Shandor Collins is a prime example of a first-generation computer and video gamer.
“When I was growing up, it was all about Pac-Man and before that Pong and Atari 2600,” said Collins, 36. “So I’ve always loved video games and anything to do with computers.”
Like many people his age, Collins spent most of his money at arcades as a kid, jacking quarters into the classic video games of the time, including Pac-Man, Donkey Kong and Frogger.
Unlike most people from his generation, however, his passion for video games was not just a passing phase. Today, Collins and his wife, Donghee, own Gamebreakerz – a unique store that offers customers an opportunity to play video games, both PC and console (Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 3) in a social atmosphere. The store also sells the latest games and computer parts and accessories.
Gamebreakerz, newly opened at 4111 A St. E. in Auburn, got its start nearly a decade ago in Kent. Originally on Central Avenue, the business was called Video Gaming Central. In December 2001, Collins moved the store to another location in Kent, changing the name to Gamebreakerz.
“That’s when the Gamebreakerz concept was born,” Collins said.
From the beginning, Collins said Gamebreakerz was about more than just being a place to pick up some hardware and play games.
“I’ve always been deeply grounded in community and family and doing something for kids,” Collins said. “I just wanted to give kids some place to go. Everybody has such a negative view on video games. They think that they are not active or socializing. But they are a great social avenue, especially with the online age we’re in now.”
The key to the Gamebreakerz approach, according to Collins, is “putting a face” on the online gaming experience.
“Most people sit at home. They’ll play, but you never get to see the other person,” he said. “Here we have a place where you can bring a group of friends and play the same game together. It’s a totally different game experience and the way the game was meant to be played.”
After several years in their Kent location, Collins said they decided to move the store to Bonney Lake. After a couple of years there, Collins couldn’t pass up the opportunity to open the store at the intersection of A Street and Ellingson Road in Auburn.
“The visibility with this particular location had an appeal,” he said. “There is a lot traffic on Ellingson, there is a lot of traffic by A Street. It’s very central to a lot of schools and a main artery for traffic.
“We’re very confident that we have established ourselves. We’ve won a couple of awards. People trust us, so were confident we could move and bring our customers,” he said.
“I just wanted to be a positive influence and get that negative stereotype away from gaming,” he added. “And I think we’ve done that. It’s always been about the kids and community. It’s great. I wouldn’t trade this for anything.”
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We’re open
Gamebrekerz provides in-store gaming on PC computers, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii, in addition to computer parts, service and sales. The store also sells controllers, sound and video cards and other hardware and software. The store is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. 9 p.m.; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information visit the Gamerbreakerz Web site at www.gamebreakerz.com or call the store at 253-833-8282.
