The Gryphon’s Nest has settled into its West Main Street home. Owned by Chris Griffin, the business is both a collectible gaming hobby store and a gathering place for those who love to play.

 

“We have events on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and this place is packed,” Griffin said. “On Feb. 17, the group WV Nerd Herd will be taking over my shop and all they do is play board games, so that will be a first.”

 

Some of the most popular games sold at The Gryphon’s Nest are Pokemon, Magic the Gathering, Disney Lorcana, Dungeons and Dragons and Betrayal at House on the Hill.

Griffin is from Morgantown, but originally lived in the Lumberport/Shinnston area. He grew up gaming.

 

“I frequented Dina’s Collectibles in Fairmont. The guys and girls that came in there and played were from all different walks of life. There were all different cliques – jocks, nerds, skater kids and athletes – all who shared a common interest in playing cards,” he said.

 

Playing games face-to-face is such a good disconnect, he said.

 

“That’s why I’m trying to grow a welcoming community for gamers – whether it’s board or card games, role playing games or miniature games,” he said.

 

The most popular miniature game is Warhammer 40K which features little models of tanks and armored robots.

 

“They meticulously paint and detail them and stylize them as their own,” he said. “They build trains, little trees and grass hills – setting them up on a table and battling each other.”

 

Role playing games, he said, involve creating one’s own character then he and other players do quests and adventures together.

Last month, The Gryphon’s Nest hosted a Disney Lorcana event with everyone from little kids to middle agers.

 

“Parents brought their little ones in to introduce them to something beyond video games,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong. I love video games, too, but the world needs more places for people to get together and commune with one another.”

 

The Gryphon’s Nest is open 11 a.m. through 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. It is located at 126 West Main Street, previously occupied by DeNuzzo's Italian Deli.

 

As a teenager, he frequented the downtown Bridgeport area and has watched it grow.

 

“It’s developed with places like Music on Main, Almost Heaven and all the little boutiques,” he said. “The only thing this place was missing was a hobby shop.”

 

Griffin said during the month of December, he introduced himself to the community and let folks get a feel for what he was creating. Then he began delving into the business, hosting events and building his inventory – which is still in progress.

 

It isn’t his first rodeo, so to speak.

 

“I used to have a side business where I steamed and played video games for about five years, but this is my first ever true brick and mortar business,” he said.

 

His degrees are in IT and he has worked in programming in the past.

 

The Gryphon’s Nest is a safe place for gamers of all ages.

 

“It’s very PG and later in the evening when the kids are gone, it might be a little PG13,” he said. “All players mind their Ps and Qs.”

Chips and bottled water and soda are available for purchase. Some gaming events will be catered, he said.

 

To help create the environment he has envisioned, Griffin is working with local artists Brandy Hedley.

 

“She’s painting a mural on the entire back wall – a cobblestone and wood mural with a tavern sign saying The Gryphon’s Nest with a Gryphon in the middle,” he said. “The whole look of this place eventually will look like a medieval fantasy tavern.”

 

The name of the store is two-fold, a play on Griffin’s name and a mythological creature with the body, hind legs and tail of a lion and the wings, front talons, and head of an eagle. The creature is symbolic of power, wealth, courage, and prestige.