Bitterblossom Games, a tabletop gaming and collectible card trading spot, has opened a larger location on West Main Street after a year of business in Cortez.
The gaming business, founded by Aaron Cato, started online three years ago before opening its first physical store in Cortez on Aug. 2, 2024. After seeing interest grow in a year, the business decided a move was necessary to keep up with the demand.
Now, its square footage has doubled by moving to 8 W. Main St. (between Stonefish and Loungin’ Lizard) from its former location at 1423 E. Main St.
“Collecting and trading collectible cards has been booming the last couple of years, and a lot of people are really interested in it,” Cato told The Journal.
The name “Bitterblossom” comes from the game Magic: The Gathering.
Bitterblossom Games offers board games, trading card games such as Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Lorcana and more, along with tabletop model games like Warhammer, and role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons. The increased interest in collectible card games in recent years has continued drawing players and collectors to Bitterblossom.
Cato shared that he created Bitterblossom Games with the hope of providing a place for people to gather and have fun in an alcohol-free environment. Limited screen usage is also encouraged in the store.
“The main reason I opened the store is because Cortez doesn’t have a place that people can go and just hang out and have fun that doesn’t involve alcohol,” Cato said. “I really wanted it to open a space where everyone can be welcome.”
A Pokémon meetup every Saturday at 1 p.m. for trading and playing and other events take place weekly, and a more detailed schedule can be found on Bitterblossom’s social media channels.
“We have quite a few events that happen weekly, and it’s always growing,” Cato said.
In addition to gaming, Bitterblossom Games partners with Deco Dessert from Mancos to serve ice cream, with flavors changing often. The community is welcome to stop by and buy ice cream even if they’re not playing games. This week, Bitterblossom hit “a record” of 16 flavors at the store.
“The best way to be involved is to come by and play a game and have some fun. We have the best people. I feel like so many fun, interesting people come together and find reasons to enjoy their time that doesn’t involve any screens,” Cato said. “We don’t have video games. We don’t have any TV’s in here, and when people are playing games, they’re almost never looking at their phones. We have a really special place here where you can kind of escape and live a life of fun.”
The store also purchases collections of Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering and other trading cards from collectors who are wishing to cash in on their collection.
For more information or to participate in events, visit Bitterblossom Games’s Facebook or Instagram pages.
