We take pride in supporting a wide range of retail partners across Canada. However, due to contractual agreements with our suppliers, we are unable to work with businesses classified as hobby stores. To help provide clarity and avoid any confusion during the application process, it’s important that we define what a hobby store is and how it differs from the types of retail operations we are authorized to support. Understanding this distinction ensures we can uphold our supplier commitments while continuing to build strong, long-term relationships with eligible retail partners.

What is a hobby store?

A hobby store is a retail business that primarily specializes in product categories related to personal interests and niche collector communities. These typically include:

  • Board games
  • Comic books and graphic novels
  • Collectible figures and models
  • Trading card games (e.g., Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!
  • Sports cards (e.g., Upper Deck, Panini, Topps)
  • Anime merchandise and memorabilia
  • Role-playing games (RPGs) (e.g., Dungeons & Dragons)
  • Miniatures and tabletop gaming supplies

Key Characteristics

  • The core business model centers around the above categories, even if other general merchandise is also sold.
  • They often serve as community hubs, offering dedicated space for:
    • Sanctioned events (e.g., pre-release tournaments)
    • Leagues and ongoing competitive play
    • Casual gameplay nights and hobby workshops

Additional Considerations

  • Hobby stores may have online sales channels, but their physical retail space reflects their focus on niche or collector-oriented products.
  • Employees typically have specialized knowledge of the above categories and may be active participants in the related communities.
  • The store’s branding, merchandising and in-store environment are generally tailored to hobbyist and collector culture.
  • May also carry imported goods, exclusive releases or secondary market items related to collectibles.