“Twenty-five years is a lifetime, a lifetime of memories and touching so many lives, I’m sure in ways we can’t ever fully understand because pop culture and gaming have a way of connecting communities that is simply special.
“It’s going to be an incredibly difficult and emotional time for staff and customers alike, as we all say farewell to our EB Games New Zealand stores.”
According to Stockwell, the company had numerous third parties approach it after reports that it was considering closing, but no proposals or solutions were presented to keep the New Zealand business sustainable.
The news of a half-price closing-down sale attracted many bargain hunters to downtown Whangārei, where the queue to enter EB Games travelled from the front door to Rathbone St around the corner.
Some people had been waiting in the queue for up to an hour. Photo / Karina Cooper
The store opened at 1pm, by which time some people had already been queuing for nearly an hour.
The Advocate understands people were being let inside in small groups.
A 16-year-old, who did not want to be named, was disappointed that EB Games was closing in New Zealand.
“I think it sucks, to be honest.”
He said there was nowhere else in Whangārei to buy in-store the type of products sold by EB Games.
“I think the other biggest franchise for, like, video games is JB Hi-Fi.”
Northland’s nearest JB Hi-Fi store is 119km away in Albany, Auckland.
“I guess now people are going to have to go to Auckland for that type of thing.”
