By ADAM ATKINSON

POTSDAM -- A gamer and anime aficionado who previously worked for a major gaming company is opening a shop at 25 Market St. in Potsdam at the site of a former yoga studio.

Legendary Loot will focus on a diverse range of products appealing to gamer and nerd culture, says owner Justus Cross. Cross, 33, a 2002 Madrid-Waddington graduate and Massena resident, returned to the area recently and attends college at SUNY Potsdam with a double major in sociology and psychology.

“I’ve always been a gamer and an anime fan,” said Cross. “I even worked at Blizzard Entertainment for 3 years. I’m deep in the culture.”

“There are a lot of people around here now that are into it, so there is a demand for it,” Cross said.

Seeing an opportunity, Cross took initiative, rolled the dice, and opened Legendary Loot.

Cross said once he made the decision to open a store, he started doing all of the paperwork. “I just rode that momentum of excitement to get through all of that sticky process.”

In an area with a growing gamer culture and stores catering to that, Cross feels that its important to work with the other stores in the region to help promote each other. Potsdam’s Market Street features the Virtual Entertainment Lounge across the street and Tactics above Maxfields Restaurant, which offers escape room style games. Gamer Craze at 21 Depot St. in Canton specializes in comic books and table top games.

Legendary Loot will offer some similar things, but most of the products will be items a gamer will not be able to find anywhere else, he said.

The store will feature collectibles, some tabletop games and a host of gaming accessories and nerd culture items. Cross said his may be the only store that will be selling dueling light sabers and the collection of 250 Funko Pops that he has for sale.

A back room will be dedicated to tabletop gaming like Dungeons and Dragons, Warhammer or Axis and Allies.

“There will be a little bit of everything. That’s the focus of the store… diversity. When you open the door to the store I want that ‘wow’ factor. (Customers) can almost always find something they want.”

Cross plans to host tournaments at the store and regular cosplay contests and the space will also be a showcase to feature gamer-centric art, including paintings by his fiancé Dani LaShomb.

Cross plans to be open for business officially on Friday, Nov. 24, at 10 a.m. to capitalize on the Christmas shopping season.

The store’s Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/legendaryloot.us and phone number is 315-705-5188.