Archive: This review describes a visit in 2018. One directory reports the shop permanently closed; other listings still show hours, so its current status has not been independently confirmed.
In 2018, we visited Higher Buxton shop The Grove Goodies and Geekery to find out what went on there.
At the time, The Grove Goodies and Geekery offered a destination for comics and games fans. The premises had previously been a DVD rental shop and a cybercafé.
I’ve been into comics and board games for all of my life (I’m 45) and I’m surrounded by my large collection, although it’s recently got smaller to make room for a girlfriend. I probably haven’t got enough life left to justify re-reading 300 issues of The X Men and gave the lot to my younger cousin. Back in the old days, pre-Harry Potter, Twilight, Hunger Games, Pokémon, etc. being a geek wasn’t as widespread or acceptable as it is now. I’ve endured a lot of stick for being into Star Wars, Batman and Lord of the Rings. Nowadays, not so much.
Equipped to decipher the mysteries of The G.G.& G. I paid them a visit and was at once heartened at the sight of a group of young gentlemen enthusiastically tackling a game of Pokémon in the gaming area. The owner, Lee, was very friendly and happy to chat. He had no experience of the board game I currently favour, Blood Rage, but there are thousands of games out there at the moment so he, or anyone else for that matter, can be forgiven. He told me his shop had been open for 18 months and that he had enjoyed some success attracting people to play collectable card games such as Yu-Gi-Oh and Magic and roleplaying games such as Dungeons and Dragons. At the time, he ran games on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights as well as during the day. In fact, Lee told me that he champions the involvement of people with disabilities. As a former advocate for young people with learning difficulties, I can appreciate that gaming groups can be a great activity to help individuals overcome their social barriers.
Lee was combining a space for fans of fantasy, science fiction and horror with a welcoming place for people who might experience obstacles in daily life. As well as a space to play, the shop sold comic books, graphic novels, T-shirts and snacks.
Ben Jones for Explore Buxton.
The shop’s Facebook page was listed in the original review.
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