A new kind of magic has arrived at Dakota Square Mall, one built on cards, gaming, and community. Badlands Gaming, Minot’s newest trading card shop, is open for business and already making waves among collectors, casual fans, and competitive players alike.
Owned by longtime hobbyist and entrepreneur Joey Schilling, Badlands Gaming is more than just a place to buy Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, or Warhammer 40K, it’s quickly becoming a hub for community, competition, and nostalgia.
“Honestly, I opened this because I just love the hobby,” Schilling said with a shrug. “I’ve been collecting since I was a kid. My dad used to give us Pokémon packs as rewards for cleaning our rooms. That’s how it started.”
Schilling made the move to North Dakota at the end of July 2025 from his hometown in Ohio, where economic hardships and high poverty rates weighed heavily. “Minot just made sense,” he said. “Less crime, better economy, friendlier people. It’s peaceful here. You drive 10 minutes out of town and it’s just beautiful. Cold, but beautiful.”
That combination of safety and scenery sealed the deal for Schilling, who saw Minot as fertile ground for his next venture.
Badlands Gaming sits comfortably inside Dakota Square Mall, and that choice was no accident.
“I’ve had stores in malls before, it works,” Schilling explained. “You’ve got built-in foot traffic. People are already here to shop, so it just makes sense. Yeah, it’s more expensive, but you get what you pay for.”
The store has been in a soft opening phase since August 1st. While still completing its full layout and signage, it already boasts a growing inventory of booster packs, singles, miniatures, and gaming supplies. A grand opening event is expected within the next few weeks.
Today, Badlands Gaming deals in everything from sealed products to rare singles cards. One of the most exciting acquisitions so far? Just last week, a full Evolving Skies Pokémon Masters Set was purchased from a walk-in customer for $4,000. “It’s worth around $4,800 to $5,000,” Schilling said. “That kind of stuff walking in the door? That’s what makes this fun.”
Customers will also find high-end cards like an $1,800 Lillie Lillie is a popular Trainer Supporter card from the Sun & Moon series of the Pokémon TCG, known both for its strong gameplay effect and highly sought-after full-art versions, and sealed booster boxes from older sets, the kind of products collectors dream about.
Badlands isn’t just about buying and selling, it’s about playing. The store already has a major Warhammer 40K event scheduled for September 20, expected to bring in 15–20 players for a full day of battles. And the best part? No entry fee. “I’m not charging people just to play here,” Schilling said. “I pay for the space already. Unless it’s a structured tournament with prize support, it should just be about having fun.”
He also plans to host “Magic: The Gathering” events regularly and wants to introduce trading nights, where players can swap cards freely, a rare feature in modern game shops. “As long as people aren’t trying to undercut the store right in front of me, I don’t care if they trade. It’s part of the culture. I want people to feel welcome here.”
So who’s coming into Badlands Gaming? According to Schilling, it’s a split crowd. “For Magic, it’s mostly players. For Pokémon, it’s all collectors. Out of every 50 people who buy Pokémon, maybe one actually plays. The rest are chasing their nostalgia.”
And for those just getting started in the hobby? “Protect your cards. Sleeve them. Keep them away from your little cousins,” said Joey. “Or your brother, in my case,” joked a customer in the store.
Schilling isn’t looking to franchise or expand anytime soon. His goal is simple: stay rooted, grow slowly, and serve the community. “I want to stay right here in this spot, in this mall. I’m not looking to be bigger, just better.”
That includes partnering with other local game stores .
to ensure events don’t overlap and divide the player base. “I don’t want to compete with other stores. I want to complement them. This isn’t about taking over, it’s about building something together.”
While the in-store experience is the heart of Badlands, the store also has an online storefront through TCGPlayer https://www.tcgplayer.com/search/all/product?seller=15d72bff&view=grid, offering Magic, Pokémon, Flesh and Blood, Star Wars Unlimited, and more, with Yu-Gi-Oh! singles likely coming soon.
Shelving upgrades, D&D books, plushies, and additional merchandise are all in the pipeline as the shop finalizes its setup for the grand opening.
Badlands Gaming is more than a card shop, it’s a love letter to the hobby. Whether you’re a long-time collector, a Friday Night Magic regular, or someone just curious about what’s behind the shiny booster packs, Badlands welcomes you to the table.
