When she met Mark in college they began to dream of owning a gaming store like Valhalla s Gate. Each owner, except Katie, has another full-time job. Since the store s opening in August 2000, Thaddeus said the store has done enough to keep the doors open. But the enjoyment of being involved in the games is the real reason why they opened the store, Thaddeus said. The customers are mostly men.
Many fathers bring their sons to play the games.
The appeal of pretending to be heroes might be what draws more men than women, Suzanne said. It s like playing G.I. Joe with rules, said Kemp, a regular at Valhalla s Gate. It s hard to get bored.