Games, Playthings and Plush

What’s Gaining (From page 169)

here is to stock a variety of options. Because they know the business well, they usually look at what sells best and order more in that area, but sometimes taking risks with unique or intriguing designs pays off, said Bigglestone.

At the 1,300-square-foot Big Fun Columbus, they mainly sell vintage board games. Owner Jason Floyd Williams said sales of vintage games are on the decline, while he noted neighbors who sell primarily newer games have seen steady sales during the pandemic.

Williams sees the trend continuing–where new games will outsell most vintage games. However, he thinks that vintage games like Mall Madness, Dark Tower, and Hero Quest will always hold a special spot for collectors.

At Big Fun, their puzzle selection is small– primarily made up of Super 7 puzzles and vintage ones. But a few independent companies have reached out recently, so they’ll be expanding the selection with these, said Williams. “Our puzzles have sold well. I think puzzles have become therapeutic for folks during the pandemic.”

Kathleen Donahue , owner of the 3,000-square-foot Labyrinth Games & Puzzles located in Washington, D.C., said sales are up even when compared with 2019 numbers. Now, they’re starting to see customers–including some tourists–coming back excited and ready to spend the disposable income they put on ‘hold’ while quarantined at home. As a result, they’re selling more expensive games. And sales of collectible card games like Pokémon and Magic the Gathering are “still off the charts,” Donahue said.

Trends in board games tend to be fluid, said Donahue, but they are currently selling plenty of two player and solitaire player games. They’re seeing an uptick in social party and complex games, but there has been a slight downturn in sales of games for kids.

Last spring, puzzles

Continued on page 172