This Holiday season, I really, really , REALLY want to encourage all of my friends and family to support our local game store, GMI Games. I have a special place in my heart for all game stores-- as a young geek, it was stores like GMI where I first found acceptance, met friends and had my mind expanded far beyond the abusive, trrifying home I was raised in. Stores like GMI are becoming increasingly rare-- internet sales, e-bay and big box stores make it nearly impossible for a small store to compete. What you have to understand about a great game store is that they are so much more than their merchandise. There are hundreds of kids here in Riverside like I was as a kid: lonely, a little too smart for their own good, poor social skills, love to read. Yes, we're geeks and nerds, but we are people, too. Kids that get into gaming form strong, loyal friendships, generally do better in school, watch much less tv, and stay out of trouble. Gaming, even Dungeons & Dragons, is good for kids-- and multiple studies show that kids that play games with their parents growing up are significantly less likely to do drugs or have sex in their teen years.
The store is run by Rob and Katherine, two exceptional people who work VERY hard and genuinely care for the kids that hang out in their store. They often stay open very, very late-- not because there is business, but because there are still kids hanging out that have no one to pick them up, and nowhere else to go. WalMart sure wouldn't do that.
So, please make a visit to GMI this season, or if you don't live in Riverside, call them or use their (primitive) website. To my Christian friends, if you have a concern about anything they sell, drop me a line and let's talk. I will tell you, normally the only "Christians" who enter their store are Jerks for Jesus that condemn them and say hateful things, leaving only bad feelings and pamphlets behind. For our community to rally around this amazing, family owned business would be good, don't you agree?
Plus, they have all kinds of games, and can order you anything you want (Katherine got us "Pit" in 3 days!). For all you Settlers of Cataan junkies, they have all the expansions! They also have paintball and hobby/craft supplies, and models. Well, pictures speak louder than words-- see below. Thank you for reading about one of my favorite places!
This is where the action happens-- there is ALWAYS people playing on the tables... 
The "other" half of the store:
Katherine-- the game Queen herself. Tell her Tom sent you!
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