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Roll playing game lovers have found new home in Monmouth

‘My Mom’s Basement’ lures RPG enthusiasts

Michael Haynes has opened “My Mom’s Basement,” a hobby shop with roll playing games, board games and comic books in downtown Monmouth.

Photos by Adam Korst

Michael Haynes has opened “My Mom’s Basement,” a hobby shop with roll playing games, board games and comic books in downtown Monmouth.

Craig Coleman

February 03, 2010

MONMOUTH -- When Michael Haynes decided to open his board game store in Monmouth, he figured he should embrace the geek stereotype and save snickering passers-bys the trouble -- by calling it "My Mom's Basement."

"Everybody knows that all the guys who play these games (think Dungeons & Dragons) are sitting in their parents' basement," Haynes said, laughing. "So it's the perfect name."

If you know the difference between a troll and a giant, own a 12-sided die, and donned a "The Lord of the Rings" costume on Halloween, you'll probably feel right at home at Haynes' hobby shop.

The store sells miniatures, books and other accessories related to tabletop role-playing games (RPGs), collectible card games, and comic book subscriptions. It's also a venue for customers to drop in and play their favorite games with fellow enthusiasts.

Marcus Axford of Monmouth said he's been stopping by after work regularly since learning about the shop.

"Monmouth has been needing a place like this," Axford said as he and friend Kyle Rogers played Yu-Gi-Oh!, a card game. "There's not really any place for kids to just go out and be themselves."

An Oregon native, Haynes had been living in Florida for several years, working retail jobs. In 2008, he returned to the Northwest and to Monmouth, where his parents reside and work.

"I don't live in my parent's basement," he assured.

Haynes, 40, said he started playing RPGsat age 10 and, more or less, never stopped. Owning his store was something "I've always talked to friends about."

Last year, Haynes inherited some merchandise from a friend and enrolled in Chemeketa Community College's microenterprise program (MERIT) to develop a business plan. He also discovered the storefront he now occupies for lease on Main Street.

There are similar game stores in Salem and Corvallis, but Polk County was wide open, Haynes said.

"The reason I have it placed here is it's directly next to Western Oregon University," Haynes said. "I have mostly college students coming in ... they've become regulars."

Haynes said he knows these days RPGs are synonymous with video games such as "World of Warcraft." But there's still a place for board games, he said.

"They've been very steady in their sales and retained a lot of interest," he said. "And you get to play with other people ... you have a really good time just sitting around, socializing and playing."

BREAKOUT BOX

Wanna Play?

What: My Mom's Basement.

Where: 303 Main St., Monmouth.

Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays are open game days.

For more information: 503-837-0945.