Imagine you’ve heard about a quirky, fast-paced board game from Belgium—maybe it features clowns stacking meeples or explorers uncovering museum artifacts. Your gaming group is hooked just thinking about it. But there’s a catch: the game isn’t available in North American stores. It’s a frustration that many board game enthusiasts across the continent know all too well.
Fortunately, change is on the horizon, and it’s coming from the north.
Who’s on Board?
Canadian distributor Luma Imports is making headlines in the board game world by stepping in to handle North American distribution for several popular European board game publishers. This transition comes after Michigan-based Flat River Group exited the international distribution space earlier this year.
Luma is now representing a host of beloved publishers, including:
- Blue Orange Games (France) – Known for gems like Photosynthesis and Kingdomino
- Sit Down! (Belgium) – Creators of Magic Maze
- Funforge (France) – Known for Tokaido and Monumental
- GDM Games (Spain)
- Sorry We Are French – A creative brand under Hachette Boardgames
These publishers are behind fan-favorite games like Meeple Circus, Museum, and Palm Island, which have sometimes been difficult to find in U.S. and Canadian stores. These new distribution arrangements aim to make those titles more consistently available.
From One Door Closing to Another Opening
Flat River’s departure left a gap that threatened to limit American access to a wide range of international tabletop games. But Luma Imports saw an opportunity to step up—not just as a replacement, but as a stronger, long-term partner for European publishers looking to expand their reach into North America.
Already known in Canada for their careful approach to importing and localizing foreign-language games, Luma is expanding its presence and commitment. Their strategy includes:
- Enhanced marketing efforts
- More visibility at major conventions like Gen Con and PAX Unplugged
- A push for improved availability in online and brick-and-mortar stores
“We’re honored to represent these brands and help grow their presence with North American players,” a Luma spokesperson shared recently. The company’s approach suggests more than just filling shelves—they’re working to build meaningful awareness of these titles.
Why This Matters to You (Yes, You)
If you’ve ever scoured online shops for a European board game only to find inflated prices or uncertain availability, this news should matter to you. Luma’s move offers some much-needed stability and visibility for these international titles.
Here’s what that means for players:
- More consistent reprints of hard-to-find games
- Official English-language rulebooks and customer support
- Broader promotion for creative, diverse titles at conventions and online platforms
For smaller European publishers, the new partnerships also open vital access to one of the most dynamic tabletop markets in the world. The increased visibility could turn a quiet European sleeper hit into a North American sensation.
So… What’s Next?
Naturally, there are open questions. Can Luma handle the logistics of distributing a growing portfolio? Will supply meet demand without frustrating delays? Can they maintain the momentum that Flat River once generated?
Industry watchers seem cautiously optimistic. Luma has been steadily building a reputation as a thoughtful, community-focused distributor, and this move could mark their biggest leap yet.
At its core, this transition represents something bigger—a sign of how connected and international the board game ecosystem is becoming. A clever card game designed in Madrid might soon become a local hit at your friendly neighborhood game café in Cleveland.
TL;DR—Here’s the Big Picture:
- Flat River Group is stepping away from foreign board game distribution.
- Luma Imports is now taking over key European partnerships.
- North American players will soon find it easier to get popular international titles.
- This shift benefits publishers, players, and the future of an increasingly connected hobby market.
If you’ve been waiting to snag that elusive expansion pack or demo the next breakout eurogame at a convention, now might be your time. The gap is closing—and your shelf of favorite games might soon be growing.