The retail world is shrinking. Fast. If you’ve driven down Ety Road recently, you’ve probably seen the neon sign for GameStop in Lancaster Ohio still glowing, which, honestly, feels like a minor miracle in 2026. While the company is slashing hundreds of stores across the country this month—January 2026 is basically a "red wedding" for physical game media—our local spot at the Shops at Ety Village is still standing.
It's weird. You’d think with the "digital apocalypse" and the fact that most people just download their Friday night fun directly to their NVMe drives, these places would be ghost towns. But they aren't. At least, not this one.
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The State of GameStop in Lancaster Ohio (2026)
Right now, the primary hub is the Shops at Ety Village location. You know the one—1370 Ety Rd, Ste 115. It sits right in that heavy-traffic zone near the Ross Henderson Shopping Center. People call it the "Ety Road GameStop" because, well, that's where it is.
What's the vibe? It’s a mix of frantic collectors hunting for PSA-graded Charizards and parents trying to figure out why their kid’s "Switch 2" needs a specific proprietary cable. It’s busy. Surprisingly so.
Current Store Info & Hours
If you’re planning a trip to trade in that stack of PS4 games you haven't touched since the pandemic, here is the current schedule for the Ety Road spot:
- Monday - Thursday: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Friday - Saturday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
The River Valley Mall location? That’s a different story. If you grew up in Lancaster, the mall was the place to go. But mall culture is struggling. While the River Valley Mall (1635 River Valley Cir S) still technically exists, the anchor stores like JCPenney and Dick’s are the main draw now. The GameStop presence inside malls has been the first to go in this 2026 closure wave. Always check the store locator before you drive out there, because what was open last Tuesday might be shuttered by next Monday.
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Why 2026 Is a "Make or Break" Year for Local Gaming
The SEC filings don't lie. GameStop confirmed they’re closing a "significant number" of stores by the end of this fiscal year (January 31, 2026). Ohio is getting hit hard. Cities like Chillicothe, Canton, and Dublin have already seen their stores get the axe this month.
So why does GameStop in Lancaster Ohio seem to be holding on?
Basically, it comes down to the "human element." There’s a specific kind of trust you get from a local clerk that you just don't get from a "Buy Now" button on a digital storefront. I talked to a guy there last week who was trying to return a refurbished Xbox. In most cities, he’d be stuck in a customer service loop on the phone for three hours. In Lancaster? He just walked in.
"It's the only place within 20 miles where I can actually hold a physical disc before I buy it," says one local regular.
That’s the nuance. People in Fairfield County still like physical stuff. We like knowing that if the internet goes out, we can still play our games.
The "Switch 2" Factor
Everyone is talking about the Nintendo Switch 2. It's the elephant in the room. This console launch is the only reason some of these stores are still profitable. The Lancaster store has been fielding dozens of calls daily about pre-orders. If you’re looking to snag one, being on a first-name basis with the staff at the Ety Road location is basically your only hope of avoiding the scalper bots online.
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The Problem with Being a "Meme Store"
We can't talk about GameStop without mentioning the stock. You’ve seen the news. The volatility is insane. But for the people working the counter in Lancaster, the "To the Moon" stuff doesn't matter when they're dealing with a broken trade-in system or a customer who’s mad about a 15-day return policy.
The reality of GameStop in Lancaster Ohio is that it’s transitioning. It’s becoming less of a "game store" and more of a "collectibles and trading card shop."
- Pokemon TCG: This is what’s keeping the lights on.
- Funko Pops: They take up half the wall space now.
- Retro Gaming: They’re leaning back into older consoles because the margin on new games is basically zero.
Honestly, it’s a gamble. If you want this store to stay in Lancaster, you've gotta actually shop there. Browsing and then buying on Amazon is what killed the stores in Marysville and Troy.
What to Do Before You Head Out
If you’re heading to the Lancaster location today, keep a few things in mind. First, their trade-in values fluctuate wildly. Use the website to check your "Trade Value" before you bag up your old gear. There’s nothing worse than lugging a crate of games to Ety Road only to be offered $14.20 in store credit.
Second, the Pro Membership. They’re pushing it hard right now. If you buy more than two games a year, it’s actually worth it for the $5 monthly coupon, but only if you’re a regular.
Actionable Tips for Lancaster Gamers
- Call Ahead: Don't trust Google Maps for "Real Time" busyness. The Ety Road store is small. If there’s a new release, the line will be out the door.
- Physical Media or Bust: Buy the disc. If the store closes, your digital library is safe, but your ability to resell or trade is gone.
- Check the Clearance: Because of the nationwide closures, some inventory is being moved between stores. You can occasionally find "hidden gems" in the Lancaster clearance bins that were shipped over from a closing Columbus location.
The future of GameStop in Lancaster Ohio isn't guaranteed. It’s a "use it or lose it" situation. If this store survives the 2026 purge, it'll be because our local community decided that having a physical place to talk about games was worth the extra five-minute drive.
Visit the 1370 Ety Rd location during their weekend hours (11:00 AM – 9:00 PM) to check the latest "Used" arrivals, as these are processed on Friday mornings and offer the best chance at finding rare titles before the Saturday rush.