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FROM STAFF REPORTS

CALERA — Family hobby and gaming store R.O.E. Hobby has moved to downtown Calera and is set to open Friday, May 1, Calera Main Street announced Wednesday, April 29.

Formerly located on Shelby County 22 next to Spa 22 and Sunset Salon, R.O.E. Hobby is now at 10870 Alabama 25, between Adventurer’s Coffee Co. and The Garage Kickboxing. They are a family friendly, woman-owned and veteran-operated small business. The store carries gaming supplies such as Dungeons and Dragons, Magic the Gathering, Warhammer 40K and Battlefront Miniature Games. They also have tables available for open gaming and host groups on a scheduled basis.

“I love the timing of this,” said Jackie Batson, Calera Main Street executive director. “As we begin to reopen retail and people start to safely explore downtown, they can check out a brand-new business. Grab a cup of coffee (curbside for now) next door at Adventurer’s Coffee Co. and head over to R.O.E. to purchase some family entertainment.”

R.O.E. Hobby is locally owned by Tyneshia Rice and Isaac Nicholson. They have worked on establishing their niche in the gaming community in Shelby County for the last few years.

“It all started with my husband, TJ Rice’s, hobby. He has been playing strategy board games for many years,” said  Tyneshia Rice. “We looked around the Shelby County area and saw there was a lack of stores that catered to family games. We have tried to make the store a welcoming place to play and get to know fellow gamers. We feel blessed by the customer support that required us to find a larger location to grow!”

As with all Calera Main Street businesses, patrons can expect the utmost in safety and COVID-19 precautions. Retailers will limit occupancy, as well as ensure in-store social distancing and excellent hygiene measures.

On Saturday, June 6, R.O.E. Hobby will have their grand opening celebration starting at 10 a.m. There will be a bounce house for the kids, door prize drawings, gaming demonstrations and other community involvement.

“This is our way of saying hello to the community and all are welcome,” Rice said. “Hopefully, this will become an annual event for us, but for now, we want to get to know the community here in Shelby County and let everyone know we are here.”

For more information about R.O.E. Hobby, their grand opening and game demonstration times, visit their Facebook page @ROEhobby or their website at Roehobby.store.