Laughing Star Hobbies owner David Jellum stands with two of his recent arcade machine acquisitions, NBA Jams and Gauntlet, which are now available for customers to play.
AK Hobby R.A.W.K.S. owner Wesley Seward (behind everyone in the center) and his wife Alisha Seward (on the far left) welcomed a crowd to the shop for tournaments of the Disney Lorcana trading card game and Dungeons and Dragons on Oct. 6.
On a rainy Sunday afternoon, a lively gaming session took place at the new location for AK Hobby R.A.W.K.S. in the Churchill Building at 321 Front St. At one table, a group of high schoolers played Dungeons and Dragons, while at two neighboring tables grade schoolers played Disney Lorcana, a popular trading card game released last fall.
Owner Wesley Seward said a weekly tournament will be held every Sunday, with the winner to receive a trove pack of the game that features card storage, a player's guide, booster packs and original artwork for collectors.
"If they don't win, they also get something anyway just for being here, being part of the community," Seward added.
Just a couple of blocks away David Jellum operates Laughing Star Hobbies, where he recently added arcade machines for customers, such as NBA Jam, Gauntlet and Double Dragon, which he got from Jerry Massin, the former proprietor of Jerry's Arcade, which closed almost a decade ago.
"I didn't know they were available. I was just talking to Jerry one day when I was walking by," Jellum said. "I've got three or four more video games that are going to be coming in."
In addition to trading cards and role-playing games. Jellum also sells other merchandise like art supplies, locally made items and materials for crafters like his wife Ellen who is into knitting and needlepoint.
"I'm probably more on the niche hobbies," Jellum said, adding that he's also considering model ships, paintball equipment and offering arts and crafts classes. "I'm into what people are into. I want to bring their hobbies into the store."
"I'm doing my dream," Seward said of his focus on tabletop, trading card and board games. "(Jellum) is doing his."
"When you look at it, just about every business in Wrangell has multiples," Jellum said. "There are two hardware stores, there are two grocery stores, there are multiple gift shops. ... Everyone else seems to do fine."
"I don't see any reason why we shouldn't," he said of the two game businesses.
When the gift shop River's Mouth Trading Co. closed last month, Seward took the opening to move his business from his home on Second Avenue to the location which offered a Front Street view and a chance for potential customers to window shop.
Seward said his business has always been youth oriented. "They're the future," he said. He offers discounts - with parental permission - to students who get good grades in school.
The first Saturday of every month from 6 to 8 p.m. will be Pokémon Trade Night, he said, for collectors to show off their favorite cards, trade and expand their collections.
"We play D&D three times a week here," he said, adding that Fridays are scheduled for youth D&D which can accommodate eight to 13 kids.
Ryan Howe came to AK Hobby to participate in the Disney Lorcana game with his four children. "It's nice for the kids that have something to do. ... The kids will come on their own now. It's pretty awesome. ... They feel welcome. It's a heck of a cool thing."
Wesley Seward's wife, Alisha Seward, who is the state wildlife trooper in town and a gamer herself, is glad to support her husband's business where people can hang out and have a good time. "That's really what it's all about," she said. "We're just here for the community."
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