Do you like retro video games? How about video game accessories, collectibles, trading cards and board games? If this sounds like your jam, then Amherst has just the store for you. We’re talking about Got Item! Games, located in the Amherst Centre Mall since January of this year.
Not long ago, Deputy Mayor Davidson and Councillors Ripley, McManaman, and Furlong stopped by to congratulate the store owners and staff on their move from the original downtown location to their new space at the mall.
“The store’s roots date back over four years now to when a previous owner and I bought a business’s inventory and started up Got Item! Games,” explained store co-owner James Gaudet. “The roots of the Got Item! name go way back to when I was in high school – the name actually comes from a Mario Party reference on N64. It used to be when you got an item, it was a ‘Got Item!’ I was just like, that’s crazy enough to work.”
Gaudet shared that he and his colleagues tend to have people thanking them every day because they’ll come into the store and find products that they haven’t seen for a long time, or in other cases, products that are completely new to them.
“We specialize in retro video games, trading cards and collectables, and we strive to bring back a little bit of nostalgia,” said Gaudet.
Deputy Mayor Hal Davidson presented Got Item! Games co-owner James Gaudet with a new business certificate from the Town of Amherst, celebrating the business's new location at Amherst Centre Mall. Also pictured (left to right) are: Zac Mackinnon (volunteering in the community), store employee Kyle Estabrooks, Mann Forbes (representing his wife and store co-owner Jaclyn Forbes), Councillor Dwayne Ripley, Councillor Terry McManaman, store employee Elyse Bussiere, and Councillor Nic Furlong.
There is also a roomy gaming space at the back of the store that is free for people to use.
“We do have some scheduled events where the tables are occupied, including Friday night Magic,” said Gaudet. “And we also have Saturday Yu-Gi-Oh events. There’s a few other events on the go – I believe D&D is starting up again, and also board games.”
For many reasons, Amherst is lucky to have Got Item! Games, because – as the co-owner explained – there aren’t a lot of stores quite like this one around.
“There’s not many stores in this part of the country that focus on retro video games and trading cards. You can come get a video game and a trading card or vice versa, and that is huge for a lot of people.”
This has all helped to build a solid community of gamers here in Amherst, and they’re drawing in others from farther afield, too.
“I don’t know if it’s the small-town vibe that we have here, or if it’s how caring our staff is to provide them the service that many larger stores can’t. Community is what keeps us open. If it wasn’t for the community, we definitely wouldn’t have a store.”
You’re probably wondering – especially when it comes to the retro offerings – where does Got Item! Games source its merchandise?
“We have a lot that’s brought in from our customers (trade-ins), and we do a lot of trade shows as well,” explained Gaudet. “We have a lot of friends in the industry too – we do stock swaps, and I go out and scout a lot as well. I started out in the early days of going to yard sales and finding games. I mean, those are few and far between now – there’s not much left in yard sales anymore.”
One can only hope there are still collections out there in attics and basements waiting to be discovered!
Despite the scarcity of some of these rare pieces, Got Item! Games is keeping it real.
“We would like to be that place to offer people prices that make sense for both of us,” said Gaudet. “And because of those principles we have customers that have come back to us over the years, and it’s proven to be a big part of our success.”
When asked about the best part of operating a business in Amherst, Gaudet answered: “Being able to provide the community a safe space to engage in activities among all different ages and demographics. I would like to say we’re unique in that aspect. It’s not often that you see a 35-year-old man sitting down playing Magic with somebody as young as 12; and both are enjoying it, having fun on a competitive level, it’s great. That kind of community feel is why I continue to do what I do.”
Got Item! Games is located in the Amherst Centre Mall, 142 Albion Steet. Open Monday-Friday from 9 to 9; Saturdays from 9 to 6; and 12-5 on Sundays. Find them on Facebook @Got Item! Games, or at gotitemgames.ca.
