Contribution short abstract:

This paper addresses the phenomenon of board game stores through the ethnography of a newcomer seeking to fit into a town in Catalonia. His experience unveils a store’s dynamics and sense of belonging. Do these stores contribute to place identity despite their atmosphere of fandom subculture?

Contribution long abstract:

This paper explores the role of board game stores in fostering a sense of belonging and contributing to place identity, based on the ethnographic experience of a newcomer seeking to fit into a town in Catalonia. Drawing on Émile Durkheim’s (1912) theory of belonging, which highlights the importance of social cohesion through collective participation, the study examines how the store becomes a site of connection for individuals navigating unfamiliar social landscapes. However, the difficulty of integration without participating in local associations underscores the challenges newcomers face in building meaningful relationships and community ties.

Board game stores present a paradox: they are often perceived as peripheral spaces that exist between leisure, strategy gaming, and fandom subcultures. Despite this marginality, these stores can serve as informal community hubs where participants engage in shared rituals, develop social bonds, and create a localised sense of belonging. The ethnographic account reveals that such spaces challenge the perception of fandom subcultures as disconnected or insular. Instead, they act as intermediaries where individuals negotiate both their social identity and place within the town.

The findings suggest that while board game stores may appear tangential to mainstream community life, they play a vital role in creating micro-communities that contribute to broader place identity. This challenges traditional views of integration by emphasising the significance of unconventional social spaces. Ultimately, the study demonstrates that even peripheral phenomena like board game stores offer pathways to social cohesion and belonging for newcomers navigating unfamiliar territories.