A York shop will close for good this evening – after an ‘unforgettable journey’.
Geek Retreat on Low Ousegate is having one more gaming session tonight (Thursday) before shutting its doors for good.
It opened in the former STA Travel shop in January 2022.
Part shop, part café and part event space, Geek Retreat quickly established itself as a popular spot with everyone who loves gaming, superhero films and other aspects of geek culture.
It was run by Ben Allen, who came to York in 2008 as a film and television student at York St John University.
He has posted about the closure on the store’s Facebook page.
“Yes, I am choosing to shut the store,” Ben writes.
“No, it’s not an easy choice, but it is the only choice left. Geek Retreat York has been the little gaming store that could, but that’s been down to my willingness to push it with all I have, and to the brilliant staff who’ve chosen to stand beside me and shove too.
“We’ve done the best we can, and we’ve had some incredible times, but I need to call it a day and move onto my next adventure.
“I’ve made some lifelong friends and some incredible memories here, and that’s no small thing.”
It will close this evening after all the events have concluded. “We’re going to have one last big Yu-Gi-Oh! blow out, so please come by and see us off,” Ben said.
He added: “Thank you for making this a journey I will never forget.
“I’ve been lucky to see so many people arrive as eggs and then watch them hatch into their true selves within the walls of our little shop.
“Thank you for trusting and believing in us.”