Last December, a Reddit user known as Chef-BILLIEVE—whom we’ll refer to as Bill—captivated the gaming community with a stunningly detailed recreation of a GameStop storefront built right in his basement. Designed as a nostalgic sanctuary for his expansive collection, the project recently gained a second wind when GameStop’s official social media accounts highlighted the work. Intrigued by the level of craftsmanship, I sat down with Bill to discuss the origins of this unique “man cave.” As it turns out, the story behind the shelves is as heartwarming as it is resourceful.
Bill’s passion for the hobby took root in the late 1990s. While he started with Nintendo classics, his transition into the PlayStation era—specifically through legendary titles like Resident Evil 2 and Final Fantasy 7—changed everything. “Those games were the catalyst for a lifelong obsession with JRPGs,” Bill explains, “which now make up the heart of my current collection.”
Having spent his teenage years browsing the aisles of Electronics Boutique and Toys ‘R Us, Bill eventually transitioned into an adult life that provided the space to honor those memories. When he and his wife moved into a home with a spacious, finished basement, she suggested he transform the area into a dedicated space for his hobby. From that suggestion, an ambitious plan was born.
“I can’t pinpoint the exact moment the retail theme clicked,” Bill admits. “It started as a running gag between me and a close friend. I’d say, ‘I’m going to build a literal game store down there.’ It was just a dream until last Christmas when my wife surprised me with a professional glass display case. That was the spark. My brain just works that way—what better way to organize a collection than using the very fixtures designed for that exact purpose?”
Fortune smiled on the project shortly after. A local fabric store was shuttering its doors and liquidating its entire interior. Bill managed to secure high-end commercial fixtures, shelving, and furniture at a fraction of their original cost. He made several trips to haul the loot, and by the final day of the liquidation, the staff was so impressed by his dedication that they gave him the remaining supplies for free.
The construction phase lasted approximately three months, with the total budget landing around $2,000. This covered everything from electrical work and specialized lighting to paint, drywall, and the signature retail carpeting. While the finished product looks incredibly high-end, Bill emphasizes that it was a labor of love rather than an unlimited budget. “There were some assumptions that I must be incredibly wealthy,” he laughs. “In reality, the liquidation sale was what made it feasible.” The DIY process wasn’t without its hurdles; installing the basement slatwalls and adjusting the ceiling height to accommodate the retail aesthetic required significant trial and error.
“The ceiling-mounted CRT setup is definitely one of my favorite features,” Bill says. And he isn’t finished yet. “I’m constantly looking to expand the library and refine the room’s details. This has been a lifelong pursuit, and having this space opens up new creative possibilities every day.”
While the project looks like a professional showroom, it also served a much deeper, therapeutic purpose. “This was an experiment in healing,” Bill shares. “I lost my father to lung cancer in 2024. I was struggling to find a healthy way to process that grief. My dad was the one who taught me how to work with my hands; he gave me the skills to handle a renovation like this. While I was building, it felt like he was right there with me.”
He continues: “Seeing the comments on Reddit, I realized many others are going through their own battles. It’s a reminder that our hobbies aren’t just distractions—they can be medicine. These passions have the power to bring people together when they need it most.”
The overwhelming digital response caught Bill off guard. For many, his “basement GameStop” represents a golden era of gaming culture—a time when local shops were more than just retail outlets; they were community hubs. As physical storefronts continue to dwindle, Bill’s project preserves that atmosphere.
“It wasn’t just about the products; it was about the social experience,” Bill says. “These were the places where we grew up and shared our excitement for the media we loved. Building this meant I didn’t have to leave those memories in the past. To see older gamers reminisce while younger fans get inspired has been incredibly rewarding.”
Despite the accuracy of the room, Bill has never actually worked for GameStop. However, that hasn’t stopped him from having some fun with the concept. “We haven’t had many visitors yet, but my friends and I have joked about filming some skits. I can see it now: my buddy brings in a rare masterpiece, and I offer him three dollars in store credit or try to aggressively upsell him on a Pro membership.”
As someone who did spend a season behind a real GameStop counter, I can confirm: that is the height of authenticity.
For more incredible community stories, check out how a “Switch 2” prank and a single stapler raised $250,000 for charity.
Source: gamesradar.com
