SPALDING WARGAMING CLUB
Strange Apparitions is a local comics, graphic novels and geek culture merchandise store that set up in Spalding nearly a year ago. The shop was based out of a cosy corner in the Spalding Lifestyle And Garden centre (a building rejoicing in the acronym S.L.A.G.). It was nice enough there, but a bit off the beaten track. Along with fellow traders Uptown Vinyl Records, Strange Apparitions have just relocated to the Baytree Garden Centre and held their re-opening today. A bit of context for the out-of-towners: Baytree is is local institution. It started off as a roadside stall in 1970 when Reinhard Biehler and his British wife Yvonne went in to business together. Now it's a 16 acre site that hosts a massive garden centre, cafes, children's entertainment, an owl sanctuary and various small traders selling antiques, witchy art and, latterly, comics and records. So this is a great gig for Strange Apparitions, who now offer a sort of comics-creche for lost souls whose partners are off selecting dahlias and compost. Wanting to show solidarity with a local retailer like this, I popped along to the re-opening celebrations along with Spalding Wargames Club vice-chairman Craig Jackson. Then, you know, lunch in the sunshine with our Other Halves. It took me a while to track down the retail space itself - it's right at the back of the site, to the left of the (excellent) restaurant. It's a good space: nicely carpeted, bright and airy, without the vague presentiment of being within four feet of a rat that you felt back at the SLAG Centre. This is a sweet place to browse! I stole a few moments of shop owner Alex's time. He's delighted with the move and the new premises - as well he should be. He's built a loyal consumer base and promotes the store today with Deadpool and Ghostbusters cosplayers. I'm only a minor comics fan, but I rarely found myself out at the SLAG Centre (love that name) unless I was visiting the adjacent hospital - but I'm often over at Baytree and frequently killing time while my Beautiful Gardener inspects the roses. I doubt I'm alone in these regards, so Alex will get a lot more impulsive purchases from people like me. Like that lovely hardbound edition of Planet Hulk... Alex stocks a few board games as well: I caught sight of some expansions for Dark Souls: The Card Game and Resident Evil. If Keyforge decks turn up, he'll clean me out. Hopefully, SWC and Strange Apparitions can promote each other. The move was only possible with the support of Uptown Vinyl Records, who cover an even larger space. It seems only right, as the father of a vinyl-consuming daughter, to share some images of their busy trading space too. We wish both stores the best of luck and promise to be back soon with bulging wallets. You can follow them on Facebook by clicking on the links below:
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April 2019
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