PITTSFIELD — Mana Crypt Gaming Center has officially leveled up its space.
The tabletop gaming shop, long a home for card tournaments, role-playing groups and hobbyists, has moved from its “cramped” storefront at 139 West Housatonic St. to a much larger, multi-level building at 55 West Housatonic St.
The new space, formerly home to Plaine’s Bike, Ski & Snowboard, gives the business room to expand gameplay, retail displays and event offerings.
“We were busting at the seams of our old ones, so we needed a larger space,” said owner Chris Cahill.
Chris Cahill, owner of Mana Crypt Gaming Center, bought the 10,000 square foot location at 55 West Housatonic Street in Pittsfield for $565,000 in October under Mana Vault LLC after it sat vacant for about a year.
STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE
Cahill spent more than a year searching for a bigger location before landing on the 10,000-square-foot building at the corner of West Housatonic and Elizabeth streets. He purchased the property in October for $565,000. It had been vacant since January 2025, after Plaine’s new owners opted not to renew their lease.
What immediately stood out, Cahill said, was how well the layout suited the store’s needs.
“The multi-level actually worked out well, because we can have all of our standard retail on the first floor, and we can utilize the first on the second floor for that gaming space,” he said.
Miniatures for a host of various table games are stocked at Mana Crypt Gaming Center’s new, larger location in the former Plaine’s Bike, Ski & Snowboard building at 55 West Housatonic Street in Pittsfield.
STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE
The difference is noticeable. The previous location could host only one game at a time, while the new building has room for multiple tables, tournaments and open-play groups.
Mana Crypt’s new home at 55 West Housatonic St. in Pittsfield offers far more room for gameplay and events, with a floor dedicated to tabletop games, a room for card games, and a host of pieces, materials, and hobby supplies for customers to shop from.
STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE
“There’s room to move about now, room to actually see everything, and not bump into other people,” Cahill said.
Aside from adding carpeting and a fresh coat of paint, Cahill said the building didn’t need major renovations and is in “great shape,” although he plans to explore accessibility upgrades in the future.
Inside, customers can find everything from Magic and Pokémon cards to classic board games, tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons and miniature skirmish games such as Warhammer 40K. Mana Crypt also brings players together with weekly tournaments and community play nights.
Shelves inside the new Mana Crypt location are stocked with trading card games, board games and role-playing supplies.
STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE
“We’ve kind of doubled our footprint about every two to three years,” Cahill said, adding that the store’s offerings have expanded naturally with customer interest.
The move comes with a few updates to the store’s offerings. Usage of the play space or painting tables outside of events will now require a $5 table fee, according to the business’s Facebook page. The shop is also rolling out a revamped loyalty program and a $25 monthly membership that provides anytime access to the play space and other benefits.
Community support has been strong. More than 30 people lined up for last Friday’s ribbon-cutting, and the parking lot stayed full throughout the day.
Cahill said his goal is to make Mana Crypt a welcoming, inclusive “third space” where people can relax and connect.
“We want to be very open and friendly to anyone who walks in our doors,” Chris Cahill, owner of Mana Crypt Gaming Center in Pittsfield said. “We try to be a space [where] people can come and hang out and take a break from the woes of the real world.”
STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE
“We want to be very open and friendly to anyone who walks in our doors,” he said. “We try to be a space [where] people can come and hang out and take a break from the woes of the real world.”
Despite the nerves that come with a major move, Cahill said he’s confident the decision will pay off.
“There’s always some amount of jitters whenever you make a big move,” he said. “But overall we looked at it long enough and hard enough that I think it’s going to be nothing but positive for us.”