[August 2022] Akihabara store closings

The COVID-19 situation has calmed down considerably, but physical stores are still in a difficult situation due to the increase in working from home.
Akihabara is home to countless restaurants and shops, so the area is constantly changing.
We have confirmed that stores have closed this month, so let's introduce them one by one.

※If you have any omissions or corrections, please contact us via Twitter (@akihabara_bc) or let us know in the comments.

Other store closure information can be found here:

Akihabara's closed stores

Akihabara stores closing in May 2022 (in chronological order)

Closed:6store

Torori Angel Warabimochi Akihabara Branch

Opening date: Friday, June 8, 2021
Closing date: Sunday, June 6, 2022

A warabimochi specialty store that opened just last year has closed.
The store was famous for its "drinkable warabimochi" product, invented by a high school girl, but its location with little foot traffic seems to have had an impact.

Jexer Relax Golf College Atre Akihabara 1

Opening date: Friday, June 19, 2010
Closing date: Tuesday, May 15, 2022

The relaxation facility and golf school located on the 5th and 6th floors of Atre Akihabara 1 will close.
It appears that the stores that will open in the vacant spaces have not yet been announced.

Akihabara Kandenki [Relocation]

Opening date: Saturday, November 20, 2021
Closing date: Sunday, June 20, 2022

An apparel shop on Chuo Street.
They sold merchandise featuring illustrations from 90's PC games.
The relocation destination has not yet been announced.

ALIENWARE STORE AKIBA x Dell Real Site

Opening date: Saturday, November 10, 2016
Closing date: Monday, May 21, 2022
A showroom for the gaming PC brand "ALIENWARE."
Products from the same brand were available for purchase and trial play.

TOKYO VIDEO GAMERS

Opening date: Friday, June 21, 2020
Closing date: Sunday, June 27, 2022

A game bar that had been operating with official permission from a game manufacturer has closed.
The store was located in the "SEEKBASE" facility under the elevated tracks connecting Akihabara and Okachimachi.

Alta Classe Akihabara Store [Relocation]

Opening date: 1990
Closing date: Wednesday, May 30, 2022

A security camera and surveillance camera specialty store that has been in business for 30 years is closing.
The store was scheduled to relocate and renovate in early December, and a closing sale was held from November 10th until the final day of operation.

Will there be a rush of store closures at the end of 2022?

The end of the year is a time when many stores tend to close, but November appears to be a good month with no mass closures.
However, many fans were saddened by the closure of TOKYO VIDEO GAMERS, where customers could enjoy arcade games while enjoying a drink.
At present, stores where you can play card games and board games seem to be more popular.

With trends changing so rapidly, what kind of stores will survive in the future?
We can also expect the birth of stores in entirely new genres.