FAIRHOPE, Alabama— For a certain group of Eastern Shore residents a single business serves as the cornerstone of the community. They spend many hours each week playing and learning games, purchasing the latest new inventory and hanging out with friends. For many of these people, Mini War Game isn’t just a store: it’s a home away from home.

Mini War Game officially opened in May 2012, but the idea has been around a lot longer than that. Owners Jon and Stephanie Mansmann grew up in Fairhope and graduated from Fairhope High School. After graduating from college they returned to the city in 2002 after their son was born.

“The inspiration to open Mini War Game was simple: we have always enjoyed gaming with our friends,” Stephanie said. “Even in high school Jon and I would get together with our friends and play Dungeons and Dragons or Rifts. Over the years it has continued to be our preferred method of meeting new people and making great friends.”

After returning to Fairhope, Jon resumed playing with his friends and formed a gaming club of sorts. The group would host small events at Jon’s office, in their own home and at Riviera Cinema in Foley before it shut down. The full-scale shop opened up about a year ago on Section Street and in October 2012 moved to its current location on Fairhope Avenue.

“We have had a good reception from the community,” Jon said. “We are continually growing. It’s just been fantastic to watch it grow.”

Long-time customer Chris McLeod said what started as a weekly meeting to play a game of Warhammer, or to have a daring adventure in Dungeons and Dragons, has turned into spending as much time at the shop during the week as he can.

“I met Jon about six years ago I believe,” McLeod said. “I went to tournaments when he used to organize them at the theater in Foley. At that point the shop was just a few racks in his office. I started hanging out at the shop during that time and have watched as the shop has expanded twice over now to its present location.”

The heart of the business lies in the people and community that support it, and that’s also what makes it unique.

While it is the only store on the Eastern Shore that is exclusively tailored to games of this nature, the community aspect of the store is what makes it special. Where else can you walk into a store and buy a game then look around the store and say, “OK, who wants to play now?”

You can go in, buy a game and immediately unpackage it and sit down to play with a group of friends or even strangers. Many of the games available to purchase can also be tried out before you buy.

“We have gamers of all ages, races and backgrounds,” Stephanie said. “I love how they all come together as equals and just have a great time together.  This is the heart of Mini War Game and what makes it so special.  Our gamers are a diverse group and one big family at the same time.  We celebrate our birthdays together, have a party for every holiday, share each other’s grief over break ups and lost loved ones and enjoy dinner together every Friday night.  We aren't just a store.”

The selection of games available for purchase at Mini War Game is wide and varied, from board games to collectible card games, miniature, role-playing and tiled games. There is something for just about everyone. The store is both family- and adult-friendly with a wide variety of ages among the gamers.

“Mini War Game is a place for friends and family to come together and play some truly awesome tabletop, card, and miniature games,” said Ted Ray, a Mini War Game regular. “The atmosphere is fun and relaxed, and creates an environment for people to create some memorable experiences and strong friendships. Mini War Game is a gem among game stores.”

Editor’s Note: The Eastern Shore is full of one-of-a-kind shops and eateries. They are a part of what makes this area so special. This is the first in a series of articles that will explore the fascinating and unique businesses of the Eastern Shore.