ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – A new gaming and collectibles shop celebrated its grand opening in Downtown Escanaba on Monday.
Conrad Dzanbozoff has always enjoyed cards, games, and collectibles as a hobby.
“I’ve been collecting for a long time,” Dzanbozoff said. “I like to try and teach people how to play. It’s just been a passion of mine for the longest time.”
Now, he’s turned that hobby into a business called North Coast Collectibles.
North Coast Collectibles buys, sells, and trades what Dzanbozoff calls “nerdy” items. He particularly wants to provide ones that are difficult to find in Escanaba.
“You have to travel to Marquette or Green Bay,” he said. “Or when they’re released in the store, if you’re not there that day, most of it’s already gone. So I want to try to fill that gap where people can find this stuff, because most stores can’t keep up.”
Dzanbozoff says he also noticed a lack of places for people to play games like Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons in Delta County. North Coast Collectibles will host weekly game nights for fans who have been looking for a place to play with others.
“Most people are stuck cramming themselves together in a basement,” said Dzanbozoff. “I want the availability to have people come here, get together socially, trade, and hang out as a family.”
According to Dzanbozoff, that social component is a favorite aspect for many players.
“You’re not over a tv screen,” he said. “You can sit down next to somebody, across from somebody. Everybody loves to just, ‘Oh check out this one, or check out this one!’ I love that everybody can get together and share the beauty of the art.”
North Coast Collectibles has more products and games set to arrive in the coming weeks.
To see more of what the shop has to offer and to find out about upcoming gaming events, visit North Coast Collectibles online on Instagram or Facebook or in person at 606 Ludington Street. The shop is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with additional evening hours added for events.
