In an unfortunate event, RetroGamerPH store, which is located in Caloocan, Metro Manila, was razed by fire in the afternoon of May 10, 2024.
According to the Facebook post by Erwin Esteban, the store’s owner and who Filipino retro gamers affectionately call as ‘chairman,’ no one was harmed during the fire, and only minor injuries were sustained by the cat of his youngest child. However, the fire was so intense that it engulfed the entire store.
RetroGamerPH is a store that sells and collects retro gaming items such as game consoles, computers, video games, toys, and more. These items, mostly from the 80s up to the early 2000s, which are not as widely played in the present era, are considered classic or iconic items and are now revisited and played for its nostalgia.
Esteban has been organizing exhibits and expos featuring various retro games, toys, and collectibles that Filipino gaming collectors eagerly anticipate annually. The next expo is supposedly scheduled for May 19, but with the recent tragic incident, it is unclear whether the event will push through or not.
As of now, It is unclear how the fire started.
Esteban expressed gratitude that despite what happened, he and his family were safe and unharmed. Family and friends have showered the post with prayers and support, holding onto hope that the store will soon return to its former state and continue to serve avid retro gaming enthusiasts.
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