M and M Video Games Brings Something St. Pete Has Been Missing

St. Pete doesn’t need another place to buy things. What it quietly needs are places where people can linger without being rushed out by a tab or a closing time. That’s why the arrival of M and M Video Games in the EDGE District feels more interesting than a standard retail opening.

The longtime Tampa Bay gaming shop has opened its first St. Petersburg location at 1211 1st Avenue North, sliding neatly into a stretch of the EDGE that already thrives on experience driven businesses. Sharing a building with Zubrick Magic Theatre and 1st Avenue Liquors, the location makes sense in a way that feels intentional rather than accidental.

This Store Was Built for Hanging Around, Not Just Shopping

Walk inside and it becomes clear quickly that this is not designed as a quick in and out stop. The 2,475 square foot space is still filling in, but the layout already tells the story. Shelves of retro and modern video games line the walls, while the center of the store is left open for tables, chairs, and actual play.

M and M carries thousands of titles across generations, along with consoles, accessories, board games, and tabletop gear, but the point is not just inventory. The point is presence. You are meant to sit down, shuffle cards, and stay awhile instead of scanning price tags and leaving.

Buy-Sell-Trade Keeps the Place Feeling Alive

The store operates on a buy sell trade model, which keeps the shelves changing and gives regulars a reason to stop back in. According to store management, roughly ninety five percent of the video games in stock are used, which is exactly why collectors and nostalgic gamers tend to circle places like this.

That constant turnover is part of the appeal. If you see something you want, it might not be there tomorrow, and if you come back next week, there will probably be something new waiting. Beyond video games, the St. Pete shop is clearly positioning itself as a trading card hub. Magic The Gathering, Pokémon, Yu Gi Oh, One Piece, and Dungeons and Dragons materials are already on the shelves, with plans for weekly tournaments and recurring game nights.

That detail matters. Stores that actually host play tend to turn into community anchors, not just retail stops, and downtown St. Pete does not have many places that serve that role without revolving around alcohol.

This Is Not a Trial Run for the Company

M and M Video Games is not testing the waters with this location. The St. Pete shop is the company’s fifth storefront, joining established locations in Tampa, Clearwater, Palm Harbor, and Largo. They also operate large scale gaming and trading card events across Florida, including TCG Trade N Play Supercon, and recently hosted a trading card event at the Coliseum in downtown St. Pete.

That experience shows in how confidently the new location is being rolled out, with structured events, opening specials, and a clear plan to integrate into the local scene rather than simply exist next to it.

Hours Are Set, but the Bigger Question Is Cultural

The store is currently open Monday through Saturday from 10a.m. to 8p.m. and Sundays from 10a.m. to 6p.m., with hours expected to evolve as foot traffic patterns become clearer.

What will matter more than hours, though, is whether this becomes a true third place. St. Pete has no shortage of shopping or nightlife, but spaces that encourage regular, low pressure social interaction are harder to come by. If M and M leans into accessibility and community programming, this could become one of those rare spots people build into their weekly routines. If you have old games collecting dust, a card deck you have been meaning to dust off, or you are simply looking for something to do in the EDGE District that does not involve ordering another drink, this shop is worth a visit while it is still finding its rhythm.

Because the best thing about buy-sell-trade culture is that the story changes every time you walk through the door!