Discover a premium gaming store made for all your niche fandom needs.
Ever felt envious when the Hellfire Club (Stranger Things) gathered to play Dungeons & Dragons? Wishing you could find some people and a place where you can let your inner dungeon master or bard out? Well, that’s what the Big Bang Shop was created for, it’s a win for South African geek culture.
This space offers a welcoming atmosphere for everyone to join in, discover a new hobby, grow their current ones and have fun. Greeting you at the door is a life-sized Iron Man MK7 (from Iron Man 3) statue and shelves upon shelves showcasing those limited edition releases and rare collectables. Being able to combine different modes of gaming and interests under one roof took a significant amount of time to plan and work through, working with TMD Studios, owner Zane Ramnundlall didn’t back down from the challenge, “It was important to create a space that wasn’t just a store but a community hub where people felt safe and encouraged to enjoy their interests,” he explains. What resulted from his vision was a cohesive and inclusive environment where you can be immersed in the experience comfortably, and a photo-ready set-up so you can also capture your visit—try taking a picture underneath the light arch!
What is geek culture, exactly? It includes media like comics, movies, manga and anime, games both digital and tabletop, collectable figurines and elements from these worlds as well, expressing an appreciation for complex storylines and themes. “From trading card games (like Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, One Piece, and Yu-Gi-Oh!) to an impressive selection of board games, video games, and collectables, there’s something for everyone,” Zane elaborates. The store also sources and stocks exclusive figures, collectables, and memorabilia. So, if you’re just starting out your collection or find a rare piece that catches your eye to add to an existing collection, you’re sure to find something you’ll like. Eevee and Vaporeon nearly came home with me! The store also hosts regular game nights and day events, with each event dedicated to a different game or theme, “You can join in tournaments, friendly matches, and meetups for different gaming communities,” Zane says. So if you’re a League enthusiast, you don’t have to be jealous of the D&D campaigners, your time will come! They even adjust the screens, projectors, and speakers to play themed videos and music related to that event.
Emphasising a friendly and inclusive environment, Zane mentions, “Families, solo players, and groups of friends will all find something to enjoy. Whether you’re a die-hard fan looking for rare items or just want to relax with a cup of coffee and enjoy a board game, The Big Bang Shop offers a unique space to do so.” The layout also allows for a community-driven environment, with the tables and chairs being comfortable and spacious, perfect for hours of engaging gameplay or just playing some relaxing rounds of board games.
Making sure your monsters don’t get sent to the shadow realm can be tiring and work up an appetite, so when you place your card face down and end your turn, you can grab a cappuccino, chai or hot chocolate, with adorable art, and a signature Big Bang Cookie, adding to the comfort and convenience while facing down Seto Kaiba (or your friend who thinks he’s him).
Can’t wait to get started? They’ve got a few exciting events planned for the festive season, including holiday-themed game nights, Christmas collectables drop, an end-of-year tournament, family fun days, and holiday sales and promotions. Already needing to expand the space to accommodate larger crowds, it’s great to see The Big Bang Shop being so well-received by the community, we’ve been waiting!
Instagram: @bigbangshopsa
Words: Cristina Govender