It was an unlikely source of news. My wife's cousin, a gamer who almost never uses social media, shared a post about a game store I wasn't familiar with. So a little more research and I discovered that this place, Dragon Knight Games, had recently opened up in beautiful, scenic, downtown Pittston, Pennyslvania, home of the world-famous Pittston Tomato Festival.
More importantly, five minutes from my new office.
It took a few abortive attempts after work (and my wife's cousin getting tagged in a post regarding him winning a tournament there), but I finally arrived at the store for a look-see.
It's still a work in progress, but all new stores are.
Location: A proper storefront on Main St in Downtown Pittston is certainly not a bad location. Main St is one-way, and US-11 meanders through town further down the street, but with free on-street parking after 4pm, it's a relatively easy stop, with plenty of food options around it for the all-day players.
Cleanliness: Thank God yes! Getting met with dual Space Marine cardboard cut-outs and two rows of tables and chair, I feared the worst, but everything was neat and organized. Since they had just opened, that meant that the previous night's festivities had been taken care of prior to the next business day. Great news, if I were a Warhammer mom or Poke-dad walking in the first time.
CCGs: The owner is a long-time gamer, a long-time Magic player, and has wisely drawn a solid base of Magic players for the customer base. A solid collection of singles, packs, and accessories.
Miniatures: They are just starting to attract the GW crowd (it was a week before the release of the new contrast paints, so they should be fully stocked in that regard right now). Special orders were apparent when some players came in working on the early stages of their army
Ammenities: Perhaps it was my old age, but the lighting could have been brighter. No other customers else seemed concerned.
Events: Almost all Magic (it is the bread and butter), with GW demos, and organizing some RPG. An active and welcoming schedule pays the bills.
Staff: I had a nice long conversation with the owner, John. The good news for John, the store, and his customers is that he gets it. All the investment in time and money and *poof* there's still a million more product lines to get and support. Progress is slow and long, but it must to continuous. A static store is like a shark, you stop moving and it begins to die. And beyond that, the fact that's he's worked on his "parent talk" to confused or just curious parents means the foot traffic is powerful, and he understands the concept of appearances to the Warhammer Moms and Poke-Dads. I see a lot of hope for this place.
So, for a quick visit in the first few months of existence, I give Dragon Knight Games a tentative three out of five gnomes.
More importantly, five minutes from my new office.
It took a few abortive attempts after work (and my wife's cousin getting tagged in a post regarding him winning a tournament there), but I finally arrived at the store for a look-see.
It's still a work in progress, but all new stores are.
Location: A proper storefront on Main St in Downtown Pittston is certainly not a bad location. Main St is one-way, and US-11 meanders through town further down the street, but with free on-street parking after 4pm, it's a relatively easy stop, with plenty of food options around it for the all-day players.
Miniatures: They are just starting to attract the GW crowd (it was a week before the release of the new contrast paints, so they should be fully stocked in that regard right now). Special orders were apparent when some players came in working on the early stages of their army
Events: Almost all Magic (it is the bread and butter), with GW demos, and organizing some RPG. An active and welcoming schedule pays the bills.
Staff: I had a nice long conversation with the owner, John. The good news for John, the store, and his customers is that he gets it. All the investment in time and money and *poof* there's still a million more product lines to get and support. Progress is slow and long, but it must to continuous. A static store is like a shark, you stop moving and it begins to die. And beyond that, the fact that's he's worked on his "parent talk" to confused or just curious parents means the foot traffic is powerful, and he understands the concept of appearances to the Warhammer Moms and Poke-Dads. I see a lot of hope for this place.
So, for a quick visit in the first few months of existence, I give Dragon Knight Games a tentative three out of five gnomes.
I'm confident that when I make a return trip, whether tomorrow or six months from now, that the store will continue to improve on all fronts at least enough to earn three gnomes, if not more. Check them out, buy an item or two, participate in one of their events, and this could be a regular fixture for your in the middle of the 81 corridor in Northeast Pennsylvania.
Dragon Knight Games is at 61 S Main St in Pittston, Pennsylvania.
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