NOVEMBER 2020 I BOROMAG.COM 17
Gamestoria
42-11 BROADWAY, ASTORIA
GAMESTORIA.COM
Before the pandemic hit, Gamestoria
hosted weekly game nights for
Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons
& Dragons RPG, and offered
tables for open play.
Since March, just a year after opening
in 2019, owner Kevin An had to
pivot to only retail and jumpstart the
online store.
“It was pretty dramatic for us to move
away from weekly in-store gaming
events,” An said.
He’s been focusing on being a “onestop
resource for any tabletop gaming
needs.” The store is expanding its
product lines, carrying new accessories,
games, fi gurine paints and brushes.
There’s been an increase in demand
for two-player games, so his staff
started reaching out to manufacturers
directly to stock what people wanted.
Customers have also been looking for
hobby paints and games for young
children — “They exist!” he said.
Gamestoria is still open, with the
number of customers allowed in the
store limited. While in-person play isn’t
happening, the gaming community is
staying in touch online. The Magic
players are active on social media,
An said, and he’s hosted some virtual
tournaments. The store staff has also
been showing off new games on Instagram.
“One day I would like to be able
to have events safely again,” he said.
“While that day does not seem to be
anytime soon, it will be great to be
able to see everyone.”
He said members of the community
have been supportive, asking
how to buy gift cards or ordering
from out of state. He also feels support
from community members like
Pannettieri, owner of The Brass Owl,
who spearheaded a network of local
businesses.
“Just knowing who they are, that they
are still out there and being able to
follow them on social media helps us
remember we aren't alone and we are
all in this together,” An said.
Photos courtesy of Floresta
Photos courtesy of Gamestoria Photos courtesy of Q.E.D.
“It worked perfectly,” she
said. “It was really nice … people
were buoyed by it.”
Six weeks later, it was no longer
allowed as per the State
Liquor Authority's guidelines.
Since then, she worked with
other comedy club owners to
petition Gov. Andrew Cuomo
to allow them to resume modifi
ed operations. The petition
has been sitting with the governor
since Sept. 13, she said.
Crews looks forward to hosting
her annual bazaar in November
starting on Small Business
Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Usually she has 20
vendors selling out of booths
inside. This year will have
fewer sellers, and doors and
windows will be open. She’ll
also sell the remainder of
her inventory, which includes
things like books, puzzles and
stationery. If the bazaar is successful,
she’ll run it through
the holidays.
She said she can host trivia
outside next spring, as that’s
allowed. In the meantime, not
only has she been advocating
for New York City comedy
clubs, but she has also used
Q.E.D. as a volunteer headquarters
for supplies during
protests, and she helped with
community voting efforts.
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