The newest local game store in the city of Racine is open. As of June 11, 2022, The Sanctum Tabletop Gaming Emporium officially began serving customers. The locally owned storefront provides a place for people to shop, learn and connect with the Racine gaming community. It is a complete center for entertainment!
The local game store is owned and operated by Janet & Zac Pawlowski. The two have a mutual love for both Racine and the gaming industry. Therefore, opening a store has been a pleasure to do together. The couple have resided in the area for nearly a decade. Prior to opening his store, Zac served as the Technical Director for Siena Catholic Schools.
One door closes, another opens
Not only was he immersed in the world of technology at work, but his passion for gaming and technology didn’t stop outside of his previous 9-5 hours.
His love of gaming made him a regular at Rockhead’s Comics and Games, which operated at 2328 Roosevelt Rd, in Kenosha. It closed after 47 years, according to the Kenosha News.
The closing of one store prompted the opening of another, but this time in Racine. Zac shares: “What do I do without a game store? I suppose it could have a game store.
Now he and his wife have done just that. The tables have turned and Racine now has the upper hand when it comes to accessing the latest in game stores.
“A lot of thought process, a lot of research went into Zac’s part,” says Janet.
access to games
The storefront is located at 4615 Washington Ave. The building that now functions as The Sanctum Tabletop Gaming Emporium once housed Racine Cyclery, for nearly 60 years. The building and its owners are taking a turn in a different direction, providing Racine with a place accessible to a different industry, providing a different kind of entertainment.
Sanctum Tabletop Gaming Emporium is the place to be for gamers, both experienced and just starting to explore the industry. It is open to people of all ages and demographic groups. While some games are sensitive to your gaming experience and skills, the store owners are dedicated to helping each customer find something that fits their needs.
Uniquely, the store best serves community members with its approach to accessibility and pricing. They have a cohesive design that allows customers to see what is on the shelves, without guessing the prices or the type of game in front of them. Also, throughout the store, games are open and on display. This gives customers an idea of what the games look like out of the box!
store deals
Throughout the 4,000-square-foot retail space and 1,500-square-foot gaming space, there are areas that offer different types of games, treats and space to play, explore and discover the world that awaits each person.
When you walk into The Sanctum Tabletop Gaming Emporium, you can find games that stretch beyond your imagination.
Plus, you’ll come across a handful of classic games, like copies of Life and Clue, that will no doubt bring people back to their own childhood.
“They are even more similar to what you might have seen in your grandmother’s closet,” shares one of the owners.
Sanctum’s board game emporium is the place to unlock a new hobby or continue advancing your love of board games, role-playing games (RPGs) and more. They offer the following in the store and on their website:
more for your money
In addition to the above, the store offers a consignment store that customers can use to sell their games and receive 70% store credit when the game is sold.
“We offer the opportunity for customers to sell their games that they no longer need,” says Janet. Although they’ve only been open for a short time, Zac says that one person using the program has racked up nearly $250 in store credit.
Another way the store stays customer-focused is by offering a selection of games available for rent. Zac describes the rental program: “You get a set for four nights, for a fraction of the price. And then if you like the game within seven days of renting, you’ll get the rental price with the purchase of the game.”
Lastly, factoring in costs, the store’s playground has a $5 entrance fee. With that, the store will credit those who use this area to play with a $5 gift card. In the gaming area, people can bring their own games, chat with other players, and potentially meet other people looking to play.
“The biggest problem in games is finding other players,” explains Zac. Niche activity can be time consuming and require a great deal of knowledge and attention. The pair strive to connect players with each other and draw others in on the fun as well.
on the horizon
The gaming space is also used as a gathering area for WOW – Women (Table Players) on Wednesdays, which takes place every other Wednesday night. The next event will be held on September 7th at 7pm at The Sanctum Tabletop Gaming Emporium.
“We want people to have the opportunity and make it easy to have fun,” says Janet, a woman who gambles.
There are also other events taking place throughout the month of September at the store. Learn about other activities happening on your website.
Stop by The Sanctum Tabletop Gaming Emporium
If The Sanctum Tabletop Gaming Emporium sounds like a place you’d click with, check it out. The storefront is open during the following business hours:
- on Monday . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Tuesday Friday. . . . .Noon – 10 pm
- Saturdays. . . . . . . . . . . . .11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Sundays . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Learn more about the store by visiting their website or Facebook page.
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