Treasure Chest Games – Learn, Play, Buy, and Connect!
- Shelly Peterson
- 6 minutes ago
- 2 min read
In the heart of Cloquet’s Historic West End Business District, a unique destination is bringing together collectors, gamers, families, and enthusiasts from across the region. Meet Treasure Chest Games. A growing community hub built around learning, gaming, collecting, and connection.
Owners Ryan and Hollie Peterson officially opened the storefront doors on December 31, 2025, but the journey started years earlier. Ryan, originally from Hermantown, spent time working as an electrician in Kentucky, while Hollie grew up in England. Their story is one rooted in connection through gaming itself. The couple met through gaming, married in 2023, and made Cloquet home in 2024.
What began as an online-only business operated from their garage and home in 2019 quickly outgrew its space in a memorable way.
“We literally had a floor joist buckle under the weight of the cards,” laughed owner Ryan Peterson.
That moment helped launch the next chapter. A brick-and-mortar location designed not only to sell games, but to create a destination where people could gather, play, learn, trade, and build friendships.
Treasure Chest Games specializes in collectible trading cards, including Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, tabletop games, accessories, and sought-after collectibles. Today, customers travel from as far as 30 miles away to participate in game nights, leagues, tournaments, and “Learn to Play” events.
“Gaming became really popular during the pandemic in 2020,” explained Ryan. “We host Learn to Play events here and our storefront business has been doing really well.”
The store maintains a monthly calendar packed with leagues and community events, and currently operates seven days a week, creating an inviting environment for beginners and seasoned collectors alike.
Behind the storefront is an operation much larger than many realize.
Approximately half of Treasure Chest Games’ business revolves around buying and selling cards. Customers can sell cards for approximately 50% of appraised value or receive 60% in store credit. Ryan and his team showcased an impressive backroom inventory filled with cataloged cards that are digitally searchable.
“We call most of these high-end singles that people are seeking,” Ryan shared. “We bulk mail on Tuesdays and Fridays. The online store is an incredible amount of work to manage, which is why we need our talented staff. Customers can place orders online or pick them up here at the store.”
The business now employs roughly ten team members, with much of the daily operation dedicated to supporting online fulfillment and inventory management. The storefront side focuses on unopened card packs, accessories, and community engagement. Ryan explained that when distributors release new products, demand can become so strong that purchase limits are often necessary.
More than just a retail store, Treasure Chest Games has become a place where people gather around a common interest. A dedicated space to learn, play, connect, and belong.
For collectors hunting rare cards, families looking for a new hobby, or anyone interested in experiencing the excitement of tabletop gaming, this Hidden Gem is worth exploring.
Treasure Chest Games
102 Ave C
Cloquet, MN 55720
📞 218-499-7019
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