SHOP SPOTLIGHT

Ninja Mitton is a gaming café in the heart of Skegness. We chatted with Pete about how the store sits within the community.

Can you tell us a little bit about how the store first got started?

I’m a lifelong gamer that always wanted a career within gaming, and whilst originally that was probably games testing, I got distracted and never took the career path I needed to get. Instead, I gained years of experience in Customer Service and Retail Management. I’m still a big kid at heart, and that passion for gaming, plus a little life experience formed into plans to open my own gaming store.

Why is it called Ninja Mitton?

When I thought of the friendly, welcoming atmosphere that I wanted to create, my first thought was of my first main gaming group. One would say the word ‘Mitton’ all the time, which is a made up word for Kitten/Cat, and which we would all then use. For me, that silly made up word signified a connection that only a few people got. After lots of brainstorming my love of both Pirates and Ninjas eventually lead to Ninja Mitton, and the rest is history.

What’s it like being a FLGS in your area?

Pretty awesome. We’re based in Skegness which has had a few gaming places but never a Gaming Cafe. The next FLGS is at least 20 miles away. We’re right on the coast, and you’re either coming here or nowhere nearby. The opportunity to get to introduce something new to the area is fantastic, and for many people, it’s the first Gaming Cafe they have ever been too. It’s especially rewarding when someone visits for their first time and leaves with a massive smile.

What do you think makes your store unique?

The fact that the gaming community recognises there are FLGS’ (Friendly Local Games Stores) and LGS’ (Local Games Stores) means at some point enough of us have encountered some form of negativity to warrant highlighting if a place is friendly or not. That really shouldn’t be a thing that exists, but it does. So, we make a point of breaking that stereotype, by just being genuine and helpful if we can be.

What events do you run for the local gaming scene?

We have hosted weekly Club Nights where we demo games, give prizes away, have different groups playing RPGs, and we’re a WPN store – so we host weekly Friday Night Magic events, plus we’re registered to run official tournaments for Digimon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Dragonball Super, and all the TCGs really. We have a wide selection of exclusives that we give away as much as possible to keep gaming exciting and varied for all. As restrictions drop, we will be able to do much more, including video game tournaments, charity events, and we have plans for our little Comic Con style event too amongst other things.

What’s been your favourite part of running a FLGS?

It has to be the community. People really make a FLGS, and the generosity and kind hearted nature of people really comes out in the right environment. I am incredibly proud to say we have a fantastic community, and honestly...Ninja Mitton wouldn’t be what it is without the selection of strangers that have become friends.

How has it been through COVID-19?

There’s definitely a little more grey in the beard. However, those ups and downs make still being here, especially considering what some people have and are experiencing, extremely rewarding.

What’re your top three party games?

Throw Throw Burrito by Exploding Kittens, The Chameleon by Big Potato Games (with an amazing box design) and a new addition, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza by Blue Orange, which I haven’t had a chance to play with a group yet, but I can see it being a lot of fun. WHERE CAN I FIND IT?

Ninja Mitton Games,

32-36 Lincoln Rd, Skegness, PE25 2RZ www.ninjamitton.co.uk/ www.facebook.com/ninjamitton/