Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Tony Cade did not think his 2026 would involve moving his business for the eighth time in the last thirty years
“We’re still putting stuff up,” he said, gesturing to half-filled shelves and opened boxes.
Cade owns Challenges Games & Comics off Lavista Road in Tucker. It used to be across the street at Northlake Mall.
“This is actually the first time we’ve had to downsize,” Cade said.
In June, Emory Healthcare announced an expansion in Northlake Mall, and businesses inside received 30-day notices to vacate.
Cade received his notice soon after Challenges was named the “Tucker Business of the Month.”
“We had no clue whatsoever,” Cade said.
Cade pushed to extend the 30 days to 60 and went to work.
“I called the owner of every single shopping center in the area,” he said.
Challenges eventually moved across the street, but into less than half the 8,000-square-foot space it had in Northlake Mall. Cade has already turned away gamers due to lack of space at tables.
There is some help on the way. Challenges will start leasing the space next door as well, creating extra room for gameplay.
Cade knows it’s better than being out of business, and his customers are thankful.
“It means a lot of things to a lot of people. To me, it’s a second home,” customer Michael Shelton said.
Henry Walsh helped organize a GoFundMe campaign that raised more than $9,000 to support the move.
“This is kind of the ultimate melting pot of pop culture,” Walsh said.
It’s all tied together through Cade, whom customers repeatedly mentioned as a linchpin of Metro Atlanta’s gaming community.
“He made places around him better,” Walsh said.
For now, it’s just in a cozier atmosphere.
“We have no choice but to make it work, and we’re going to make it work,” Cade said.
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