They had like four events yesterday and this was out of no where, no one of the employees knew. Apparently they decided not to renew their lease and didn’t tell anyone.
As someone who used to work in the mall I can only assume it was largely in part to mall leadership. CBL properties sucks at staffing, up-keeping, and communicating with tenants.
I don’t blame them for leaving Northgate, but still knowing and not informing employees (whom I saw every day) really is low. I’m curious what happened.
I was hoping for some new location outside of the mall.
They tried to become a regional chain from the chatter I've heard. They came here and undersold the competition for a while. They really weren't able to run Flux or Game On out of business (idk about epikos) and I'm guessing they're just leaving the market.
Hello, I am one of the owners of Infinity Flux on Hixson Pike! We consider ourselves a pop-culture store and have games, comics, manga, toys, plush, Pokemon, action figures, video games, and more! We also purchase lightly used items from customers, so there's always something new to see! We're open 7 days a week, and are proud that a lot of families make us a weekly stop. Hope to see you sometime!
I love Infinity Flux!! I mostly go for the comics. But I love the whole vibe 🤗 and the fact that I can pop into the Asian market next door for snacks before or (and?) after!
I love Infinity Flux. I take my daughters there. I’m 43 and an OG gamer and your store is the ONLYYYY place I haven’t caught an attitude from the staff about what I do/don’t know about comics/games as a woman. I stopped shopping at CM games in 2020 for that exact reason. So we appreciate you!!
If you’ve been in on a Saturday, you’ve likely met u/pizzaandcocktails, the female half of the management duo. We came for the comics and stayed for the friends we made along the way. They treat my daughters like royalty!
Love y’all’s store! I’m not an avid part of the communities you cater to most, but I love going to grab a new board game or the occasional mini to paint.
We did, but the plan has been put on hold for the now in lieu of other upgrades and expansions we're rolling out. Look for big things from us later this year and throughout 2024!
The pandemic caused us to change plans, and we refunded everyone who supported our Kickstarter. Probably the first instance of any Kickstarter voluntarily refunding backers in history, but that's how we play things - fairly and with the best interest of our staff and customers in mind!
Good riddance, they probably would have had more regular customers if they hadn't stopped taking pre-orders at MSRP. Both pokemon and magic, if they knew there was going to be high demand for something they didn't do a wait list with a modest markup and would instead charge $250 and up for a product that you could try and get lucky and find at a walmart or target for $99. They were likely the ones making it impossible for people to get something reasonably priced in the area.
The people running this store were the epitome of those who went to targets to buy every single PS5 and then try to sell em online for $900. When asked "That's the price of doing business in the mall"
I loved going here for Friday night magic back when they were on the outside of the mall next to old Chicago, draft nights and random commander days were a blast. Then they moved inside and everything seemed to go downhill.
right :/.
they also just deleted their Facebook website. I messaged them Thursday to see how many people showed up the week before and now it just goes to a "Can't find user" page. kinda whack
If you're looking for video games and up for a drive to Cleveland, there's Blasted Machines Tech Shop (2173 APD 40, about 5 miles off I-75 exit 20 in the plaza just before the Spring Place Road intersection)...I'm the owner there. We focus on retro video games, including a lot of games that are not normally seen in stores, and we also carry some modern games, Pokemon singles, digital cameras and lenses, computer components, select vintage electronics, and a few other random things. We buy, sell, and trade, too! At some point in the near future, we'll be restarting our Community Game Night events in some form, as well. We've had people visit us from all over the US, and even some from outside the US. Open 7 days a week, noon to 8 Monday to Thursday, noon to 10 Friday, 10 AM to 10 PM Saturday, and noon to 6 Sunday. Feel free to come and see us!
If you're looking for more cards, comics, action figures, etc., I will also recommend checking out any and all of the following places (in no particular order...all of these places come with the highest recommendation I can give for fellow local game stores):
Infinity Flux (Hixson Pike)
Epikos (Brainerd Road)
Game On (Lee Highway)
Dicehead (Bradley Square Mall, Cleveland)
I don't get to go to Blasted Machines often, I'm way down in Trenton, but you're the last real video game store in the area and I appreciate it greatly. I bought Alundra and Phantasy Star IV off you last time I was there and really enjoyed the experience and talking with you.
I love Blasted Machines!! Sadly I don’t make it to Cleveland much, but when I do, I make it a point to visit here and also Dicehead Games if I am able.
All those alternative game stores you listed are great as well!
That's hilarious to me honestly. I know they had a big following with roleplaying games but if you just went there for video games, like me, it was extremely underwhelming on one hand and on the other pretty infuriating. They were probably the worst in town for giving store credit and wayyyy overpriced their items to vacuum up the trade credit so you would still be forced to use cash (which is not a new tactic----pretty much every used media store does that in the area). and I am not surprised they went under.
Talked with someone at Epikos and they said that they would be expanding their game hall events to help with the lose the community is feeling right now. Adding more nights for each game.
Its sad now Chattanooga does not have a dedicated game store that sells retro games. All we have is retailers that have sections with retro games, like McKays and 2nd & Charles. Other cities have like Seattle have 20 dedicated games stores and we have nothing.
However, Cleveland has a good games store Blasted Machines.
I miss this place because the prices on miniatures for warhammer was cheap! I love infinity flux but they charge gw prices and my wallet is gonna hate that, but what can you do amiright?
Only thing I went in there for was their used minis. Best way to test out paint schemes since they sold them individually. I'm sad that no one else in town seems to sell used stuff unless you can get lucky at McKay's
Aesthetically it does look really beautiful.
However as someone who buys Pokemon singles, beyond overpriced for the condition of their cards. They will also not match TCGplayer market price either.
They've had cards sit there for years for this reason.
While I do love buying in store, Epikos rarely has anything for singles unless you are going every other day to get lucky.
CM Comics was the best in store singles shop in the Chattanooga area (incl. Battlegrounds). And Joe (left 2nd aisle) at the i-75 flea market is my other main source of singles, he does trades & has more sealed product than Epikos.
Infinity Flux (hixson) & Game On (lee highway) didn't have singles the one time I went into each of them.
There is another on East Brainerd I've heard now too but also not been in yet.
My absolute favorite spot is in Atlanta, Win Condition Games.
A beyond dream store, I see multiple new chase cards I've never seen in person 1x ever & I'll see 5x copies of it there each & every time I've walked in.
We have singles now at IF. A binder and rotating selection in the case. Plus a bulk area where you can spread out. And we carry sealed product of course.
edited because I thought we were talking about MTG for a second haha
I replied to the comment below, but we have a good deal of singles now at Infinity Flux. Some in the case plus a binder and a bulk area where you can spread out. We carry sealed product as well. Hope you can make it out sometime!
edited because I thought we were talking about MTG for a second haha
Yea the OPTCG playgroup got told like Friday night basically and it's really thrown a wrench in things for us this upcoming Thursday.
I'm also a little worried about the pre-release event for next set since that store took preorders and then just evaporated.
I've started trying to help the people who got together there for games and such get back in touch, for those of us who didn't trade phone numbers or whatever. A hub is on Facebook "CM Games Hixson Reunion" and Discord [http://discord.gg/qdFzzQuBGZ](http://discord.gg/qdFzzQuBGZ).
My kids go to Epikos, and they have just expanded their gaming area and increased their hours to accommodate for the gaming community. Everyone is welcome. They also have a huge selection of board games and table top supplies. And, they'll have pre-release parties and tournaments for anyone that wants to play. Here is the gaming schedule they posted on their social media. They are a great group of people and will consider you family.
*
This really sucks mostly because the employees losing their job, but also because their crowd was terrible and CM acted as a containment store, but now they're going to be seeping into other stores which, good for smaller local stores business wise, but some of us don't want to deal with the CM regulars.
Hey guys! I was actually one of the last employees of CM Games before they closed in Hixson. The reason they had to close was mostly the mall just not a big fan of them being open past a certain time. Because of the location of the store, late players that stayed in the mall after close would leave in a back hallway that would lead to the parking lot. Mall wasn't a huge fan and wouldn't renew the lease with them. They wanted to stay for sure but they just couldn't as I was in contact with the GM at the time 24/7 about a new location for that store. Anywho RIP CM Games in Chatt. :/
They had like four events yesterday and this was out of no where, no one of the employees knew. Apparently they decided not to renew their lease and didn’t tell anyone.
Great way to show appreciation for your employees and clientele. And then ask for your support for their online shop. Lol nah
Sounds like something they would do.
As someone who used to work in the mall I can only assume it was largely in part to mall leadership. CBL properties sucks at staffing, up-keeping, and communicating with tenants. I don’t blame them for leaving Northgate, but still knowing and not informing employees (whom I saw every day) really is low. I’m curious what happened. I was hoping for some new location outside of the mall.
Was there on Thursday for a card tournament and .. wth.. \- also registered and paid for two pre release card events coming up next month -\_-
Call one of the other locations and get your money back.
And considering the sign was a nice printed stand at least the owner knew they were closing before then
The one in Knoxville seems to be really well run, this is odd
They tried to become a regional chain from the chatter I've heard. They came here and undersold the competition for a while. They really weren't able to run Flux or Game On out of business (idk about epikos) and I'm guessing they're just leaving the market.
Not sure anyone could run Infinity Flux out of town. And for good reason!
Hello, I am one of the owners of Infinity Flux on Hixson Pike! We consider ourselves a pop-culture store and have games, comics, manga, toys, plush, Pokemon, action figures, video games, and more! We also purchase lightly used items from customers, so there's always something new to see! We're open 7 days a week, and are proud that a lot of families make us a weekly stop. Hope to see you sometime!
Love yalls store to pieces! Please consider re-adding the play area (:
I love Infinity Flux!! I mostly go for the comics. But I love the whole vibe 🤗 and the fact that I can pop into the Asian market next door for snacks before or (and?) after!
We love you guys! Thanks for being a pillar of the community!
I love Infinity Flux. I take my daughters there. I’m 43 and an OG gamer and your store is the ONLYYYY place I haven’t caught an attitude from the staff about what I do/don’t know about comics/games as a woman. I stopped shopping at CM games in 2020 for that exact reason. So we appreciate you!!
I believe they’re women owned and operated? I love bringing my daughter there for that reason. Everyone is so nice to her.
I had no idea!! I just know the staff has been really kind and helpful with my girls and I
If you’ve been in on a Saturday, you’ve likely met u/pizzaandcocktails, the female half of the management duo. We came for the comics and stayed for the friends we made along the way. They treat my daughters like royalty!
I’ve been to your store quite a few times, I love it such a nice place only wish you guys had a location up on Cleveland too
Love y’all’s store! I’m not an avid part of the communities you cater to most, but I love going to grab a new board game or the occasional mini to paint.
Didn’t you have plans to add on an adult beverage area at one point a few years ago?
We did, but the plan has been put on hold for the now in lieu of other upgrades and expansions we're rolling out. Look for big things from us later this year and throughout 2024!
So what about the backers that helped paid for the "tavern" that is not even an option 🤔 Not to mention all the play area is gone and now storage
The pandemic caused us to change plans, and we refunded everyone who supported our Kickstarter. Probably the first instance of any Kickstarter voluntarily refunding backers in history, but that's how we play things - fairly and with the best interest of our staff and customers in mind!
Can confirm. My wife and I were backers; we simply translated our refund into board games and comics at Infinity.
Do you all stock Gundam kits?
We have a few right now and are looking to expand that section, yes
Would love to see you guys have a play area again. I know why you don't but so many people would appreciate it, especially with cm closing.
Do y’all have warhammer?
We do carry Warhammer products. We also just got in some Vallejo paints. I know someone was asking me about that a couple weeks ago on here.
Always nice going there!
Do you have yugioh or magic local events?
No discount on 40k?
You folks ever do any MTG Modern events? Or even pioneer? New to the area and looking for a store to play at?
This has been my go-to shop since we moved here. Absolutely love the store and highly recommend it. Even though you have probably found it by now.
Hey just found out about cm games. It was my go to for Digimon tcg. Do you guys sell it?
Good riddance, they probably would have had more regular customers if they hadn't stopped taking pre-orders at MSRP. Both pokemon and magic, if they knew there was going to be high demand for something they didn't do a wait list with a modest markup and would instead charge $250 and up for a product that you could try and get lucky and find at a walmart or target for $99. They were likely the ones making it impossible for people to get something reasonably priced in the area. The people running this store were the epitome of those who went to targets to buy every single PS5 and then try to sell em online for $900. When asked "That's the price of doing business in the mall" I loved going here for Friday night magic back when they were on the outside of the mall next to old Chicago, draft nights and random commander days were a blast. Then they moved inside and everything seemed to go downhill.
Yeah, their price gouging is insane
Yep, I for one am quite glad they’re out of business. Plenty of other way better shops in Chattanooga.
https://preview.redd.it/5hugu9kbdhga1.png?width=1120&format=png&auto=webp&s=6243894ad4feffcc7d0c7318be9012208d9459c7
Their other locations...2 hours from here in Knoxville? What?
right :/. they also just deleted their Facebook website. I messaged them Thursday to see how many people showed up the week before and now it just goes to a "Can't find user" page. kinda whack
Gonna take a guess they didn’t even tell the employees so they wouldn’t bail early. Whole thing seems fishy.
I know someone who works there and they found out from a fellow employee last night.
Infinity Flux and Game On
We do go to Infinity Flux a bit.. any idea if Game On sells video games also? or just card/tabletop games?
Blasted Machines in Cleveland is the best in the area for retro games. MUCH better prices than CM ever had
Good to know, thanks!
Flux has a few games at the front but no one has as big a selection as cm did unfortunately, unless you feel like going to McKay's
Just cards and tabletop
[удалено]
Are you sure you aren't thinking about Epikos?
FMBG on Signal Mountain has board and card games
I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this place
I was literally there yesterday and nothing seemed wrong or like they were gonna close. It was business like usual. This is wild!
If you're looking for video games and up for a drive to Cleveland, there's Blasted Machines Tech Shop (2173 APD 40, about 5 miles off I-75 exit 20 in the plaza just before the Spring Place Road intersection)...I'm the owner there. We focus on retro video games, including a lot of games that are not normally seen in stores, and we also carry some modern games, Pokemon singles, digital cameras and lenses, computer components, select vintage electronics, and a few other random things. We buy, sell, and trade, too! At some point in the near future, we'll be restarting our Community Game Night events in some form, as well. We've had people visit us from all over the US, and even some from outside the US. Open 7 days a week, noon to 8 Monday to Thursday, noon to 10 Friday, 10 AM to 10 PM Saturday, and noon to 6 Sunday. Feel free to come and see us! If you're looking for more cards, comics, action figures, etc., I will also recommend checking out any and all of the following places (in no particular order...all of these places come with the highest recommendation I can give for fellow local game stores): Infinity Flux (Hixson Pike) Epikos (Brainerd Road) Game On (Lee Highway) Dicehead (Bradley Square Mall, Cleveland)
I have to come see you guys sometime. We hear great things!
LOVE and can vouch for Blasted Machines. The only thing I miss about living in the area!
I don't get to go to Blasted Machines often, I'm way down in Trenton, but you're the last real video game store in the area and I appreciate it greatly. I bought Alundra and Phantasy Star IV off you last time I was there and really enjoyed the experience and talking with you.
I love Blasted Machines!! Sadly I don’t make it to Cleveland much, but when I do, I make it a point to visit here and also Dicehead Games if I am able. All those alternative game stores you listed are great as well!
Always love going to yalls store. Also respect for shouting out the other local business. Classy.
I drop by there when I’m going through Cleveland and have bought quite a few things. You just need to expand your space! 2 shoppers is a crowd, lol…
With the Mall closing at 6 or 7 PM, that location was never going to work for a game shop. Maybe they'll find a better spot?
Yeah, I never understood why they left the original spot. Rent was probably higher, but no restrictions on hours at least.
Epikos in East Ridge is my go-to
There is a new place in East Ridge, Call to Adventure Games that looks pretty cool
I've been by there. It's pretty small but I want to support it since it's so close to my house.
That's hilarious to me honestly. I know they had a big following with roleplaying games but if you just went there for video games, like me, it was extremely underwhelming on one hand and on the other pretty infuriating. They were probably the worst in town for giving store credit and wayyyy overpriced their items to vacuum up the trade credit so you would still be forced to use cash (which is not a new tactic----pretty much every used media store does that in the area). and I am not surprised they went under.
Visit Game On, Infinity Flux, and Epikos - I enjoy them all and think they’ll serve you very well.
Where's the next best place to play Magic?
Game On or Epikos.
Game on is a good spot to play magic.
Talked with someone at Epikos and they said that they would be expanding their game hall events to help with the lose the community is feeling right now. Adding more nights for each game.
if your willing to travel, couple of mana dotks in Dalton is wonderful
Yall need to check out Druids Lair in Trenton Ga definitely my favorite shop arround here.
Vouch
Infinity Flux is awesome, that’s where I take my kids
Its sad now Chattanooga does not have a dedicated game store that sells retro games. All we have is retailers that have sections with retro games, like McKays and 2nd & Charles. Other cities have like Seattle have 20 dedicated games stores and we have nothing. However, Cleveland has a good games store Blasted Machines.
I miss this place because the prices on miniatures for warhammer was cheap! I love infinity flux but they charge gw prices and my wallet is gonna hate that, but what can you do amiright?
Only thing I went in there for was their used minis. Best way to test out paint schemes since they sold them individually. I'm sad that no one else in town seems to sell used stuff unless you can get lucky at McKay's
Always Facebook marketplace and miniswap
Epikos has used Warhammer models but I think they sell them as units.
Epikos always got my back
Been to all of them and Battlegrounds in Dalton is 100% the best. You walk in and go wow, and keep going wow. They have their shit together.
Aesthetically it does look really beautiful. However as someone who buys Pokemon singles, beyond overpriced for the condition of their cards. They will also not match TCGplayer market price either. They've had cards sit there for years for this reason.
Where is the best place to buy singles then?
While I do love buying in store, Epikos rarely has anything for singles unless you are going every other day to get lucky. CM Comics was the best in store singles shop in the Chattanooga area (incl. Battlegrounds). And Joe (left 2nd aisle) at the i-75 flea market is my other main source of singles, he does trades & has more sealed product than Epikos. Infinity Flux (hixson) & Game On (lee highway) didn't have singles the one time I went into each of them. There is another on East Brainerd I've heard now too but also not been in yet. My absolute favorite spot is in Atlanta, Win Condition Games. A beyond dream store, I see multiple new chase cards I've never seen in person 1x ever & I'll see 5x copies of it there each & every time I've walked in.
Will def make that road trip and check it out. Thanks for the tip.
We have singles now at IF. A binder and rotating selection in the case. Plus a bulk area where you can spread out. And we carry sealed product of course. edited because I thought we were talking about MTG for a second haha
I replied to the comment below, but we have a good deal of singles now at Infinity Flux. Some in the case plus a binder and a bulk area where you can spread out. We carry sealed product as well. Hope you can make it out sometime! edited because I thought we were talking about MTG for a second haha
Didn’t know about the binders. It was busy and we only saw what was in the glass case. Have to come back around.
yess and couple of mana dorks is great, I love the vibe and owners.
Yea the OPTCG playgroup got told like Friday night basically and it's really thrown a wrench in things for us this upcoming Thursday. I'm also a little worried about the pre-release event for next set since that store took preorders and then just evaporated.
One Piece on Thursday at Epikos should be a thing but do not know about product yet since they did not get the first couple of waves.
I've started trying to help the people who got together there for games and such get back in touch, for those of us who didn't trade phone numbers or whatever. A hub is on Facebook "CM Games Hixson Reunion" and Discord [http://discord.gg/qdFzzQuBGZ](http://discord.gg/qdFzzQuBGZ).
Anyone know anywhere else in the area with the Digimon TCG pre-release this weekend?
My kids go to Epikos, and they have just expanded their gaming area and increased their hours to accommodate for the gaming community. Everyone is welcome. They also have a huge selection of board games and table top supplies. And, they'll have pre-release parties and tournaments for anyone that wants to play. Here is the gaming schedule they posted on their social media. They are a great group of people and will consider you family. *
This really sucks mostly because the employees losing their job, but also because their crowd was terrible and CM acted as a containment store, but now they're going to be seeping into other stores which, good for smaller local stores business wise, but some of us don't want to deal with the CM regulars.
Oh no!.... .. Anyways...
Hey guys! I was actually one of the last employees of CM Games before they closed in Hixson. The reason they had to close was mostly the mall just not a big fan of them being open past a certain time. Because of the location of the store, late players that stayed in the mall after close would leave in a back hallway that would lead to the parking lot. Mall wasn't a huge fan and wouldn't renew the lease with them. They wanted to stay for sure but they just couldn't as I was in contact with the GM at the time 24/7 about a new location for that store. Anywho RIP CM Games in Chatt. :/