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Phoenix Games Closing

Started by Mcrow, July 30, 2007, 12:41:14 PM

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Mcrow

July 30, 2007, 12:41:14 PM
That's right, the oldest gaming store in the state of MN is closing.  

The the store has been around since the early 70's when it was called "The Little Tin Soldier" and then changed to Phoenix Games when Neil (the current owner) bought the store.

Neil stated that he was burned out on the gaming scene and I had also heard that making a profit was becoming very difficult.

The store closes on the last day of August.

Neil plans on still selling games and gaming supplies, but only as on online retailer. If anyone is interested you can checkout their store http://www.phoenixgamesonline.com/ . They are planning on doing a large revamp of the website and adding a lot more inventory.

It also sounds like one of the employees at Phoenix Games will be opeing another gaming store in Minneapolis, but it isn't going to be at the Phoenix Games location.

This is the first concrete sign of a down turn in the gaming market that I have seen locally.

Bradford C. Walker

#1
July 30, 2007, 05:35:53 PM
The current Phoenix Games location probably isn't a good location anymore due to demographic shifts.  Contrast to The Source Comics & Games, which has one of the best locations in the Twin Cities area for a store of that type.  Combined with the loss of the Shinders chain, and there are now sweet fuck-all for options to purchase RPGs in a brick-and-mortar location other than what WOTC and White Wolf publishes, as those two do sell into the big chain bookstores.

Mcrow

#2
July 30, 2007, 05:47:03 PM
yeah, now the Source is the only place that carries a good selection of non-d20 games.

Rezendevous

#3
July 30, 2007, 08:22:12 PM
That's a shame, but I'm not surprised; it seemed like it was in the works for a while now.

I agree with Bradford that the location doesn't really make sense anymore.  It's across from Dreamhaven, true, but then their location doesn't make much sense either IMO.  I always thought that Dreamhaven's second location in Dinkytown was ideal, however that wasn't enough to save it in the end.

And I'm curious to see where the new store location will be...

Mcrow

#4
July 31, 2007, 03:42:10 PM
yeah, the area is no longer the home of college students and tech geeks. It's gone into high end premium condos and homes.

flyingmice

#5
July 31, 2007, 03:46:05 PM
Don't worry, it'll be back. :D

-clash
clash bowley * Flying Mice Games - an Imprint of Better Mousetrap Games
Flying Mice home page: http://jalan.flyingmice.com/flyingmice.html
Currently Designing: StarCluster 4 - Wavefront Empire
Last Releases: SC4 - Dark Orbital, SC4 - Out of the Ruins,  SC4 - Sabre & World
Blog: I FLY BY NIGHT

Rezendevous

#6
July 31, 2007, 07:16:47 PM
Quote from: flyingmiceDon't worry, it'll be back. :D

-clash

Heh.  Smartass. :)
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