Phoenix readers react to the closure of Imperial Outpost Games

Imperial Outpost Games owner Darren Johnson. Benjamin Leatherman

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "21251496",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "21327862",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "16759093",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "17980324",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "21934225",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25          
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "17980324",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17012245",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

When Imperial Outpost Games in Glendale announced plans to close next month, tabletop gamers and geeks of the Valley were stunned and saddened at the news.

It’s no surprise the closure hit hard, given Imperial Outpost’s legendary status among the Valley’s dice-throwing, miniature-painting, campaign-waging crowd.

The 5,800-square-foot shop near Thunderbird Road and 51st Avenue has been a cornerstone of the local gaming community since 1998 and a place to gather, gear up or and geek out.

Despite the emotional response from longtime patrons, owner Darren Johnson told Phoenix New Times recently that the decision to close wasn’t easy, but ultimately was inevitable due to economic factors and various health issues.

click to enlarge

The interior of Imperial Outpost Games in Glendale.

Benjamin Leatherman

“It's not one thing. It's a combination of 30 different things. I had a stroke last year and I’m fortunately recovering very well from it, but I want to get the stress out of my life,” Johnson told New Times. “And in a small business such as this, it's just constant stress.”

Last week, Phoenix New Times reported on Imperial Outpost’s impending closure. The story trended on the New Times website for several days while multiple Facebook posts received 443 reactions and 54 shares. Readers also mourned the store and offered memories. Here’s a look at some of what they said:

Ray, a former game store owner, commiserated on Imperial Outpost’s closing:

Having owned a game store in Tucson, Hardcastle Cards and Games, I can relate to the stress of it all. Can I meet rent, taxes, payroll, working 100 hours a week and the list just goes on. It takes a toll. The best day and the worst day of my life was when i sold it.

Nathan has many happy memories of the store:

IO was a bastion for wonderful fantastic experiences. When I would come to Phoenix to visit friends, this was always a stop on the list of things to do. I wish him all the best as he heads to Montana to a well deserved retirement.

Blaine said replacing Imperial Outpost won’t be easy:

It's going to be very hard to find a game shop as amazing as IO. Darren set the bar pretty high.

Tiffany was a longtime patron of the place:

The store will be sorely missed. My son and his friends have played hours of games there. It’s such a gem of a store and we’re definitely sad to see it go.

Imperial Outpost was a sanctuary for Kris:

This place was an absolute weekend safe haven when I first moved to Phoenix

click to enlarge

Imperial Outpost in Glendale offered space for local gamers to work on their miniatures.

Benjamin Leatherman

Travis described the store as a welcome haven for younger gamers:

A safe place for underage to game and paint. It will be missed.

Drew and his nearest and dearest visited often:

My family bought many games from them. Always friendly, ready with a good recommendation. I'm sad to see them go and appreciate the many wonderful nights they had a hand in.

Christopher says Imperial Outpost was an institution:

This was *the* game store in the valley, bar none. Our little subculture is suffering a major loss from this. Best of luck to Darren, though. He's earned a comfortable retirement.