The Void video game, hobby store is ‘by gamers, for gamers’ 

ONTARIO — Roger Drake said he misses when video games were a group experience.

“I feel like the newer stuff isn’t like back in the day when everyone played together,” he said.

The owner of The Void video game and hobby store in Ontario, Drake said one of his goals with the businesses is to provide a space for video game tournaments and card games.

“It’s by gamers, for gamers,” Drake said. “We want you to come in, be happy and want to come back. And I don’t care if you spend money or just want to hang out and talk.”

The Void opened a Marion location in March 2023, and has operated its Ontario location at 2268 Stumbo Road South since early August. The store carries new and used games, consoles, cards and collectibles.

“Collectibles tend to take up a lot more room than games and cards, so we definitely have more collectibles at our Marion store, but we have a few here,” Drake said.

Staff members test all used products and have a 30-day defect warranty on all purchases. The Void also offers buy, sell, trade — with store credit redeemable at either the Ontario or Marion locations.

The Void Ontario features game room for play, tournaments

Drake said the Ontario location has sold a number of PlayStation 2s and PS3s, as well as handheld consoles and video games.

The Marion native said part of his inspiration for opening an Ontario location was Buybacks closing its Lexington-Springmill Road store.

“I thought Ontario and Mansfield needed another video game store after they closed,” he said.

The Void features wall art illustrated by Art By Wendy from Marion.

“The response from the community has been my favorite part. You’re always nervous coming into a new venture like this, but our customers so far have been really supportive.”

The Void’s table game room has custom tables to move around for Magic: The Gathering tournaments, video game competitions and more. Drake said the game room has a capacity for about 16 players.

“It will be fun in here,” he said. “I’d also love to do release parties for new games and things like that.”

Drake said he also wants to get involved in events outside the gaming sphere and work with other community organizations.

“We’re still building those connections out here, but I like what we’ve been able to do in Marion to support the community,” he said.

Drake said The Void staff restocks its inventory weekly, so customers can come back and find something new each time.

“Our biggest thing is having cool stuff for people to enjoy and good service,” he said. 

The Void is open seven days a week from noon to 8 p.m. The store is located at 2268 Stumbo Road South and is also on Facebook and TikTok.