Christopher, co-owner of The Upkeep Games, acquired his first Magic: The Gathering pack in 1994, and has been immersed in TCGs ever since. Though he had spent nearly his entire life working in game stores, it was his Michigan hometown LGS closing that led to him starting his own. His co-founder, Rose, brought a legal background to the business, making her an invaluable partner in navigating the complexities of opening and running a store. From the start, she had a clear vision: The Upkeep Games would be an inclusive space that was welcoming to minorities, women, neurodivergent individuals, and children.
Even though Christopher felt a strong need to fill the void in the community and open another game store, it wasn’t easy. He made a huge sacrifice, selling his entire Magic collection, valued at over $30,000, to secure a lease and acquire initial inventory. On top of that, Christopher worked overnight shifts full-time and then spent his days at the store, while Rose balanced working at the store nearly full-time alongside her demanding career as a lawyer.
Today, that sacrifice and hard work has paid off. The Upkeep Games now has two thriving locations in Howell and Ann Arbor, MI. Their community keeps them going every day, especially their 20 employees.
The Upkeep Games’ Commitment to Community
The Upkeep Games isn’t just a local game store –– they’re dedicated to fostering connections and supporting their local community. This passion led them to create The Upkeep Gives, a charity that partners with schools to provide children with access to games and the wider gaming community.
They also partner with The Mamas Network, a nonprofit that provides a supportive space for mothers to connect and build their community. Through this collaboration, The Upkeep Games offers its store for meetups and co-hosts Dads, Decks, and Donuts, a monthly event designed to give mothers some time for themselves while fathers bond over gaming and –– plot twist –– donuts.
Every Thanksgiving, The Upkeep Games takes their commitment to the community a step further by hosting a Thanksgiving event. They open their doors to those who might not have family or friends to celebrate with, offering a space to share a meal and play games together.
Finalist for Hobby Shop of the Year
The Upkeep Games’ dedication to inclusivity and community has not gone unnoticed. They have been named a finalist for Hobby Shop of the Year, an award presented by TCGplayer to recognize local game stores that go above and beyond in supporting their customers and the gaming industry as a whole. The Upkeep Games’ extensive charity work, partnerships, and inclusive atmosphere set them apart as a local game store that has an immensely positive impact.
Selling Online to Strengthen Their In-Store Mission
While The Upkeep Games was built with the in-store experience in mind, selling online has become an important part of their business. They turned to TCGplayer when they found themselves with more inventory than they could sell at their stores, using online sales to reinvest in their community-focused initiatives.
While Christopher and Rose were initially hesitant about online sales, it was the tools TCGplayer provides that won them over, especially the In-Store Kiosk, which allows their customers to browse inventory independently while in their store.
Words of Wisdom
For someone looking to start their own LGS, Christopher and Rose offer two key pieces of advice:
- Trust Your Community. A game store is shaped by its community. Collaborate with your customers, listen to their feedback, and work together to build something that resonates with them.
- Fill a Need. Twice now, The Upkeep Games has recognized a void in their local gaming scene and stepped in to fill it. If you feel compelled to start a store, ask yourself: What need am I addressing? Where is the gap in my community, and how will my store resolve it?
From selling off a lifelong Magic collection to working grueling hours, Christopher and Rose have built more than just a game store –– they’ve created an inclusive space that goes above and beyond to support and nourish their local community. And for them, that’s the most rewarding part of it all.