Trevor England likes bringing people together. As a formally trained chef, he says it was always his ambition to open his own restaurant, fuelling his passion for community and creativity through food-centered experiences. But, early on in England's young career, it became apparent that the hospitality industry wasn't as fulfilling as he'd hoped, so he switched gears entirely and, in November, opened the Mandalorian Emporium in the Chieftain Centre Mall downtown.
The specialty shop, named for the fictitious planet Mandalore from the Star Wars franchise, sells board games, miniatures, collectable card games, paints and models meant to be played with, and regularly features games nights open to the public and tournaments for more experienced players.
"The goal of owning a restaurant one day wasn't fitting with what I was experiencing," said England, pointing at poor potential profit margins, excessively long hours, and job stress as factors that influenced his decision. "I'll always love cooking and being creative, but now I've been able to take my skills and education in hospitality management and food sales, and do something that makes sense for me. Something that I love.
"Plus my products don't expire like food, it felt like a safer investment," he said, with a laugh.
The store has a couple of glass showcases and two walls laden predominantly with character-driven board games like Star Wars X-Wing and Dungeons & Dragons; and collectible card games such as Magic and Pokémon. They also retail long-time favourites like Monopoly, Cranium, and Catan and newer hot-sellers such as Ticket To Ride.
For England, the opportunity to create community was a driving factor.
"There was nothing here like it. I knew there were people here in Squamish and Whistler and Pemberton who were playing. Not everybody mountain bikes, snowboards or wants to go drink when the sun goes down. I'm trying to present a different activity for people in the corridor to do."
England said he endeavours to build a culture through gaming that spans other already established communities.
"Games are a productive thing for Squamish as a whole," he said. "It brings us together: mountain bikers, snowboarders or skiers, rock climbers, they all have members in their respective communities that play these games as well — or can play these games – so we are really bringing individuals, from a variety of backgrounds, together to network and build relationships where otherwise they may not find themselves in a shared community experience without games like D&D."
There's an inherent element of education and learning too.
"With a board game you are using your mind far more than just playing a video game," said England, a self-professed fan of role-playing video games. "You're trying to solve puzzles, do the math, figure out if someone is lying or not; it's life skills, really. You learn how to interact with each other, and that interaction stimulates the brain, helps people to grow up and find themselves. Playing D&D, for example, is a great way to find yourself."
The clientele is as varied as the games they offer, and serious players come from all walks of life. At a games night that may include one adult male who Skypes into a game from Surrey to a nine-year-old local girl who can impressively hold her, said England.
The shop currently does not have a website but store hours and more information about upcoming events such as Star Wars – and potentially Harry Potter – trivia nights can be found on the shop's Facebook page.
