Game Stores Aren't Forever

Today is a tough day for gamers in south eastern New Jersey.  The court clown will frolic no more.

Jester's Playhouse, a home away from home for many, shut the doors and turned out the lights for the final time today.  Jester's as it's more commonly known (or even the 'store' to many) was a survivor.  It had beat the long odds several times over its long history.

It started 18 years ago in Cape May County.  Rich Gain, and his then wife Joanna started the store with the idea that would offer comics, games, and a place to meet.  I didn't step foot in the store until it moved to its second home in Northfield.  At that time, I was at a point in my life where I couldn't well afford to support my WH40K habit and I was still years away from finding nirvana in the form of MtG.  I stopped in that space no more than a few times, but I could tell that the community established by the store was vibrant.

Some years ago, they moved to their third location, easily doubling their space and dedicating over half of it to play.  It's there that I eventually found my own place in a community of like minded individuals.  I had been introduced to Magic formally some time before, after having picked up the game for my younger son's benefit.  If I had known what I was missing, I would have been there long before.

Friends like Larry and Sarah.  Austin, Mario, and Ryan.  Preston, Toby, Robbie, Brigette, and Ryan.  Josh and Steve and John.  Rich, Rich, and Zack. Wayne, Garret, Tyler, Tricky, Christian, and Mike.  John Paul.  A hundred more names and a few hundred faces.  Jim - probably one of the people I most closely bonded with over the simple act of playing Magic.  Jim was the one guy who figured out I was writing online under the guise of Magic Dad (only a couple of people at Jester's ever knew until now - as they are reading this article).  He talked to me about my blog, offering encouragement when I needed it and served as a sounding board for a few of my more 'out there' ideas.  I think I'll miss our occasional head to head games of Magic the most.

I'm an adult.  I know that I will see many of the people I met through Jester's at other events.  But life takes weird turns, and I know there are others I may not see again.  That thought leaves me with a profound sense of loss.  It's amazing how much you can fall into a world created by a game when played on plastic tables while seated in plastic chairs.  And how much you can miss it when it is gone.

A very rare breed...

The primary owner of Jester's, Rich Gain, through all of its successes and difficulties, loved his store.  He is a gamer at heart who enjoyed introducing people to new games.  People will argue for years to come as to what led Jester's to finally close.  That argument is now academic.  The bottom line is, no matter how much you love something, life takes its toll.  Unable to remain profitable and in order to pay bills owed, Rich made the painful decision to close the doors to Jester's.  Saturday and Sunday, gamers came to pay respects.  Some bought items on sale at ridiculous prices.  One came with Scotch older than the store.  Many more came with their eyes a little red and a boardgame in hand - hoping to roll the dice one more time.  Me?  I had an unopened box of Conspiracy that I was dying to try for the first time.  So Jacob and I made our final trek to Jester's yesterday for one last draft.

I did what I always did while there.  I spent some money.  I talked to some friends.  At one point I left, taking a friend of mine from another store out to lunch.  When we returned, Jacob and I found enough friends to draft Conspiracy twice (six man pods) and it was wonderful.

Jacob and I left the store that night after one more round of goodbyes.  We drove home, mostly in silence, thinking about what was and what could have been.

The greatest sadness for us about Jester's closing is the loss of meeting up with some friends and drafting Magic until we have to peel ourselves out of our seats and stumble homeward.  The nearest store to us that supports gamers is almost an hour away.  If we're willing to drive, we are practically spoiled for choice, with great stores to the south, west and north of us.  But I know that many of our friends will be in the same boat we are.  After working a hard day, many of us will elect to stay home more often than not.

Everyone displaced by the loss of Jester's will try different stores to see if one 'fits'.  We'll all try to find new stores that feel right, that have the best make-up of friends, product and support.

If there is one thing about this experience I can count upon, it's this final thought.

Nature abhors a vacuum.  This area can and will support a game store.  Maybe it won't carry the Jester's brand.  Hopefully, when it does come it will find success.  With a local state college and a devoted base of gamers, an LGS with a smart plan and strong execution can not only succeed, but flourish.  It's a matter of establishing brand and serving to the old clientele while developing new interests.  How long will it take?  We'll see.  Our particular area is one of the few that seems to be mired in an economy that won't fully bounce back.  We're fifteen minutes from Atlantic City - and the loss of jobs here as casinos continue to close has some people scared to try something as risky as starting a small business.

But it will happen.  It has to happen.  And when it does, we'll all be there to welcome the new store.  Jacob, me and a few hundred of the faithful.

Support your community.  Support your hobby.  Support your LGS.

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