Used to Be a Hidden Gem--Now Feels Like a Sell-Out
I used to drive 40 minutes out of my way to support A Hidden Fortress back when it was just a small shop. It felt welcoming, the staff appreciated you being there, and the interactions felt genuine. Unfortunately, that vibe has faded, and now the place gives off more of a "sell-out" feeling.
At one point, I thought this place couldn't be beat, even when it was just a tiny 12x36 retail space. You felt like they were truly glad you came in, and the deals were unbeatable, which made the drive more than worth it.
The pandemic really helped them blow up, especially with the surge in the TCG world, which was great to see! I was genuinely happy for their growth. But as they expanded, that feeling of being "at home" slowly started to disappear.
I primarily play and collect Magic: The Gathering (MTG), and after their expansion, I noticed buy rates dropped and prices started to match or even exceed other shops. What used to be a go-to for deals became just another mainstream spot. Now, with prices being higher than competitors, the drive simply isn't worth it anymore.
Another issue: inconsistent staff communication. The owner used to be present and hands-on, which made things simple. Now, if you happen to catch him and start working out a deal, he'll eventually refer you to the shop manager, who often has no idea what was discussed and offers you something completely different, and usually worse. When you try to explain, you're met with doubt, as if the owner would never make such a deal. It creates an awkward and frustrating experience.
To be honest, it also feels like most of the staff doesn't know what they're doing. Every question I ask is met with, "Let me check," which becomes tiring. There's a lack of product knowledge across the board.
Professionalism is another area where things fall short. I get that this is a casual environment, but if you're a manager, showing up in basketball shorts and flip-flops isn't a great look. Presentation matters, especially in a customer-facing business.
Now, the good: the new space is nice and spacious, with long tables and large cushioned seating that make playing more comfortable. I give them credit there. That said, the fabric seating attracts fur, so if you have allergies, be aware. A regular lint-rolling by the staff wouldn't hurt.
The store itself, though, is visually dull. Just plain white walls and no decor give off a bland, almost sterile or sweatshop-like vibe if you're unfamiliar with what's happening inside. I mentioned this to the owner, and his response was, "You can see it better from outside." But visibility doesn't make up for lack of atmosphere, it should feel lively and inviting. Personally, I don't even enjoy playing inside because of how uninspired it feels.
Store hours are also an issue. You'd expect a card shop to stay open later, especially on weekends, but they close early. If you're an MTG player showing up on a Saturday, you get a four-hour window and that's it. I brought this up to the owner, who said they'd stay open longer if the manager was willing to stay. Later, when I asked the manager if he'd mind staying an extra hour, he said he was fine with it, but the owner wouldn't pay him overtime, so they had to close right on the dot. Again, no one seems to be on the same page.
In the end, It's not a bad shop. They have a great variety of games and accessories, and the space is comfortable but there are a lot of things that need improvement:
Pricing is no longer competitive.
Buy rates are disappointing.
Staff lacks product knowledge.
Presentation is sloppy.
The vibe has shifted from community-driven to profit-driven.
What used to feel like a hidden gem now feels commercialized and disconnected. I really would like to keep supporting them, but unfortunately, they've lost the qualities that made them special. They have the potential to be a top tier LGS but until then, they're just okay. read more