For five years I owned and ran a game store. Not electronic games… tabletop games… the kind where you have to look at each other and talk. My store was a safe space to hundreds of kids and adults. No one was judged or made fun of. Everyone could be themselves. Several kids (and adults) had the courage to come out to me before they told their families. I congratulated their bravery and used whatever names or pronouns they preferred. In my store, they were family and they were safe. I had customers and employees who were on the spectrum. I created a community where these kids (and adults) could gather and talk about anything while playing games. We (my husband and I) were invited to life events from weddings to baby showers to funerals. I became mom and sister to hundreds of beautiful people.
Sadly, my husband’s health forced us to made the difficult decision to close. Our first day open was January 10, 2018 and our last was July 26, 2023. I will never forget all the beautiful people I met or the impact I made on the community.
Peace starts with little steps. Inclusion. Acceptance. Love.
Amy N Kaplan 