DawnStar Video Games and Arcade co-owners Andrew Griimoiire (left) and Dakotah Coates. DawnStar is planning to relocate to a larger space in Scott’s Addition. (Jack Jacobs photos)
A local video game shop and arcade is leveling up in Scott’s Addition, just as a related record shop is likewise planning an expansion of its own.
After about four years on Altamont Avenue, DawnStar Video Games and Arcade is planning to relocate to a larger space that will keep it in the neighborhood.
The store, which buys, sells and trades video games, consoles and merchandise, plans to reopen at 3007 W. Clay St. this fall. The move means DawnStar will share an alleyway with Wax Moon, which is taking on additional square footage in its current location.
DawnStar’s new space, at about 4,000 square feet, is more than four times larger than its current location at 1507 Altamont Ave. That will give it room to expand its retail and arcade offerings.
“We’ve been able to grow so rapidly over the last four years, we have already outgrown the 900 square feet here. We needed a bigger space and the community has also really come behind us,” said Dakotah Coates, who co-owns DawnStar with Meaghan Riley and Andrew Griimoiire.
DawnStar opened on Altamont Avenue in August 2019. It added the arcade in 2021.
In addition to sales of new and used video games, DawnStar also sells Magic: The Gathering and Pokemon cards as well as anime and manga products. With the new space, DawnStar plans to introduce tables for people to use to play Magic, Dungeon & Dragons and similar games.
DawnStar also plans to consolidate its video game tournaments and other events at the new location with the additional elbow room. Currently, the store runs its events at local breweries.
An extensive renovation of the space is underway. DawnStar declined to share how much it’s investing in the project. The space was formerly home to Gearhead Camera, which moved out to Henrico County.
Dakotah Coates (left) and Andrew Griimoiire outside of 3007-A W. Clay St., the future home of DawnStar.
DawnStar’s move will bring it closer to Wax Moon, a vinyl record store owned by Griimoiire. Wax Moon is undergoing a new phase as well, as it is expanding at its current location at 1310 Altamont Ave. to take over space formerly occupied by Recluse Roasting Project, which has moved to Lakeside.
Wax Moon is expected to complete the expansion in the late fall, too, which will bring the store to about 3,000 square feet. The plan is to use the additional space to expand its own arcade and bring a bar into the space.
Once both the record store and DawnStar finish their expansions, the plan is to have 75 arcade and pinball machines between them.
DawnStar Video Games and Arcade co-owners Andrew Griimoiire (left) and Dakotah Coates. DawnStar is planning to relocate to a larger space in Scott’s Addition. (Jack Jacobs photos)
A local video game shop and arcade is leveling up in Scott’s Addition, just as a related record shop is likewise planning an expansion of its own.
After about four years on Altamont Avenue, DawnStar Video Games and Arcade is planning to relocate to a larger space that will keep it in the neighborhood.
The store, which buys, sells and trades video games, consoles and merchandise, plans to reopen at 3007 W. Clay St. this fall. The move means DawnStar will share an alleyway with Wax Moon, which is taking on additional square footage in its current location.
DawnStar’s new space, at about 4,000 square feet, is more than four times larger than its current location at 1507 Altamont Ave. That will give it room to expand its retail and arcade offerings.
“We’ve been able to grow so rapidly over the last four years, we have already outgrown the 900 square feet here. We needed a bigger space and the community has also really come behind us,” said Dakotah Coates, who co-owns DawnStar with Meaghan Riley and Andrew Griimoiire.
DawnStar opened on Altamont Avenue in August 2019. It added the arcade in 2021.
In addition to sales of new and used video games, DawnStar also sells Magic: The Gathering and Pokemon cards as well as anime and manga products. With the new space, DawnStar plans to introduce tables for people to use to play Magic, Dungeon & Dragons and similar games.
DawnStar also plans to consolidate its video game tournaments and other events at the new location with the additional elbow room. Currently, the store runs its events at local breweries.
An extensive renovation of the space is underway. DawnStar declined to share how much it’s investing in the project. The space was formerly home to Gearhead Camera, which moved out to Henrico County.
Dakotah Coates (left) and Andrew Griimoiire outside of 3007-A W. Clay St., the future home of DawnStar.
DawnStar’s move will bring it closer to Wax Moon, a vinyl record store owned by Griimoiire. Wax Moon is undergoing a new phase as well, as it is expanding at its current location at 1310 Altamont Ave. to take over space formerly occupied by Recluse Roasting Project, which has moved to Lakeside.
Wax Moon is expected to complete the expansion in the late fall, too, which will bring the store to about 3,000 square feet. The plan is to use the additional space to expand its own arcade and bring a bar into the space.
Once both the record store and DawnStar finish their expansions, the plan is to have 75 arcade and pinball machines between them.