A tribute to one-time gaming stores in Michigan

[Edena_of_Neith]

I wish to extend a tribute to all the gaming stores I once knew, and in many cases had fun in, that are now gone.
All of these stores were once in southeastern Michigan.

- The hobby store, once in downtown Plymouth
- The Rider's Hobby Shop, once in Canton Township
- Hobby House, once in Garden City
- The Wizards of the Coast store, once at 12 Oaks Mall in Novi
- The Gamer's Inn, once in Troy
- The Gaming Underground, once in Ann Arbor
- The hobby store, once on Maple Avenue in Ann Arbor
- The Rider's Hobby Shop, once in Ann Arbor

I do not know if Pandemonium, in Garden City, is still open. If it is, cheers. If it is not, my tribute to them as well.

There were other stores where I do not know their status. If open, cheers to them. If they are also gone, my sorrow and tribute to them also.

Edena_of_Neith

 

[Mishihari Lord]

The Underground was a heckuva store, and a local institution for years. It was here when I got my MSEE and 5 years later when I came back for my MBA. I still can't believe it's gone. Fortunately we've got a couple of new ones in Ann Arbor, not to mention a comic shop right by my house, Fun 4 All that sponsors D&D and Magic tournaments.

 

[mythago]

When did The Underground close?!

 

[Mishihari Lord]

About 2 1/2 years ago. The story I got from an employee was that they were getting bought out by a guy trying to form a chain, who then decided to close the store for some unknown reason. The story doesn't make sense for a couple of reasons, but that's what I was told.

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

The Underground was a treasure trove of historical items. I found the entire H1 through H4 series there, in Fine condition, for example.

I made a list of the stores I knew, which are now gone.
Could others here, point to the other stores in southeastern Michigan and tell whether they remain open or have closed?

 

[TGryph]

Don't forget the Best of Them All...The Alcove Hobby Shop in Berkely, then Royal Oak. No doubt the best selection of odd little games anywhere! Plus, the owner, Bob Boyle was himself a gamer, and would do whatever it took to keep a customer happy!

TGryph

 

[ephemeron]

About 2 1/2 years ago. The story I got from an employee was that they were getting bought out by a guy trying to form a chain, who then decided to close the store for some unknown reason. The story doesn't make sense for a couple of reasons, but that's what I was told.

The new owner's other shop or shops were in St. Louis. My guess is that over the six months or so he ran the Underworld as "The Fantasy Shop", he decided that expanding from Missouri to Michigan wasn't going to work for him.

 

[Contrarian]

I do not know if Pandemonium, in Garden City, is still open.

They're still there.

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

So, the Alcove Hobby Shop is also closed. My regrets. : (

The Gamer's Inn was a great place, so it came as a shock when I went up and saw an empty concrete room where it was. And in the Troy area, too, where a lot of gaming goes on.