By ExperienceRick — Founder of XPStore

When I first imagined XPStore, I didn’t want to build just another local game store. I wanted to build an experience.

I’ve been in the trading card space for most of my life—first as a player, then a collector, and now as a streamer, entrepreneur, and advocate for what this hobby really means to people. Trading cards aren’t just about cardboard—they’re about connection. They’re how friendships form, how rivalries are born, and how Friday nights become memories.

But somewhere along the way, the old-school LGS model stopped working.

Too many shops felt cluttered, intimidating, or outdated. Players were either overwhelmed with product or underwhelmed with community. And for store owners, the costs and risks of keeping shelves stocked with expensive Singles—especially in today’s market—can make running a local game shop a logistical nightmare.

That’s where XPStore comes in.

The Future of Local Game Stores Is Lean, Flexible, and Fun

XPStore is a pop-up style game store that operates 7 days a week with a very intentional twist: we keep almost no product on-site.
Instead, we connect everything to our successful e-commerce backend. Players can browse through our in-store kiosk (or even ahead of time online at XPStore.co), and order exactly what they need—no guesswork, no pressure. It’s shipped or ready for pickup the next day.

This means our physical store stays focused on what matters: the people.
We host tournaments, learn-to-play sessions, casual meetups, and eventually, full-blown league play. Our tables are clean. Our screens play cool anime and gameplay replays. Our vibe is welcoming to both hardcore players and first-timers. And because we don’t rely on a big stockroom or high cash volume, we stay secure, agile, and affordable.

Powered by Passion, Not Just Product

One of the best parts of XPStore is the team. I partnered with the crew from my local UPS Store—yes, seriously—because they’re some of the most reliable, detail-driven, and TCG-savvy people I know. They know how to handle cards, care about customers, and are just as hyped about this space as I am. When you walk into XPStore, you’re not dealing with bored retail workers—you’re surrounded by people who get it.

Come Build With Us

XPStore isn’t about me. It’s about you.
It’s about the kid who wants to learn how to play Lorcana for the first time.
It’s about the longtime Modern grinder looking for their next FNM home.
It’s about the parent who wants to surprise their kid with a safe, fun place to learn Pokémon.
And yes—it’s about the serious collector who wants top-tier cards without paying premium markups or waiting a week for shipping.

So come visit.
Come play.
Come experience what a modern game store should feel like.

We’ll be here.

— Rick