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rom https://www.kptv.com/2025/12/12/portlands-first-game-store-co-op-leaving-hollywood-district-after-costly-break-ins/

PortlandrCOs first game store co-op leaving Hollywood District after
costly break-ins

OregonrCOs first worker-owned and operated game store is leaving its
location in PortlandrCOs Hollywood District, citing costly burglaries and
a need for more space
By Leslie Dominique
Published: Dec. 11, 2025 at 11:08 PM PST
PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - OregonrCOs first worker-owned and operated game
store is leaving its location in Northeast PortlandrCOs Hollywood
District, citing costly burglaries and a need for more space.

From Magic: The Gathering to Pok|-mon to Dungeons & Dragons, there isnrCOt
a board or card game that hasnrCOt been played at PlayerrCOs Union Games on Northeast 42nd Avenue.

The store has been open since 2019, with the worker co-op taking over ownership two years ago.

PlayerrCOs Union has hosted regular community game nights that have become
a staple for local fans, including themed events like MTG Cube Night and Commander Open Play.

rCLIrCOve existed in a lot of spaces like this one where itrCOs very affectionate, and itrCOs just a lot of nerds getting together and playing their hobbies,rCY said co-owner Clio McCormick.

This winter, the co-op is preparing to say goodbye to its Hollywood
location.

McCormick said the decision followed a string of costly break-ins.
According to the Portland Police Bureau, during an Oct. 4 burglary,
someone heavily damaged the storerCOs front wall and door to gain entry, possibly by ramming it with a car.

Two more burglaries followed in November. The owners said the thieves
stole cases of booster packs.

PPB also said burglaries were reported at the shop on April 10 and Feb.
21 of this year.

Sgt. Kevin Allen, a spokesperson for PPB, said crimes like these are
what prompted the creation of Multnomah CountyrCOs Burglary Task Force.
rCLWe really want to catch the criminals who are committing these burglaries,rCY Allen said.

According to McCormick, the store has had to replace its front door
twice because of damage from the October and November break-ins.

rCLAfter the door incidents, we were not able to get the support from our property management that we needed to secure ourselves and make that
safe again for us, and I think that is what made us a target,rCY McCormick said.

Neighbors who arenrCOt gamers themselves say theyrCOre sad to see the store go.

rCLI like to see businesses thrive, and I like young people to have
something they enjoy,rCY said Veronica B., who has lived in the Hollywood neighborhood for more than a decade.

Veronica said that since the pandemic she has seen numerous businesses
leave the district, including Target and Dollar Tree, largely due to theft.

rCLThey had guards; they did everything they could at Target to stay in
that area, but it was just too much theft,rCY she said.

For the PlayerrCOs Union team, itrCOs a difficult goodbye to a community
they say theyrCOve loved. But theyrCOre looking forward to a fresh start rCo and more space rCo at their new location.

PlayerrCOs Union Games plans to be fully moved into its new shop at 7311
NE Sandy Blvd. by New YearrCOs Day. Its grand opening weekend is scheduled
for Jan. 23rCo25.

rCLWerCOre looking to bring our whole community with us, and hopefully we
can get more community members from Gresham and Vancouver driving in to
join us,rCY said co-owner Daisy Amanita.

The store has launched an online fundraiser to help with the cost of the
move.

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