I Prevail’s Eric Vanlerberghe ‘Black Vault Gaming’ in Saint Clair Shores, Michigan is a haven for card games, retro consoles, and collectors. Open daily for gamers of all kinds.
Turns out the man who screams his lungs out on stage also knows a thing or two about loot drops and boss battles. Eric Vanlerberghe of I Prevail is also a gamer and co owner of the store, Black Vault Gaming, in Saint Clair Shores, Michigan, a haven where heavy riffs meet high scores.
Located at 22316 Harper Ave, Black Vault Gaming is open Monday to Saturday (12pm–8pm) and Sundays (12pm–6pm), and it’s every nerd’s dream made flesh, walls lined with retro consoles, shelves stacked with collectible cards, and enough nostalgia to make a ‘90s kid tear up. Myself included!
When we dropped in earlier today, Eric was kind enough to give us a full tour of the Vault and his passion for it clearly shines through. The space hums with that perfect balance of awesome and care, with a mix of neon lighting, rare Pokémon pulls, and the steady click of controllers. Chatting with Eric, It’s clear this isn’t a vanity project, it’s a passion built space run by someone who still gets stoked about finding a rare cartridge.
From Magic: The Gathering to Super Smash Bros., Black Vault Gaming caters to casual players, competitive card warriors, and collectors hunting for that one missing grail. It’s not just a store, it’s a community hub with tournaments, trade nights, and casual hangs. The Vault feels like a modern day arcadia built for connection in a world that’s forgotten how to slow down.
You can check out the full line up of games, merch, and events at blackvaultgaming.com or through their Linktree.
Whether you’re after a mint condition GameCube title or just want to talk smack over Mario Kart, Eric (and the crew’s) Vault has the doors, and the energy, wide open.
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