End of an Era, Not the End…

To my valued customers, my friends & family, my store manager Robert Davis, and the Central Massachusetts gaming community as a whole,

It is with a heavy heart, a clear mind, and an outlook towards returning in upcoming years that I deliver to you the news that The Battle Standard LLC will be consolidating the business to CT. The Auburn, MA property will officially close it’s doors on Friday, June 2nd after Friday Night Magic. This decision was not made lightly. I strongly believe we have a place in Central Massachusetts and I intend to return there in the not so far off future. However, in order to do that I must strengthen the business and continue our efforts at our more successful East Windsor, CT property.

The unavoidable question…why? Why now?

I have had my business in Auburn, MA for two years+ now and I genuinely appreciate the gaming community, the individual player enthusiasm, and the interest shown in sharing in my goal to “Raise the Standard of Tabletop Gaming”. Unfortunately, I was unable to make it work in that particular building in that particular location.

This decision does not come on the heels of any one thing. I cannot blame poor management, a bad location, or a failure of the customer base to support local gaming. I’m sure an argument could be made for any and all of those things along with other factors I have yet to discover, but none are THE reason. It is simply a business decision. We have a 2 year clause in our lease that allows us to vacate this month without being responsible for the full 8 years should the business not be performing well. I, as the owner of the company, made the decision that it is indeed not performing well despite best efforts. Important to note is this, Robert Davis came to me in November of last year (2016) and almost single-handed turned things around for the MA store. In fact, if not for Robert, this decision would not be a very difficult one to make.

The important thing moving forward is simply to exit gracefully, rejuvenate, and return at full strength to resume the position of THE top-notch tabletop gaming venue in Central Massachusetts. If someone assumes that role in our absence, and we truly hope someone does, rest assured we’ll bring our “A” game to raise the standard yet again! My hopes are that you remember The Battle Standard MA as one of the great gaming stores until we return. That you visit us in CT should you have the time to make the drive. And that you continue to enjoy the hobby and promote the fulfilling experience that is tabletop gaming!