Brown Bear Games turns Pokémon cards into positivity

South Wales Argus

07-06-2025

In an area with better transport links than their prior Barry store, dedicated customers to the cult trading card game Pokémon can indulge in anything and everything associated with the hobby within the shop's walls.
The colourful and eye-catching shop floor is just the beginning, as upstairs houses an exclusive gaming area that sees frequent use from players across Newport and competitors from the rest of the UK.
Brown Bear's competitive Pokémon team is through to the world championships in California and, as one of a small minority of teams in South Wales that are sponsored by a store, they are spreading the Brown Bear name not just in the UK but across the world.
Members of Brown Bear's tournament team see consistent success (Image: Supplied)For a business owner, the team isn't a financial decision. Instead, it's a positive force for people of all ages to get out and socialise. Team members are aged between 14 and 40, showing the clear resurgence of the hobby for the younger generations in recent years and the dedication of those who pioneered it.
Owner Richard Smith said: 'There's a massive sense of camaraderie, particularly among the older players who joined because they wanted a hobby and to enjoy themselves.
'They hold a lot of pride for themselves and their teammates, even win they don't win, because they feel as though they've contributed to their teammate's win.'
This business is so much more than just the packs on the shelves, teaching that what many judge as a reclusive hobby is in fact a way for all generations to get out of their homes to enjoy themselves as part of a group of like-minded individuals. It sees a varied customer base every single day, from collectors and hobbyists to streamers and people who make a living from Pokémon cards.
Like most things, the Pokémon hobby dips in and out of popularity but Brown Bear is there with a quick gesture to the customers who stay loyal throughout.
When the latest set of Pokémon cards was released at the tail end of last month, a queue of around 100 people had formed outside the store. As a thank you to all those who had waited in the hours long queue to buy products from Brown Bear, Richard cracked 3 booster boxes of the new release for customers to open while they waited in line – for those not up to date on their Pokémon, that's 108 packs or over £450 worth of stock.
Richard said: 'We always make sure that our customers who come in here week after week, who's names we know, are looked after.
'This business is a long-term venture, so acts like that keep people coming back and remembering us.'