Cloak & Blaster, Popular Gaming Bar, Set to Close After Decade in Business
After a decade in business, Cloak & Blaster, a bar catering to the tabletop gaming community in Orange County, Florida, has announced its plans to close for good. The closure was confirmed in a Facebook post on Tuesday, leaving many in the local gaming community disheartened.
Reasons for Closure: Rising Costs and Loss of Business
In the closure announcement, Cloak & Blaster cited several reasons for their decision to shut down the bar. One of the main factors was the rising costs they experienced after relocating to their new location at the University of Central Florida in 2021. The post revealed that their food and beverage costs had skyrocketed over 300% since the move. This significant increase in expenses had put a strain on the business’s profitability.
Furthermore, the business had also suffered a loss of customers after changing locations. While the original location had deteriorated and became unsafe for both employees and patrons, the changes implemented at the new location, such as an updated gaming policy and an overhauled menu, were not well-received by the gaming community. These factors collectively contributed to a decline in business, making it difficult for the bar to sustain its operations.
New Location Failed to Gain Traction Despite Menu Overhaul
Despite the efforts to revamp the menu and update the gaming policies at their new location, Cloak & Blaster struggled to gain traction among their target audience. The changes made were intended to attract more customers and improve the overall experience. Unfortunately, these efforts were not successful, and the bar continued to face challenges in attracting a significant customer base.
Debt from Pandemic Adds Burden to Closing Gaming Bar
Like many other businesses, Cloak & Blaster faced additional hardships due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The closure announcement mentioned that the bar had accumulated debt during this challenging period, making it even more difficult to keep the business afloat. The pandemic had a severe impact on the hospitality industry, and many establishments like Cloak & Blaster were unable to fully recover from the financial setbacks caused by the extended periods of closure and limited capacity restrictions.
Closure Announcement Leaves Gaming Community in Disarray
The news of Cloak & Blaster’s impending closure has left the local gaming community in disarray. The bar was not only a popular spot for gamers to gather and enjoy their favorite tabletop games but also served as a community hub. Many gamers have expressed their sorrow and nostalgia for the bar, as it held a special place in their hearts. The closure of Cloak & Blaster marks the end of an era for the local gaming community, leaving them without a dedicated space to come together and enjoy their shared passion.
In conclusion, the closure of Cloak & Blaster comes as a result of rising costs, loss of business, and debt accumulated during the pandemic. Despite efforts to revitalize the bar at its new location, the business struggled to attract an audience and maintain profitability. The gaming community now faces the challenge of finding a new gathering place to replace the void left by Cloak & Blaster’s closure.
Analyst comment
Negative news. As an analyst, the closure of Cloak & Blaster is a reflection of the challenges faced by businesses in the hospitality industry. Rising costs, loss of business, and accumulated debt during the pandemic contributed to the decision. The gaming community will need to find an alternative gathering place to fill the void left by the bar’s closure. This could impact other businesses in the area catering to the gaming community.
