Backstage Hobbies & Games Manistee

Great store picked up blokees venom for there. They should get other blokees model kits like Nightwing.

Owner is a very nice guy. I brought the kids with me on a Saturday for one of their trade and plays that they offer every other Saturday. He was great with the kids and offered a great environment for us to hang out for a few hours and play pokemon!

Such a nice store! We will definitely be visiting when we are in town. The shop owner is very kind, and the shop has a great stock. We’re looking forward to coming back to buy some board games and legos. It looks like they have great community events as well. Best of all, they have the sweetest dog! Wonderful shop. Wish we lived closer!

Backstage is the best game store for board games, card games, D&D, and all your various Nerd Merch! The owner is extremely informed on his merchandise and is very friendly and accommodating of any questions you might have. He values people with a genuine interest in playing the games and beginning new hobbies. One of the first games we ever bought from his store was Western Legends, 6 years ago now, and it's been brought out for many game nights time and time again, along with the serval other games we've bought from him. They host many events surrounding the gaming communities, such as for Pokemon or Magic the Gathering, and are very supportive of hosting D&D campaigns right in the store as well. I highly Recommend this store, especially because they're a local business with great commitment and involvement in the community. Much better to support local businesses!

I am disappointed to give this store a one-star review, as it used to be one of my favorites. I supported this business regularly, but an incident involving my brother has led me to stop going there. My brother—who has disabilities—was banned from the premises after attempting to split the cost of a booster box with someone else from TCG. The owner apparently considered this to be in conflict with the store’s sales, and ultimately banned him. My brother did not fully understand the owner’s approach when the owner tried to speak with him, and he was upset and confused by the result. He later learned from a third party that the ban was because he was “competing” with the store’s sales. I have seen other customers make transactions involving trading cards or buy/sell arrangements without being banned, so this response feels inconsistent. My brother merely mentioned going halves on a booster box instead of paying the store’s markup; he did not intend to cause trouble. Like any other store you see it somewhere cheaper you go buy it for the cheapest price. While the store can take steps to protect its business, I do not consider its actions to be family-friendly or fair in this case. Previously, my family spent a lot of money there because we wanted the store to succeed even when the markups were bad. Since the incident and the pandemic, we have stayed away in the hope that the ban would be reconsidered. I understand consequences may be necessary for some actions. However, I only want to state the truth about how this situation was handled. When I attempted to discuss the matter with the owners on Discord and asked for a simple explanation, I felt dismissed and nearly banned myself. Although they own the business or rent the space, they are still dealing with human beings, and respectful communication should be possible. I did not disrespect them, but I do not believe that aggressive or threatening behavior is appropriate. I regret having to post this, but it is upsetting that one person’s decision can take so much enjoyment away from a family that made a mistake. The other mistake the owner may bring is because of the unjust banning of my brother, my brother reached out to people because of this and politely asked since he was banned if they wouldn’t support the store because the actions of owner of targeting him and the only reasons the owner would know, I have a few in mind because me and my brother would win all the time? We would have top tier decks? Another issue I have with this store is “first place” should be able to pick their prize right? Well during war of the spark they were opening support packs and a JPN non foil liana was opened me being in first I was denied to get it and it went to someone that sold it to the store and I had to pay for it, it was a activity card I was playing in my decks so a cool looking art would of been great but it seem like another time the owners would target my family. Sorry I have been holding this back from the public but I was hoping one day my family could have gone to this store again and enjoy it but that seems like that will be the past. I enjoyed the memories I made with people there but it isn’t the same when your family feels targeted and then banned. I would love to play magic at backstage but it isn’t right if I can go and my brother can’t. I’m not trying to start an argument with this business and hopefully they don’t take offense to the truth.