Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Cormican.
Hi Robert, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
February 2021 is when we opened our doors at The Forge. It was a very small location not far from our current one. We quickly outgrew that and needed to move to a larger location. In September of 2021 we moved to our new and current place. About 3,000 square feet more space! We have been active in our community doing Farmers Markets, Vendor Events, Gaming Events and worked with the city of Chaska on community projects. We have been lucky enough to see many Magic the Gathering and Pokémon Events and many other games! We have some of the best miniature painters in Minnesota. Our Discord has thousands of members. We have a great crew here as well. Trent, Mason, Hurdis, Jacob, Lliam, Maddie and Cody. They each have their own separate skills to make us a great store! Long story short, being a part of this nerdy world has been a truly special experience and I hope to continue expanding and growing with our community.
The Bellows was started in May 2025 and we have not looked back. We try to make some of the most delicious food and drinks with fantastic ambiance! We are a Fantasy themed restaurant in Chaska. All of our employees are Dungeons and Dragons fans or Nerds in some way shape or form. We collaborate to come up with our menus and different themed dinners. Every day I feel as though I rolled a natural 20. We specialize in smash burgers and boba drinks. With some very cool potions (cocktails). Our head chef Alex Schmidt is our rock in the kitchen followed by Jarron, Dylan and Aiden. We have a great staff up front as well helmed by Dylana our Manager with Grayson, Brooklyn and many more. My wife Katharine makes the best chocolate cake!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We have struggled with our SAC charge with the Met Council and City of Chaska. We are trying to combine the two businesses There is a $150,000 fee. We are currently trying to contest it. Other than that it is normal ups and downs.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Forge – is a Game Store that focuses on gaming events. We host 130 person events from everything from Magic the Gathering, Loracana, Pokemon, One Piece and Star Wars Unlimited. We also host RTTs for Warhammer 40k and many other wargames. We are a community first business. We have a active Discord with thousands of members.
The Bellows Bistro – A fantasy themed restaurant that specializes in great food, cocktails and thematic ambiance. We also have themed dinners: such as Fallout, Star Wars, The Witcher and Bridgerton.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Playing Mage Knight with my friend Trent and his brother Gibson
Pricing:
- $119.99 One Piece Booster Box (The Forge)
- 10% off all Warhammer Product (The Forge)
- Come in Costume and get 10% off (The Bellows Bistro)
- Roll a D20 to see what shot you get (The Bellows Bistro)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theforgemn.com – www.thebellowsbistro.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theforgemn/ – https://www.instagram.com/thebellowsbistro/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheForgeMn – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572286160900
