GameStop Stores are Slowly Disappearing in Iowa

A once-ubiquitous video game retailer is getting increasingly difficult to find in Iowa, especially now that hundreds of locations have closed in the past two years amidst a handful of different factors.

I'm talking about GameStop, which used to be a titan in the gaming industry. For a lot of people, it was the only place where someone could purchase the latest video games, accessories, and consoles. I have some memories of spending close to an hour in one with my best friend back in high school. Those memories aren't so widespread amongst the new generation, whose consumer habits have evolved at a rapid pace.

READ MORE: Iowa Pizza Chain Hopes to Return After Abrupt Closings

GameStops are Rapidly Disappearing:

Per The Des Moines Register, hundreds of GameStop locations have started closing. The company announced they planned on closing "a significant number of additional stores" in the fiscal 2025, which ends on January 31st, 2026.

An unofficial BlogSpot website has been keeping track on the GameStop closings across America. At present, they list three in Iowa that have closed recently, but The Des Moines Register notes others, such as ones in Ames and Cedar Rapids.

What GameStops Have Closed in Iowa?:

Here are the GameStop locations that have recently closed in Iowa:

• Ames: 637 Lincoln Way #101
• Cedar Rapids: Lindale Mall
• Des Moines: 5126 SE 14th St. (?)
• Dubuque: Kennedy Mall
• Iowa City: 1011 Hwy. 1W
• Waterloo: 1515 Flammang Dr.

The Des Moines location has been closed every day of this week, save for Wednesday. Per The Des Moines Register, a manager at the store could not confirmed nor deny whether or not the store was formally closing.

How Many GameStops Remain in Iowa?:

Despite this swath of closings, over a dozen GameStop locations can still be found in Iowa. There are four in the Des Moines metro alone.

The reason for these closings is a handful of factors, ranging from the company's debt load to customers choosing to download games rather than buying physical copies:

The current consoles from Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft have facilitated download technology. If consumers’ preference for downloading video game content in lieu of physical software continues to increase, our business and financial performance may be adversely impacted - GameStop's statement on the closings, per The Des Moines Register

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Read more about GameStop closing multiple locations in Iowa and beyond on The Des Moines Register's website. View the unofficial list of closings here.