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This news has now formally been announced to the public as of today at the Baltimore Battle Bunker, so I thought I'd share it for the sake of others in the community who've enjoyed the store and will miss it too. The store will be closing at the end of business on September 19. A new store location has not yet been determined though staff are stating that a search for a new site is continuing and will hopefully be announced within about six months or so. Note that the current store staff has not been moved to other jobs within the company. If there's anyone on staff you wish to see again you might want to stop by the store soon to give them your regards. If you have models on display at the store you should pick them up as soon as possible before the closure date.

I can't say how much this saddens me. I have had many wonderful times at the Battle Bunker HQ and made many wonderful friends in recent years. We joined the community there a few years ago and did our best to help it grow. We have spent thousands of hours there because it has just been so much fun. Through many changes, good and bad, we've continued to frequent the store. Maryland has now lost its HQ, its Battle Bunker and its perpetual annual Games Day event all in this one summer. GW's focus seems to be shifting away from the Maryland area and in some ways away from North America in general. These are dark uncertain times for what may be the oldest and certainly one of the largest GW hobby communities in all of North America. I certainly hope we do get another Battle Bunker for the D.C./Baltimore area soon. In the meantime, losing the current Battle Bunker is a huge blow to our local gaming and hobby community that is already sharply felt.

This has been known for almost a year. To be honest there has been little interest for me to even go to the Bunker. They stopped stocking FW, you could not buy any of the direct online models, and to me honest the current manager is pushy and I just don't like buying from him. He was like that in the Arundil Mills store. I liked the old manger much better.

It also seems like they stopped running tournaments and any events worth going to.

The only thing it had going for it was the number of tables that actually had terrain.

They just had a tourney two weeks ago for Fantasy and 40k. I do agree with the removal of Forgeworld stuff it's just a GW with more tables so it's really not worth the effort of driving to unless you live close by although that service is supposed to be returning.

I heard it was moving to Laurel, MD which would be good for Northern Virginia people since it's closer to that area.

They were the closest GW store for me... and I enjoyed going in there when I had the chance. I always spent a couple hundred bucks on FW items when I visited and I had planned to make a run for some gaming on their tables the end of September. I guess this isn't going to happen now.

Wow, I didn't realize they were going to close well before opening a new site? I was envisioning a seemless transition, but in hindsight I realize that would be hard to pull off... sorry to hear the news finally! Although I am hopeful for the new location, it seems like a MUCH better location for this area overall, since it can also service DC.

That, and it's closer to me (or at least the same distance as Glen Burnie, since I'm in Columbia) so that doesn't hurt, either

Also didn't realize the employees would be out of a job, are you sure about that?

This has been known for almost a year.

No it has not. The HQ move has been known for a year. The plan up until now was to move the Battle Bunker without closing it and that has been what the store management has been telling customers for months up until this week. The change to outright closing the Battle Bunker for an undetermined period of time is a new and for many of us, unwelcome development.

and to me honest the current manager is pushy and I just don't like buying from him. He was like that in the Arundil Mills store.

Wow, that statement is really out of date. The "current" manager as that statement puts it has been gone for months and is not the current manager. The "old" manager as that statement puts it has been back as the Bunker store manager since the other person moved to managing the recently reopened Memphis Bunker months ago.

Also didn't realize the employees would be out of a job, are you sure about that?

Quite sure.

Right, the closing for a period was unexpected- from talking to the employees, I was under the impression that those who could were planning to move with it, but obviously if it's going to be closed for months, that just won't work. Hopefully they can place them at some other GW stores! I really like some of those guys.

Kind mixed feelings here. I had my first ever real game of 40k there, as well as my first mega battle (lots of the pictures of my Sisters around are from that day). On the other hand, going there and not being able to get FW stuff or even some less common (but not direct only!) kits was really rather off putting. Not like I am inclined to commute ~2.5 hours to get there generally... however, if they happened to have a big sale to get rid of stock or tables & terrain, I would make the trip

Hopefully the staff get new jobs pretty soon, or at least some sort of carry over position.

Sounds like the scene when they closed my formerly local GW. When they shut it down, there was no plan for a new store in the area, and no offers of moving the staff to another store. Just a big ole you to their staff and customers. Sorry, I mean "followers!"

This isn't good news. I come to the bunker once a month with friends mainly. We carpool for an hour because it's such a nice place to play. Most of the stores don't have enough room for 6-7 of us.

I hope another bunker will open up soon, but the glass is half empty part of me fears it's gone forever.

I can't say I'm suprised.

New location for the bunker = Memphis; right along side the new HQ.

While the loss of the bunker and HQ is sad I'm most disheartened by the loss of Games Day in Baltimore.

Oni, you're misinformed... as of now, they have every intention of opening another Bunker in a location that can service both Baltimore and D.C.

The only reason it was where it was, is because rent was super cheap since they were renting the large office space for the HQ behind it. Now, it doesn't make any sense to stay there.

In Laurel (if they do decide to go there) they should be able to get a much larger space for less rent. They've mentioned that they think they will have up to 3 times the space they currently do.

Unfortunate that it's not going to open soon after the other closing, though... I had hoped there would be little to no down-time.

I've got a friend in Laurel who'll be keeping an eye out for any large spaces that get sold in the next few months.

There's one piece of real estate that makes some really, really good sense though--an old Toys R Us that only opens during the holiday season. The place, incidentally, is for lease.

http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/16282964/933-Washington-Blvd-Laurel-MD/ 39,000 square feet.

What a let down. I live not even 5 minutes from it (just moved here in fact) and had hoped to play there a lot once Dark Eldar came out. Though I've know they were closing for several months now, they've been saying they would move near by. Certainly didn't mention a large gap in when the new store would be opening.

Now the next closest one is in Arundel Mills Mall for me. Or way the hell down in Columbia off Centre Park Drive (though the Chinese place next to it is awesome).

Laurel really isn't that far from the current location. Certainly closer then Arundel Mills. And has to be better since the mall store is like the size of 2 bathroom stalls.

Hey man, Columbia's not bad, it's where I play . Heading there tonight actually! Although, I'm hoping to keep the riffraff out

Arundel Mill just rearranged their tables and there's usually an open one for gaming, too.

Do you go to the Centre Park location? Or is there another shop you game at? The Centre Park Drive shop is at least fairly big as far as GW stores are concerned. Bunker was only other large one that comes to mind.

And no, I love Columbia. I'd have moved there if the same exact house, with none of the amenities this community has, didn't cost 400k with the notorious columbia tax.

BrassScorpion wrote: The change to outright closing the Battle Bunker for an undetermined period of time is a new and for many of us, unwelcome development.

Quite sure.

Nvs wrote:Do you go to the Centre Park location? Or is there another shop you game at? The Centre Park Drive shop is at least fairly big as far as GW stores are concerned. Bunker was only other large one that comes to mind.

Yes, I tend to make it out to the Centre Park store (Columbia) on Tuesdays, when most of the fantasy gamers try to make it out. Lately they've been pretty successfully orienting one night each week towards one of the systems, and I play fantasy

Hopefully we can get them to be able to get another table at some point! Right now it's just at 3, but has room for 4.

As to all the comments about the Bunker not re-opening- again, the ONLY communication the GW staff there have been giving is that it's moving to a location closer to DC. It could be that they've been deceived by upper management, but at least as far as the staff is concerned, that's what they're saying is happening. Anything else is just speculation from people not connected to the situation or having talked to anyone here, because that's not what ANYONE has said, as far as I know.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but them's the facts, jack!

It's unfortunate that it's going to be closed for a period, but that's the extent of it as far as anyone knows- not that they're permanently closing.

oni wrote:I can't say I'm suprised.

New location for the bunker = Memphis; right along side the new HQ.

While the loss of the bunker and HQ is sad I'm most disheartened by the loss of Games Day in Baltimore.

I wonder if elvis played 40k

Anyway i've also heard this from LGS. And they say that is why they are understaff right now. I'm not really sure.

Yeah, this kind of sucks. But everyone that went there regularly saw the writing on the wall.

I've been going to that store before it even had a battle bunker and was just a tiny corner in the building next to it, back in the late 90's. In recent years, I never really had time to go there and get my hobby on or game, but it was my main source of GW product, outside of bitz stores. I feel bad for the folks getting let go and "having an option" of re-applying when the new location is decided upon. Unfortunately, I don't see it being relocated any time soon either, seeing as how GW is in a cost cutting mood as of late. I guess they want to get out of that area completely, as there are quite a few options right down the road from them, in high traffic commercial areas. In that strip mall near the always busy Best Buy right down the road seems like a no brainer to me. Granted, strip malls are an endangered species in this day and age, but they'd without a doubt get a 100 times more foot traffic, just by being visible.

I used to go there because I loved the atmosphere and customer service was always top notch in my personal experiences, guess I can find a brick and mortar shop(any recommendations for the Glen Burnie area?) to take my money to, or just do the online thing and save some money!

Huh... Pity. Good, at least, to finally have a date. But then, I knew from staff at GW that they were closing the Bunker after Games Day. Real shame, though, that it'll be that long until the replacement Bunker opens (knock wood).

From a purely selfish standpoint, however, a location closer to Laurel in the I-95/Rt 1/BW Parkway corridor works better for me since I'd be able to make it over to a location in that area on a lunch break and not have to burn an hour or so of leave...

Sucks about the employees though.

Does look like Maryland's era of being the "center" (should that be centre?) of GW's presence in the States is over though. No HQ. No GD. No Grand Tournies. Shame really. Heck, with Avalon Hill and The Armory gone as well, B-more's day in the spotline for gaming's probably well in the rearview mirror.

Valete,

JohnS

The Bunker moving to Laurel does not service "Baltimore". While it will be more convenient for people in Annapolis, Columbia, Glen Burnie, southern maryland and Virginia, it will be over 90 minutes for those of us in Bel Air, Westminster, Towson, Even White Marsh and Nottingham.

They are essentially catering to the DC/Northern Virginia/Southern MD crowd, which already has alot of great venues and locales to play at, compared to the actual Baltimore area, which has 1 game store ( Games and Stuff) that has a large room.

Basically, it has killed the hobby for me. I usually spend a couple thousand on GW stuff a year, which I will probably ebay. For cheap. Keep a lookout.

The better location would have been to stay in Glen Burnie, or move to Nottingham/White Marsh and merge with the store there. That would keep the store on the 95 highway which makes commuting there easy.

But you know, GW really makes alot of dumb and bad decisions.

I just don't see a reason for them to make a bunker. There is already 11 GW stores (12 including the Bunker) within 50 miles of Columbia.

Having something in Laurel might be okay, but I stopped buying directly from GW about two price hikes ago. I guess the people that are really going to miss it are the ones that seem to spend 8 hours a day there painting/hanging out. I never got into that, I paint at home.

I am surprised the Columbia store is still open. It is is kinda out of the way, but it is better then trying to play in a Mall at Arundil Mills.

My main complaint about the stores is they close way to early. I think the one in Olney is closing around 7PM or something crazy like that.

I am not surprised that the people are being let go. They are in retail sales. GW sees them as expendable and easily replaceable.

I am very glade to hear the short bald guy is gone, I don't like pushy aggressive people especially when I am just browsing. AND NO I DON'T NEED GLUE.

Very sad. Many good times had there over the last decade.

Very sad to hear this. I managed to visit the bunker a week or two back on my way home from visiting my girlfriend in Annapolis, and I had a great time there. Sadly did not have my army, but I got to witness my first Fantasy match between two very accommodating gamers, and had plenty of great discussions with the guys there, both Redshirts and normal guys. Very cool store, and I wish I could have gotten there sometime sooner. Shame to see it go.

I'll miss the bunker a little bit. In my opinion it needed to be closer to DC instead of Baltimore. But thats a DC v. Baltimore thing, I guess.

Does anyone know what is happening to all their terrain and tables?

I honestly can't see them putting it in storage or paying to ship them and I would love to see their terrain and gaming tables sold to the community at reasonable prices for once.

TimW wrote:I'll miss the bunker a little bit. In my opinion it needed to be closer to DC instead of Baltimore. But thats a DC v. Baltimore thing, I guess.

Does anyone know what is happening to all their terrain and tables?

I honestly can't see them putting it in storage or paying to ship them and I would love to see their terrain and gaming tables sold to the community at reasonable prices for once.

The tables will in fact be placed in storage, those things are mad expensive. The terrain and scenery may be sold off, it's hard to say.

General Hobbs wrote:

The Bunker moving to Laurel does not service "Baltimore". While it will be more convenient for people in Annapolis, Columbia, Glen Burnie, southern maryland and Virginia, it will be over 90 minutes for those of us in Bel Air, Westminster, Towson, Even White Marsh and Nottingham.

They are essentially catering to the DC/Northern Virginia/Southern MD crowd, which already has alot of great venues and locales to play at, compared to the actual Baltimore area, which has 1 game store ( Games and Stuff) that has a large room.

Basically, it has killed the hobby for me. I usually spend a couple thousand on GW stuff a year, which I will probably ebay. For cheap. Keep a lookout.

The better location would have been to stay in Glen Burnie, or move to Nottingham/White Marsh and merge with the store there. That would keep the store on the 95 highway which makes commuting there easy.

But you know, GW really makes alot of dumb and bad decisions.

Okay- in your first paragraph you list White Marsh as one of the locations out of range of the new Bunker, and then say there is 1 game store that services the Baltimore area in the second paragraph (Games and Stuff, which is in Glen Burnie) with a large room.

There are two GWs just past the northern edge of Baltimore, one IN whitemarsh, and one in owings mills. If you're north of Baltimore, and were attending the Bunker, and now list Games and Stuff as your closest alternative, you either don't know the area or are intentionally ignoring the stores that are there in order to make a point. Both of those stores have some tables to play at- but of course it's not as large as the Bunker!

I don't mind people being upset that the Bunker is moving. I just hate the hyperbole. We are Inundated with GW stores in this area, which (imho) is awesome. Many people in other areas would kill to have just one store within hours. We have a ring of them around Baltimore! Besides the two I just listed on the north edge, just past the south edge of Baltimore there is one in Arundel Mills and one in Columbia. No matter where you are in Baltimore, you have a store within 30 minutes drive.

I am also saddened that GamesDay is not here next year, the HQ is not here (although that really didn't have much effect on gaming... most people never set foot in the place) and that the Bunker is (by all accounts) moving within the state, NOT leaving. However, there is an absurdly strong GW presence in this area. The Owings Mills store in particular was just opened last year, along with one to the west in Olney. GW's presence in Maryland is not going away.

I also think you're either wrong, or intentionally ignoring the lack of options available to southern MD. In Northern Virginia and southern DC, there are a lot of options. However, there is a conspicious gap on the MD side of DC. The only real stores available from what I've found is a small independent one called Dream Wizards that is just north of DC, or trekking up to either the Columbia or Arundel Mills GWs. I'm in Columbia so that's not a problem, but from what I've seen, south of here is wide open.

It makes perfect sense to put the Bunker there, and it is NOT out of range of Baltimore for events, tournaments, and the like. For everyday / weekly gaming, there are many small GW stores- 4 right around Baltimore that I listed out above. I really don't see where anyone is coming from if they say this "kills" the hobby for them. IMHO, that's just grandstanding- if this makes you stop the hobby, then you probably had already stopped or were ready to. There are plenty of places to play in Baltimore!!!! And most of them are (for better or worse) official GW stores.

For tournaments or large events, there are no GW stores in the Baltimore area, and the only independant store is Games and Stuff, which has a large room which can fit 20 or so tables.

A Bunker in Laurel is over an hour and a half away from people north of the city, not to mention even further away from people in Delaware, New Jersy and New York.

Dream Wizards in DC also has room for a large number of tables, and can accomodate people for large events or alot of game play.

It is far easier for people north of DC to drive around the Beltway there and reach the southern area stores then someone in the middle of Baltimore, Cecil, Harford county or the western part of the state to drive to Laurel.

GW stores also do not cater to the veterans, they cater to the recruits. If you are a veteran, they try to push you out unless you are a big spender.

GW stores are horrible places to play. Cramped, small tables, lots of little kids. The Bunker was a refreshing place to enjoy the hobby and meet with the local gamers. That will be gone once it is in Laurel.

A Bunker in Glen Burnie is only 45 minutes, or less from DC. It would be central to most of Maryland, the north and the south.

All I can say, General Hobbs, is that your geography is off. The Glen Burnie Bunker is NOT 45 minutes from DC.

Heck, it's 30 minutes to get there for me, and I'm in Columbia.

It's true, it will be a bit of a drive for people north of Baltimore if it goes to Laurel, but it's worth it. On the other hand, I envy you (if you're up there, not sure) because you're closer to Mikhaila's excellent store in Media, PA. It takes me 2 hours to get there (going pretty fast) but he's got a separate bunker with tons of tables, and a bunch of great gamers.

If I were you, and you were really wanting to go to a place with lots of tables, that'd be the place.

My point is that, the Bunker will still be close enough to go to for large events, if not for weekly gaming. It's a very small minority of people who have an actual GW Battle Bunker close enough to go to on a weeknight. Having it still in your state is, imho, still excellent.

Just looking at your post, I don't get it- of course moving the Bunker slightly south makes it farther from Delaware, NJ, and NY. But not by much, and if you're driving from NY anyway, you can make it to Laurel.

It does, however, make it closer for people in Northern Virginia (big gaming area, iron fist league, etc) and D.C. If it's there, people from all over MD should be able to make it out for weekend events.

Nothing to cry foul over... Glen Burnie is not central at all, and this location, imho, makes a lot more sense in the big picture of things.