Excelsior Springs, Mo.— Excelsior Springs gained a new place to immerse in unique stories and make community with the opening of Black Flame Books & Games on Friday, September 6.
Owners Austin and Elle Pettley of Smithville said the idea grew out of their long-time love of fantasy books and games. After several years of wanting to run a game store, Austin decided to move forward when he found himself looking for work. The store’s name, Black Flame, was chosen by Pettley’s after they came across the phrase in several fantasy novels.
Opening a business felt like the right step for them, and Excelsior Springs seemed like the right location, as he felt there was a need in the community.
Austin is also a published author and has his own novel, Against All Odds, available on their shelves. He describes it as an epic fantasy inspired by a Dungeons & Dragons campaign he once ran.
The store’s book selection focuses mainly on fantasy, while the game side includes everything from quick party games to longer strategy and deck-building games. Austin said his goal is to provide a little of everything, from casual titles to more complex gameplay. The Pettley’s shared that they are happy to assist with recommendations for those browsing their book and game selection.
For those interested in getting involved in events, there are scheduled opportunities throughout each week. Tuesdays will feature a free learn-to-play board game night with a different game each week. Wednesdays will offer a beginner-friendly Dungeons & Dragons session for $10, which includes a dice set and character sheet. Thursdays are set aside for casual Pokémon play, while Fridays will host competitive Star Wars Unlimited tournaments with booster packs awarded for wins. Saturdays will be devoted to casual Magic: The Gathering.
In addition to events, the shop has tables available for community use. Visitors are welcome to bring their own groups and pull from a library of about 20 in-house games, with more planned as the store grows. Snacks and drinks are available to purchase, and Pettley intends to expand both the stock and the play library over time.
Alongside his own work, Black Flame carries other fantasy titles from authors like Brandon Sanderson and Diana Wynne Jones. He noted that most of the books on the shelves are personal favorites, though the selection will expand as customers share their own recommendations and preferences.
Though the store has just opened, Austin shared that he hopes the store becomes a nice, go-to shop people can come hang out and enjoy immersive stories. Austin also hopes to add other services, like online orders, as interest grows.
Black Flame Books & Games is open Tuesday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., and on Saturdays from noon to 9 p.m. with events planned each week. They are located at 246 E Broadway Ave. They recommend visiting in person, their official site, or their Facebook page to learn more.
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