Shop Owner Insight: World Of Games 2.0, Lakeville, Minnesota
World Of Games 2.0 in Lakeville, Minnesota, is a local card store that offers Vintage Video Games, Trading Cards, Tasty Peach, and many related accessories. As a female-owned business, they are proud of their female-friendly atmosphere, great customer service, and self proclaimed lower prices than most Local Game Stores.
Founded in 2006, World of Games has proudly served the Vintage Video Games, Trading Card Games, Computing, Collectibles, and many other related needs of Lakeville and the surrounding areas for nearly 20 years.
In 2017, Amy Baker took ownership of the store in honor of her brother. Now named World of Games 2.0, she has maintained the high quality customer service and low prices that World of Games has always been known for.
I spoke with Amy Baker about what collectors can expect when they visit, common misconceptions about card shops, and how the hobby has changed in recent years.
Shop Owner Q&A
The Origin Story: “What inspired you to open your store?
World of Games was the store where I originally learned to play MTG, and I become fast friends with the owner and his fiancé. When Phil, the original owner decided to retire, he offered the store to me, as he knew how much the community meant to me, and all the friends I’d made at the store. I jumped at the chance, as I wanted to own a store in honor of my brother who’d passed away. My brother had started his own game store, but as he was a wonderful and trusting person, he never put down legal documents for his ownership, and the friend who had been running it during my brothers treatment and what ended up being his final days, took over the store and erased my brothers legacy in the store. When I took over the store I wanted to keep that connection, So I changed it to “World of Games 2.0” Not to say that we’re a better version, but just the next upgrade.
The “Grail”: What’s the most incredible card or collection that has ever walked through your door?
I’ve been collecting Pokémon since the beginning and at one point had a base set Charizard walk through the door, sadly it was stolen, and I wish we’d be able to complete the big three. I hadn’t seen a base set Charizard since my childhood. We don’t really keep super expensive cards in the store now, but we just love seeing other people’s collections.
What is the one thing (vintage, modern, wax) collectors should drive to your shop to find?
We’re a community, we focus on the people. If you want to feel a wonderful and welcoming store, then come on out. We strive to make sure all our prices are fair, and that we have cards for everyone, from bulk starting at .10 and working our hardest to keep prices at MSRP for every set possible.
The Vibe: How would you describe the shop’s atmosphere to a new visitor?
We’re laid back and welcoming, an LGBTQIA+ community, that’s woman and minority owned and led. Were for the people who never found a place to fit it, so we made a place we fit in. Our goal will always be to make the space for people who want to game, collect or just gush about all the things they love.
The Pro-Tip: What’s one piece of advice you have for local collectors?
Just buy what you like. I loved Pokémon the first time I saw it. No one cared, I even got picked on and laughed at for loving these things, but now I have cards that are worth more to me than the dollar amount their valued at. You’ll only really regret the things you passed on if you let other people dictate what’s cool to you.
Final Takeaway
I always say we’re not for everyone and that’s true. We don’t chase trends or try to cash in fast, we want to bring in things that our customers like, but at the same time that means we have things you’d never expect to see in other stores. We’re a store full of good people and bad capitalists.
