New Gaming Center Opens in Selma, Boosts Downtown Social Scene

Atrie’s Gaming Center opened its doors on December 2, marking the arrival of a dedicated gaming and hobby space in downtown Selma. Owned by Andres Manzo, the center began with a soft launch in late November and formalized operations with the early December opening. The space includes a trading card and collectible wall, multiple tabletop game tables, a gaming lounge equipped with several PS5 and other console setups available by the hour, by the day or through membership plans, and a small arcade area featuring classic machines.

Manzo designed the center to give residents a local place to play and socialize without traveling to Fresno or other cities. Early customer turnout during the initial weeks has signaled demand among teens, young adults and families who had previously had to leave the city for hobby shops and gaming cafes. Plans are in place for tournaments and collaboration with other Valley shops for inter city events, and a formal grand opening is scheduled for January.

For Fresno County and Selma, the center represents both a community amenity and a modest economic opportunity. By retaining entertainment spending locally the venue can reduce leakages to larger neighboring cities, and membership based pricing offers a predictable revenue stream that can support weekday foot traffic. Tournaments and inter city events can draw players from beyond Selma, creating spillover benefits for nearby restaurants and retailers in downtown streets that are seeking more consistent visitor flow.

Beyond immediate economic effects, the center speaks to broader trends in social recreation. Community gaming spaces can serve as sites for social interaction, structured leisure and informal peer support, which local advocates link with mental health benefits. For city planners and local business groups the arrival of Atrie’s suggests potential gains from supporting small entertainment enterprises, including flexible zoning, streamlined permitting and coordinated downtown event calendars.

Atrie’s Gaming Center will continue to refine offerings through membership packages and scheduled events leading up to the January grand opening, as owner Andres Manzo works to build a regional network of players and partner shops across the Valley. The opening adds a new option for Selma residents seeking locally based recreation and nightlife.