Finding magic in new location

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Press Photo by Ashley Martin Todd Heck, right, visits with Nate Kostelecky as he purchases playing cards at Crossroad Hobbies in Dickinson Friday. The business recently moved to downtown Dickinson.

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After three years in Dickinson, Crossroad Hobbies has moved downtown.

Owner Todd Heck said the space he moved into last month offers more exposure.

“We’re in an awesome spot where people can find us,” he said. “I get a lot of walk-in traffic that I never used to get.”

The store also offers an ideal space to display merchandise.

“This is one big room and it just feels and looks better,” Heck said.

Crossroad Hobbies began with Heck’s lifelong love of games.

“I’ve played games my whole life and I used to buy a lot of games online for myself,” he said.

Heck began selling games and eventually decided to sell them for a living.

There are no electronic games sold at the store. Employee David Garig said the lack of electronics is what makes the store unique.

“You can find those all over the place,” Garig said.

Heck enjoys the company board games and other non-electronic games offer.

“It’s a different quality,” he said. “You can sit in front of a computer all day long, but to get somebody in front of you and mentally challenge them, is unique.”

Garig agrees.

“I prefer board games because you get together with a group of people, rather than not even talking to a person online,” Garig said.

Heck said the games bring friends and family together.

“People used to do it all the time,” Heck said.

Tournaments for the game Magic the Gathering are held every Friday night. Players have the chance to win cards from the game during tournaments.

“We will teach someone how to play if they’re interested,” Heck said. “Our tournaments will range from age 12 to mid-50s. We get a pretty good mix.”

Heck said he would like to expand on the tournaments, possibly adding games.

He also hopes to hold painting contests for miniature figurines used in role playing games.

“They paint those up so they look like actual little people,” Heck said. “It’s amazing.”

Heck plans get rid of some product lines and bring new items in, he said. He would like to add a larger variety of hobbies.

Embroidery supplies and baking molds are also available.

“We can special order pretty much any craft item that exists,” Heck said.

Crossroad Hobbies is located at 32 First Ave. W. The business is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. To contact Heck, call 701-483-5885.

Tags: business, crossroad, hobbies, gathering, todd, heck, garig