Murray Whiteford rolled the dice when he moved from Sydney to Echuca to take care of his mum.
Originally a librarian, Murray discovered there were no jobs in the area — but a fresh path emerged out of a personal passion.
He opened Echuca's first dedicated game store in 2018 from a compact Pakenham Street shopfront — shelves modest, space tight — before eventually growing into larger premises just down the road.
But sometimes, Murray’s dice landed on ones.
The tabletop gaming store is hoping to rebuild passing trade following the reopening of a section of road due to the deconstruction of one of Echuca’s landmarks — the water tower.
Extended road closures — due to the prolonged program — between June and October cut off passing foot traffic and parking spaces directly outside the entrance.
While booming card game trends helped mask financial dips, losing convenient parking made regular visits harder for patrons hauling heavy miniature cases.
Now with barricades removed and parking restored, regular trading rhythms are returning just in time for the summer holiday rush.
“The road's open, and it’s definitely a good time to come down,” Murray said.
“We are still here, still surviving.”
This was far from the only time Murray and his store had weathered hardship — quite apart from the everyday challenges of running a retail business in regional Victoria.
The Covid-19 lockdowns tested financial resilience, relying on curbside sales and devoted regulars to stay afloat.
Soon after, the devastating 2022 floods struck the region, submerging homes in nearby Rochester — including Murray’s — and disrupting normal trade.
Fortunately, the store itself was spared, but Murray was forced to relocate while his home was rebuilt — a situation shared by many Rochester residents.
And like so many rural businesses, community is pivotal and the heart of the store.
“The regulars always kept me going,” Murray said.
“They were vital. I mean they kept me going through Covid and the floods.”
The store has become a gathering place for tabletop gaming enthusiasts from Echuca and surrounding towns, as far afield as Shepparton.
Regular sessions span Dungeons and Dragons campaigns, Warhammer miniatures, and competitive card games such as One Piece and Magic: the Gathering.
And stories of inclusion define the shop's atmosphere.
The store welcomes all comers — teenagers deep in long-running campaigns, adults managing visual impairments, a dedicated children's Dungeons and Dragons group, and locals seeking genuine social connection after personal setbacks.
Relationships forged across the gaming tables have even blossomed into lifelong partnerships — from friendships to marriage.
“My original mission statement was to build a community,” Murray said.
“And I really feel like that's happened.”
Online discount retailers, digital gaming platforms, and home 3D printing technology all pose real and growing challenges for bricks-and-mortar hobby stores such as Murray's but screen simulations cannot replicate the tangible joy of rolling dice alongside friends.
With the street open and welcoming local families back through the door, the mission remains simple — keeping doors open, welcoming new players, and offering a safe space where anyone can roll the dice.
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