

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