Muletown Hobbies and Games: A place for fun, art and all things nerd culture

Muletown Hobbies and Games is calling on all tabletop gamers, collectors, card players and hobbyists to the newest small business to take up residence at the Columbia Arts Building.

Co-founders Mandi Duncan and Michael Waggoner are both lifelong gamers who describe themselves as "nerd culture enthusiasts, selling nerdy stuff from nerdy people."

The duo celebrated the store's grand opening this week by inviting city leaders, state officials and citizens to visit the shop and hear their story about how Muletown Hobbies and Games will add yet another creative layer to the CAB's ever-changing pallet of small businesses.

"I've always been a nerd, and I've known Mandi for years, and when she told me about the idea for this store, I knew she'd need help," Waggoner said. "We want to help grow the community with a place like this, have something where when I was a kid, I wish I could have gone there."

Since opening in 2017, the CAB has housed dozens of businesses like Bad Idea Brewing, as well as various eateries, coffee shops, retail vendors, martial arts classes and creative workspaces. It has also been a hotbed for special events, concerts and community gatherings within the Columbia Arts District.

"This building has been an anchor for the Arts District in a large part," Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder said.

"Over the years it has had a number of businesses inside its walls. Some are still here, some have gone and some are new, and that's why we are excited about this. It's a sign this building continues to cultivate new small businesses geared towards some form of an arts focus."

Customers who visit Muletown Hobbies and Games, located on the CAB's first floor, will find a plethora of items for tabletop gamers like Warhammer and Dungeons & Dragons, multi-sided dice, as well as toys, Magic: The Gathering cards and more.

The shop also offers 3D-printing services, which Duncan said can build things like models, props and resin figures for a fee.

"We have a wide range of things, and right now we are slowly growing our hobbies line," Duncan said. "This includes paints, tools, glues and models people can paint. Eventually, we want to start hosting painting classes with tutorials for people to learn how to paint their models."

While the shop currently operates within a single-room, Waggoner said he hopes Muletown Hobbies and Games can eventually grow to host events like tournaments, as well as have tables for teams to set up right there at the store.

"Our goal is to have actual tables, a room for game clubs, or people that come in with card games, bring their D&D sets, all that kind of stuff," Waggoner said. "I just want to help people have fun, forget their day-to-day jobs. And the best part for us is that it doesn't really feel like a job, at least not yet."

Sen. Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald, said he was excited to see a new Columbia small business opening up, even if the world of gaming culture isn't exactly a topic he's familiar with.

"I want to congratulate Mandi and Michael for taking this step to start their own business. That's what this country is based on, its small businesses, people willing to take the risk and start their business," Hensley said. "This is a great place, and there are so many things here that interest our kids today, and adults, with hobbies and games."

Molder added that another reasons he was excited to see the store open is that Duncan also happens to be a former Columbia Central High School classmate, and it's another positive aspect to the Arts District's continued growth.

"Being at an opening of a game store should say, if anything how cool the mayor, vice mayor and our state delegation are," Molder joked.

"I'm very excited about this new business, for my former classmate and friend. I'm also excited about what it means for this building, with the city of Columbia putting so much focus on the Arts District, and our [South Garden Street] streetscape project is now nearing completion and looks really good."

Muletown Hobbies and Games, 307 W. 11th St., are open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, follow Muletown Hobbies and Games on Facebook and Instagram.

Jay Powell is a general reporter for The Daily Herald. Get up-to-date news in your inbox by subscribing to The Daily Herald newsletter at www.ColumbiaDailyHerald.com.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Muletown Hobbies and Games sets up shop in Arts District