GAMPworks reimagines the card shop at New York Pokémon store
Local studio GAMPworks has completed the Poké Court flagship store in New York, a shop dedicated to trading and selling Pokémon cards that centres around a tiled bar-top where visitors buy, unwrap decks, and connect.
Poké Court is located in Manhattan's Meatpacking District and combines influences from New York City, the card game's Japanese origins and sports to create a space imbued with "warmth, programmatic diversity, and a sense of play".
The shop is contained in a long, narrow footprint that still displays vestiges of the neighbourhood's industrial heritage, including soaring ceilings and exposed ductwork.
Custom maple millwork display units and a skirt of dark green subway tiles runs throughout the retail floor, while the back section is dedicated to a staff and VIP lounge wrapped in dark walnut wood.
According to GAMPworks founders Priscilla Auyeung and Maxine Gao, the studio sought to combine successful design elements from a previous Poké Court location with a welcoming environment that would spark curiosity for even those "unfamiliar with Pokémon".
"The client's first store was a small rented office that functioned much like a traditional card shop, catering to a dedicated customer base and making use of plastic or metal displays and darker palettes," the studio told Dezeen.
"While it was already successful, the flagship aimed to go bigger and bolder. We kept what worked – varied product displays and a sense of abundance – while creating a space that welcomed a broader audience without diluting the experience for serious collectors."
The duo also placed a large Pack Bar at the "heart" of the store, a concept also carried over from a previous Poké Court pop-up that "proved hugely popular".
Visitors "order" a pack, and a staff member or "packtender" retrieves and delivers it to the guest.
The Pack Bar stretches out along the centre of the space and is backed by rows of card packs concealed behind a glass display case. Illuminated, vintage-styled signage borders the area, while three pendant lights hang above and resemble red Poké Balls.
The area is completed with brass details, such as coat hooks and foot rail, while brass wall sconces carry throughout the store.
According to Auyeung and Gao, the bar's rounded shape was partially informed by the counters from Pokémon centres found in the video games.
"We designed a Pack Bar that transforms the store into more than a transactional space – it's a place to hang out, engage with staff, and meet fellow Pokémon fans," said the team.
The duo also paid homage to the "inherent sense of sport" in Pokémon by lining the store with wood flooring and mosaic floor tiles to evoke the motifs and feel of a basketball court.
"The sports court concept was a playful nod to the 'court' in Poké Court, while also referencing the competitive spirit of Pokémon battles."
The back of the store contains a subded lounge, which is wrapped in walnut millwork and a dark green lime wash paint.
Details, such as a washi-paper light pendant and shuriken-inspired brass grille on the cabinet, give "subtle" nods to Japan.
"We aimed for subtle nods rather than overt references, incorporating Japanese principles such as layered textures, natural materials, and refined craftsmanship," said Auyeung and Gao.
According to the studio, the project was conceptualised by a group of friends who sought to reimagine the card shop experience.
"The project emerges through a group of friends who come together to reimagine the card shop experience, setting out to create an elevated, immersive environment that resonates with both longtime collectors and a new generation discovering the Pokémon world," said the studio.
Pokémon card collecting has seen a recent growth in popularity, with "some cards now treated like fine jewelry or luxury-brand purses" according to Auyeung and Gao, while others seek out specific artwork or characters.
Shortly after opening, the store underwent an armed robbery, where assailants entered and smashed the glass casing to grab merchandise. Poké Court issued a statement on Instagram clarifying that everyone was "physically safe" after the event.
Auyeung and Gao said the shop will restore the glass "with some technical tweaks".
GAMPworks was founded in 2025 by Priscilla Auyeung and Maxine Gao. Based in New York City, the studio "explores architecture, interiors, furniture, and everything in between".
The photography is by Erik Bernstein
Project credits:
Interior design: GAMPworks (Priscilla Auyeung & Maxine Gao)
Graphic design: Lauren Sun
General contractor: Reidy Contracting Group
Architect of record: Kushner Studios
Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing (MEP): All City Engineering
Lighting design: The SEED
Acoustics: Bourdeau Acoustical Design
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