T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM — Fernando Galvan is opening a new business in Marshalltown — Artemis Tavern. The retail store, located in the Nicholas Center, sells anime, gaming and collectible merchandise and provides a place for people to play role-playing and video games.

Gaming enthusiast and business owner Fernando Galvan has found a way to transfer his passion into a new entrepreneurial endeavor in Marshalltown. What started online — Artemis Tavern — has now become physical in the Nicholas Center. The gaming, anime and collectible retail business is set to open its physical location on Saturday at noon.

“I have people coming from all over the country just to see the store itself,” he said. “We have been quite a presence online in social media. We sell anything from cards to custom artwork, collectibles, comics, models. We also design and create what customers like, such as playmats and shirts for them.”

Five years ago, Galvan started selling gaming materials, collectibles and anime items online through various platforms such as eBay, Facebook, TikTok, Drip, Instagram and more social media sites. After building a clientele and more than 100,000 transactions, it was time to take the next step to a brick and mortar — while continuing digital sales.

Inspired by his gaming history, Galvan chose the name of the store from his gamer name — Artemis. He knew he did not want to incorporate “guild” in the name and opted for “tavern” instead.

“So people can congregate and tell stories, hang out and have a good time,” Galvan said.

Creating a space for people to hang out and have fun is a large part of the story of Artemis Tavern. It began in Texas with Galvan’s childhood. He said there was not a lot for him to do until he discovered a cyber cafe.

“Me and my little brother would spend hours there playing games, meeting new people, hanging out,” Galvan said.

Then his family moved to Ottumwa where some negative experiences were encountered.

“I experienced racism. I experienced bullying. It was not a good culture,” Galvan said. “My math teacher rented a space and opened a teen center. We painted the walls and made our own little getaway from everything in the world.”

HIs teacher passed after Galvan moved away, and Artemis Tavern is intended to recreate what was started.

“That is the vision — create a safe haven for everyone to come and have a good time and get away from the bad of the world,” he said. “Our motto is, ‘Be the light the world needs.'”

Inside the store, the for-sale merchandise — Sailor Moon, Disney, Marvel, DC and more — are displayed on shelves.

“A lot of our anime comes from overseas,” he said. “We also have a contract with Knights & Summons. We are their second retail store which will carry it. You can find it online, but no other physical store will have it.”

Beyond selling merchandise to fellow enthusiasts, Artemis Tavern will accommodate gaming. Large tables are set up and screens attached to the walls. Galvan said people can come to the store and engage in role-playing games, such as Dungeons & Dragons.

“We have a dungeon master who is going to host on the weekends,” he said. “They will be able to teach anybody how to play, anybody who is interested.”

The business owner is also setting up some consoles so kids can play video games with their friends. Outside of sales and playing a variety of games, Galvan also hopes to teach the younger generation a variety of technology-related skills.

“I have workshops set up to teach them how to run a 3D printer,” he said. “I have a background in computer programming and can teach them computer coding.”

The hours of the business are not yet set in stone as Galvan travels across the country to various conventions. Those trips have provided networking opportunities and established contacts with voice actors whom he hopes to bring to Marshalltown.

Next week, Galvan will be in Kansas City; in July, Fort Worth; in September, the All C’s Collector’s Showcase in Colorado; and in October, the Collect-A-Con convention in Chicago.

“[All C’s] actually asked us to go and showcase our stuff,” he said. “We do travel a lot and are trying to hire more staff.”

Due to traveling, the grand opening for Artemis Tavern will take place after Galvan returns from Fort Worth. He plans to bring one or two artists to sign merchandise and provide some food and games to people who attend.

“We’re just trying to bring something and give to the community,” Galvan said. “We’re trying to get kids away from the streets, from doing anything bad and show them there is something better.”

STORE INFORMATION:

Name: Artemis Tavern

Address: 2501 S. Center St.

Phone: 641-208-8989

Website: artemistavern.com

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210

or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.