Katelyn Winberg | Special to the Aberdeen News
- The GAMEShop in Aberdeen, South Dakota, aims to foster community through gaming.
- Owner Levi Lather sells refurbished games, consoles, vintage toys and other nostalgic items.
- Lather prioritizes quality, community and customer experience.
- The store plans to host tournaments and events in the future.
In a time when most gaming happens alone and online, one new business in Aberdeen is aiming to change that.
The GAMEShop officially opened its doors with a soft launch on May 21, but a full grand opening is planned for Aug. 1. For owner Levi Lather, the goal isn’t just to sell video games — it’s to bring people together.
“In the digital age, everything is behind the screen,” Lather said. “I think gaming is a great connection tool. The younger generation doesn’t really come together to game in person anymore.”
His hope is that The GAMEShop will be more than a store — it will be a place for people to hang out, start conversations and feel like they belong.
“It’s about community,” Lather said.
The shop sells refurbished games and consoles, vintage toys, T-shirts, Pokémon cards and just about anything that sparks nostalgia. Everything is cleaned and repaired before it hits the shelf.
“Video games are becoming collectibles,” Lather said. “I want to give people the experience of something new, even if it’s old.”
Finding the right space took about a year and a half.
“The price was right, and the person leasing the space has been a huge blessing,” he said.
Getting the store up and running hasn’t come without challenges. Lather is currently operating solo, which makes keeping up with customer traffic tough at times. Still, he’s focused on quality over quantity.
“There are three things that make this place different,” he said. “The quality of the refurbished products, the sense of community and the customer experience. I’ve been working with people for over 20 years, and I think I have a talent for making them feel welcome.”
Right now, the typical customer is between 20 and 50 years old — many of them coming in to rediscover games from their childhood. But younger kids stop by, too.
“As long as they’re respectful and with their parents, I’m happy to have them here instead of out on the streets,” Lather said.
Gaming has always been a big part of Lather’s life. He grew up on the original Nintendo, but it was the Nintendo 64 that really got him hooked.
“That’s when I started beating games and felt a real sense of accomplishment,” he said.
These days, he still plays a little of everything — from first-person shooters like Halo and Destiny to strategy games.
The GAMEShop, located at 8 Second Ave. SE, has plans to host tournaments and other events, starting with one during the grand opening. A membership program is also in the works. Until then, the best way to stay updated is by following the shop on Facebook.
Looking ahead, the vision is clear: make The GAMEShop a go-to hangout in Aberdeen — and maybe beyond.
“I’d love to grow statewide someday,” Lather said. “But what matters most is creating a strong, healthy community. I’d rather have that than grow fast or get rich.”
And he’s open to ideas.
“If anyone wants to plan an event or has suggestions, I’d love to work with them,” he said. “This place is for everyone.”
