Lancaster Just Press Play owner to open a megastore May 10, shares his story into the world of collecting

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 Suzette Wenger / LNP | LancasterOnline

Zachariah Gieg, Just Press Play owner, speaks with a reporter in a new building he acquired that was previously the Volleyball Corner in Lancaster on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. Gieg and his employee's will hold a large sale this weekend to help create more room that will enable them to organize the new space a bit better before opening next year.

Aired; March 21st, 2025.

In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, there’s a place for video game lovers, collectors, and pop culture lovers. Just Press Play, owned by Zac Geig, is more than just a video game store—it’s a tribute to decades of gaming history and a testament to the power of nostalgia.

Geig’s journey into the world of video games didn’t begin in a traditional way. As a kid, he wasn’t handed the latest consoles and games; instead, he had to get creative. “My mom said she wouldn’t buy them for me, so I had to figure out how to get them myself,” Geig recalls. His solution? Trading baseball cards for video games.

At just 12 years old, he swapped a stack of valuable cards for a friend’s Nintendo marking the beginning of a lifelong passion for collecting.

What began as a personal hobby soon evolved into a business venture. “I was living in Florida, doing flea markets and buying and selling from pawn shops,” Geig says. Upon returning to Pennsylvania, he saw an opportunity to take his expertise to the next level. By 2006, Just Press Play opened its doors, providing a space for gamers of all ages to relive their favorite childhood memories or discover retro classics for the first time.

Just Press Play has grown into more than just a video game retailer. The store now offers a variety of collectibles, including Pokémon cards, toys, comic books, and even Warhammer and Gundam model kits. “Basically, anything that falls under nerd culture—except it’s mainstream now,” Geig says. “You’re cool now, not an outcast.”

Why do people still seek out old-school cartridges and consoles in a world dominated by digital downloads and streaming? According to Geig, it all comes down to nostalgia. “There’s something powerful about playing the first Mario on NES and feeling the same excitement, you did as a kid,” he says. That emotional connection is what keeps people coming back, much like how vinyl records have surged in popularity despite the dominance of digital music.

Geig has big plans for the future. His ultimate goal? To open a megastore that houses not just a retail space but an expansive collection of gaming and pop culture memorabilia he has amassed over the years. “We want to bring together all these different Gen X collectibles under one roof,” he explains. From classic arcade cabinets to rare, high-end collectibles, the envisioned megastore would be a one-stop destination for enthusiasts.