Wizards & Blizzards
We’re big fans of local gaming shops and the communities they create. Our goal is to help you discover stores that might be a great fit for you — whether you’re looking for a new regular spot or visiting a city for the first time.
Each store report reflects a real visit, capturing what we saw, experienced, and enjoyed on that particular day. While every visit is just a snapshot in time, we hope these perspectives give you a helpful sense of what you might expect — and what you might love.
We’d love to publish more of these reports, and we need your help! If there’s a local game store you’d like to spotlight, we invite you to submit a review. Share your experience, and help others find their next great gaming community.
Minneapolis
Tower Games
3920 Nicollet Ave #150, Minneapolis, MN 55409
8645 Lyndale Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420
By Matt Raskin
Store Focus
Tower Games is my local shop, so fair warning, I'm biased. I love this place. It has been part of South Minneapolis since 2007, when John Redman, who came up at Phoenix Games himself, opened the first store on Nicollet, and it has since grown to two locations, the original in Minneapolis and a second in Bloomington. It still feels the way it always has: a real game store run by people who play games and want you playing too.
There is history baked into it. Tower picked up the torch from the old Minneapolis shops, the Little Tin Soldier and Phoenix Games over on Lake Street, and you can tell the place comes from somewhere. The selection is curated, not cavernous. You are not digging through a warehouse, you are looking at games someone on staff actually chose because they are good. And if you don't know what you want, just ask. Tell them what you are into and they will put the right thing in your hands.
Game Tables
The two stores play differently. The original Minneapolis shop is tighter on space. The tables are a little crammed, but they make it work, and there is almost always a game going.
The expanded Bloomington location is the real upgrade. It is a fantastic space with dedicated rooms set aside for play, so there is real room to spread out for tournaments, league nights, the youth D&D tables, and pickup games without anyone fighting for elbow room.
Event Schedule
For its size, the calendar stays busy. Magic tournaments and play, Pokémon League on Saturdays at 11, Star Wars: Unlimited, and open game nights through the week.
What I respect most is the youth side. The Youth D&D program has run for four years now and turned into an institution. In-house Dungeon Masters run month-long storylines for kids 8 to 13, two nights a week at each store (Tuesday and Wednesday in Minneapolis, Monday and Thursday in Bloomington), plus a separate Wednesday teen group for 14 to 17, tables capped at five so every kid actually gets to play. Add summer camps and a twice-a-year Dungeon Crawl and Tower is bringing up a whole new wave of gamers. As a parent and a gamer, that means a lot to me.
Food and Beverage Options
There is no café inside, but you won't go hungry. The Minneapolis store sits on Nicollet in the Kingfield neighborhood with good food all around it. The Bloomington store boasts plenty of options within a short drive. Grab something to eat and come back to your game, the store is open to outside food and drink while playing.
Facilities
The two locations have grown into very different spaces. The Minneapolis store is the original: smaller and a little cozy, packed tight but it works. It still has that lived-in neighborhood-shop feel. Bloomington is the expanded location, larger and newer, with separate rooms dedicated to play that make it the roomier and more comfortable of the two. Both are clean, well lit, and easy to browse, just at different scales.
Discounts/Pricing
Tower is not a discount warehouse and does not pretend to be. Prices run about what you would expect from a local shop, near MSRP on most things. You are not here to shave a few dollars off an online cart. You are paying for a real store with staff who know the games, a place to actually play them, and programs that keep the community going. For me, that trade is easy. Supporting a shop like this is the whole point.
Parking
Parking is the one place the two stores split. Bloomington has its own lot, so it is easy. The Minneapolis store on Nicollet does not have a dedicated lot, so you are parking on the street in Kingfield. It is usually fine, just be ready for a short walk on a busy night.
1835 10th Avenue SW Calgary, Alberta T3C 0K2, Canada
By Chris Sagers
Selection and Specialties: Broad and Deep With a Few Hidden Gems Plus 4d6 Metric Tonnes of Minis
Store Focus
The store’s selection is big and very general, with an inventory of about 35,000 unique items. Expect solid coverage in standard gaming categories. My personal impression is that the strength is in TTRPG products, and especially in minis. The place is like a few other stores out there—Madison’s Noble Knight comes to mind—that just grab mini painters when we walk in.
We know with supreme confidence that the momentary joy of our visit and our poor decisions will outweigh our inevitable regret, as we wander rows and rows of shameful gray plastic in wide-eyed disorientation, and know that we’ll blow cabbage we shouldn’t on minis that we definitely, definitely, definitely will probably paint.
The store has offerings wide and deep in RPG materials, board games, and wargames. While the Sentry Box proper does not carry TCGs, a separate business called Sentry Box Cards is housed on the north side of the building that specializes in them.
One Sentry Box strength that is a bit out of the ordinary is a substantial nerd-centric books department, which features fantasy and sci fi fiction as well as books about gaming. Long-time Calgarians report the book department as one of the store’s most special features in its earlier years.
The store has a few hidden gems that are hard to find elsewhere. It carries some harder to find miniature game books (for example from Osprey), miniatures (from Wargames Atlantic and Northstar Miniatures), a section devoted to indie RPGs, and a collection of historical board games, from makers like GMT, Compass, and Decision Games. The store also buys and sells used video games, RPGs, and Games Workshop minis.
Overview of store
The Sentry Box is a large, beautifully appointed store revered by gamers throughout western Canada. A devoted local community calls the store home and makes it a center of social activity, free-play gaming, and organized play. The outstanding staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and gaming-oriented. The store’s location near downtown Calgary is in easy reach of Cow Town’s fun social and retail life.
Founded in the 1970s, The Sentry Box has been run by current owner Gord Johansen for nearly fifty years and is undergoing management transition to his daughter Bronwyn. Lore has it that the “Box” of the name refers to the original location’s tiny size, but the Sentry Box has called itself the “World’s Largest Game Store” since the 1994 construction of a 13,000 square-foot space. More of this history and the store’s cultural footprint turn up in a reasonably fun, hour-long promotional documentary that’s been screened at GenCon and other prominent venues (or check out a couple of shorter clips, both of which are pretty darling and nostalgic).
Game Tables, Play Space and Event Schedule
The store’s main play spaces are an upper mezzanine that overlooks the store and a back room with 20 tables, including wargaming tables, tables for board games, and special spaces for up to 8 players. During prime-time hours, the place is positively bustling. The store’s events calendar is packed with activities every day, and the store also reserves some space for informal, drop-in gaming. Staff told me that evenings and weekends usually see 40-50 players in the upstairs space and sometimes as many as 60 to 80. In addition to live gaming events, the store hosts instructional mini painting events and other seminars. Tables are available on a first come first serve basis but you can also reserve tables ahead of time through their website for $5/table.
As for the store’s community of gamers, everyone I talked to stressed diversity. There is no obvious concentration of younger or older gamers and no strong bias toward wargames, card games, RPGs, or otherwise.
Staff
As for the staff, a sense for how much they seem to love the place came through in this nice discussion I found on the store’s Facebook page. You’re probably in good hands when a staffer thinks the best part of their job is:
I don’t think they said those things there just because their boss might be watching. Their enthusiasm fairly exudes when you talk with them or ask their help, and that’s been my impression of the many staffers I’ve met during every visit
Parking
Plentiful and free
900 West Alameda Avenue Burbank, CA 91506
By Amy Pearson
Role playing games, miniature war games, card games, board games, tea, cat rescue (!)
Overview of store
My friends and family in the greater Los Angeles area have been singing the praises of this game shop in the valley for years and I have shopped at their previous location before. However, that did not prepare me for Geeky Teas’ new facility in Burbank. Holy Cow! This place has not only expanded its footprint, but it has completely upended its focus, with live play space taking front and center. Of the stores I’ve visited lately that purport to be stores and not venues, this one has the most tables of them all. More on that later.
The store and the inventory have also grown with the expanded footprint. The RPG section is quite large, with all your usual suspects plus some locally published books. The miniature section was very big and our resident Warhammer 40K expert (or pusher) found us several boxes that are sold out elsewhere. Maybe the Warhammer fans in the Valley aren’t as rabid as the players in the Twin Cities but we found great stuff. Board games and card games are also both exceptionally represented in the shop portion of Geeky Teas. I’ll also mention that the store seems to have a healthy connection to the Critical Role/ Darrington Press crew that means you can find lots of CR and Daggerheart resources and merch here. You’ll find terrain, dice, mats and painting supplies in abundance here as well.
One thing I love about visiting shops around the US and abroad is that almost every store has its own little kink depending on what the owners are into. This one is no exception. There are indeed dried loose teas to brew at home at the front of the store, along side candles and other locally produced artisanal wares. I was happy to tuck my matchbox guaranteed to summon fire elementals into my spell book for future reference. In addition, they apparently run a cat rescue out of the store. Staff said there are two resident shop cats but we couldn’t find them. We did see an adorable batch of kittens in the gated off cat rescue area that they were fostering.
Game Tables and Play Space
The game tables at Geeky Teas is totally the standout for this reviewer. There are so many tables I lost count. I’ll break it down:
There is a big room for card games, decorated with your Pokemon and Magic fans in mind, with around 12 tables seating about 60 players. There are also 4-6 private rooms that are decorated for our card players.
Around the corner were about 10 tables in the center of a board game library. The library is open for use and the tables could be reserved.
The next space I discovered was a dedicated wargaming space, the rusted halls housing a dozen Warhammer dimension tables. These tables were taller, with stools and there was terrain available to run your battles. Next door was a dedicated painting space with light, ventilation and other hobby supplies.
I finally made my way to the RPG section of the play where I found hallways filled with themed private rooms - I found the starship Enterprise, the Shire, the faewild and more. This is obviously a labor of love for the nerds at Geeky Teas and the rooms are really well done. On the website, they list about 15 rooms with at least 6 seats each available for rent.
In LA, where ‘close’ is a 20 minute drive away and adventuring parties are scattered across a huge metro area, this play space in easily accessible Burbank seems like a godsend.
Event Schedule
So how do I get to play in this wonderland you may ask? I asked the staff the same question and was directed to chat with staff when in store, call, or go to Discord or Facebook to reserve a table. Further investigation revealed that if you go to play without reserving a private room, it costs $8/player for a table. Digging through the Discord revealed that you could also reserve a private room for $50/ half day, dividing up each business day into two parts. The fees seem very reasonable for the service provided and while communication isn’t centralized, it doesn’t seem hard to make a reservation for your party.
The store also hosts some organized play that is published on their website, https://www.geekyteasandgames.com/events including the usual Pokemon, Magic, Star Wars and more for both kids and adults. They also facilitate game finding on their Discord if you are looking for a party to play your favorite game.
The store also boasts a 95 person venue called the Teapot.
Food and Beverage Options
Food and Bev is where Geeky Teas & Games becomes a little weird. I don’t know the logic behind this - nor did any of my friends or family - but outside food and beverages are strictly forbidden in all the play spaces. In fact, they have a surveillance network monitoring all the play areas including the private rooms, presumably to enforce rules which seem pretty relaxed except for the food and bev restrictions. Not unreasonable if the store sold decent refreshments, but Geeky Teas has a sad rack of candy and chips at the front with a small cooler of beverages and that is it. The teas are not even brewed on site so if you were hoping for tea with your game, you’re out of luck. Maybe it’s a local zoning thing or other municipal rules that makes this restriction so critical. I hate to think it’s abuse of facilities since I’ve seen players respect spaces and games at most of the stores I’ve visited when it comes to messiness. For whatever reason, it’s the one downside to gaming at this otherwise perfect location.
Parking
We drove into Geeky Teas and were able to park easily in the neighborhood. There is also a parking lot with some spaces. A Thursday morning probably isn’t prime time and it may be busier on the weekends.
NYC
Twenty Sided
280 Grand Street Brooklyn, NY 11211 Williamsburg
By Jessica Doody
Tabletop Role Playing Games, Card Games, Board Games
Store Focus
This shop is a neighborhood hub for connecting and supplying gaming enthusiasts and newcomers as well. Their inventory is split between RPGs and board games with other card games and gaming related merchandise. They also have a section devoted to Magic: the Gathering as well as one with miniatures and painting supplies. They support local RPG zine authors, lifestyle goods makers, and sponsor a variety of regular events.
Overview of store
We noticed Twenty Sided while planning a day exploring its charming neighborhood in the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn, New York City. We ended up arriving shortly after opening, and stepped into a relatively cozy yet light filled space. The shop is sandwiched between other storefronts on a characterful commercial block, with large windows across the front and an engaging array of display shelves leading to a small gaming area in the back with even more windows. The warm and cozy feel was expanded upon by the welcome we received from the shop employee, Alex. It was the same feeling we get when stopping by our local shop at home. Because they had only just opened for the day, we had the place to ourselves and Alex was able to spend some time with us showing us around the shop, answering our questions, and filling us in on the local gaming scene. He started by asking us what we were into so he could point us in the right direction, and we easily found plenty of mutual interests to chat about. As first time out-of-town visitors we were especially interested in some of the more locally focused offerings including a wide array of zines and modules written and illustrated by local creators and some of the other handmade products they carried. They had a small section with gaming themed candles, soaps, candies (edible dice!), and stationery items. We had no trouble filling our shopping basket with exciting finds that we discovered there for the first time. It was clear to us that this shop really believed in supporting their community of gamers and creatives through both the retail part of the shop, as well as the events that bring folks into the store to connect in real life.
Game Tables & Play Space
Twenty Sided is not a huge sprawling shop, however they do have a few tables at the back as well as a separate event room where they accommodate events and private parties. They offer a selection of snacks and beverages and have a game library for folks to use.
Event schedule
The store's array of events is listed in a well-organized section of their website, found here: https://twentysidedstore.com/collections/events. There is a link to a calendar as well as opportunities to register directly. We also saw signs advertising the upcoming events in the shop. Even as a visitor, I would feel comfortable joining in for a workshop while in town.
Event Calendar
Twenty Sided offers a wide range of events to help create connections from quick RPG side quests to board game nights to Magic: the Gathering gatherings to workshops for improving your skills in writing adventures, painting miniatures, running games, and more. When Alex heard that one of our interests was Shadowdark, he was excited to share that the shop had actually provided the space and opportunity for the author to playtest early versions of the game, as she lived in the area at the time.
Before long, other customers started filtering in, and we noticed they received the same warm welcome as we did, whether they were recognized regulars or new faces like us. Though we were not from the area, their efforts to create a vibrant local community made it a really interesting and unique destination for us. We were very impressed with their huge variety of RPGs, from big main brands to smaller indie games and of course the super small local stuff. It felt like this very modestly-sized shop had something for everyone. Aside from the shop itself, the immediate neighborhood expanded upon our experience of the destination. There were really interesting shops of all kinds, including an analog media shop full of discs, tapes, and records, as well as a horror book store/cafe on the same block. If you go, we also highly recommend the pizza place around the block called L'Industrie. If you can't make it to the shop in Brooklyn, try their online store to access the fun local finds and have them shipped to your doorstep. Additionally, you can join their active Discord community to connect from anywhere at any time.
Food and Beverage Options
We were told that there were snacks and beverages back by the gaming tables, but we did not investigate so I am not sure about price or variety. We also did not think to ask about bringing in outside food and beverages. There are a huge variety of restaurants in the immediate vicinity, including the pizza place we mentioned (L'Industrie), the horror bookstore/cafe three doors up that is popular with staff and customers, and many others.
Parking
We saw street parking but we ourselves arrived via subway from Manhattan, where we were staying. We took the L train to the Bedford stop and with a quick walk were there in just over 20 minutes, door to door. Easy peasy. The main page of the website provides some location information, but I'm not sure if they have dedicated off-street parking in back or not.
Summary
This shop is a gem in the Williamsburg neighborhood and well worth a stop if you are local or just happen to find yourself in the neighborhood. You won't find a huge warehouse with every game under the sun, but you will find a comfortable space with a well curated and surprising variety of the things you already love next to the unique things you are about to see for the first time. For a destination, it's no superstore - but if you consider the shop to be just a part of a visit to the larger Williamsburg neighborhood, that along with the welcoming experience, makes it worth going out of your way. Bottom line, if you're in NYC: grab some dice, grab a slice, it'll be nice.
Los Angeles
Games & Grounds
21727 Devonshire St., Chatsworth, CA. 91311
By Dinah McLean
Tabletop Role Playing Games, Card Games, Tabletop War Games, Board Games, Other: Books, minis, dice, paint, nerdy gifts. Overall focus on board games.
Game & Grounds feels more like a cafe or gathering place than a store, with ample tables and seating areas for gamers to gather, eat, drink, and play. That said, they offer an extensive library of board games to play on site, as well as a broad range of new and classic games for sale. In addition to board games they offer a small selection of card games like Magic or Lorcana, and a small library of RPG books to support local dungeon crawlers. They also offer a small amount of minis, paints and supplies--just enough to either get someone started or help them paint something on site, I reckon. In addition to all of this, they also have a selection of cute gifts like stickers, mugs & candles for your favorite gamer, often locally-made.
Game Tables & Play Space
Every table here is a play space! They don't take reservations for tables, so when you roll in with a party of 7 like we often do, it can be tricky to secure a place. That said, they have quite a few tables and we've always lucked out. They also don't charge to rent a table here because they are also a cafe, and patrons are generally happy to enjoy items off the menu while rolling dice.
Event Schedule
There are so many events here at any given time! Details are on their website: https://gamengrounds.com/event-list/
Food and Beverage Options
Game & Grounds has a full cafe with outstanding coffees and teas as well as a selection of beers, ciders, meads, and wines. No traditional soft drinks are available, but you're welcome to try an organic soda if that's more your speed. Food here is wee bit pricey, but as someone who's been gaming here for years, we've moved around this menu quite a bit, and most of the options are really tasty. Best thing on the menu: the Bard's Latte, hot or iced. Delicious!
Parking
There are two (2) parking spots for this place behind the store. Everyone else parks on the street, and it's generally pretty easy to find.
Summary
Game & Grounds is a fantastic community space for gamers in the LA area. (Note: Chatsworth might seem a little far north, but it IS in LA County, and it's proven to be a pretty decent meet-in-the-middle location for a party coming in from all over town.) The staff is helpful and friendly, most of the clientele are fellow gamers, and the vibes are positive and fun. Whether you're shopping, hoping to try a new board game with friends, or this is your regular party meeting spot like it is for us, Game & Grounds is happy to welcome you in to sit for awhile with a tasty beverage in your hand and, hopefully, a little luck in your pocket.
Saint Petersburg
Critical Hit Games
11270 4th St N #218, St. Petersburg, FL 33716
By Matt Raskin
Critical Hit Games is an incredible amount of gaming compressed into a single store, and the focus is unmistakable from the moment you walk in. This is a tabletop shop built around play. They have been at it since 2014, and you can feel that maturity in how the space is laid out. The room itself tells you everything. Most of the square footage is allocated to tables, not retail, and the store's whole personality flows out of that one decision.
The play focus shapes what they carry. They lean into four core worlds - Warhammer and Games Workshop, Magic: The Gathering, Pokemon TCG and Gundam Models (Gunpla).
Around those pillars, they fold in a deep board game collection, the newer TCGs like Disney Lorcana and Star Wars Unlimited, and a serious hobby and painting setup. What's awesome is how much of the hobby they fit into the space without losing focus. The selection is thoughtful and none of it crowds out the play space. Everything earns its spot.
That balance between store and play space is the thing that stuck with me most - Critical Hit threaded the needle. They have everything that matters, but made a clear choice to put their time, space, and allocation toward giving people somewhere to actually play. They are also open until 11PM every night.
The staff backed it up. They were warm, they were genuinely excited to be there, and the store was busy when I visited. That combination, a clear focus, a smart selection, and a team that cares, is what makes this shop worth the trip.
Game Tables & Play Space
This store has a real focus on bringing community together to play. There are about 10 tables set up, and the official capacity is around 80 people, so the play space is doing real work. The setups range from Warhammer miniature tables to a dedicated painting and hobby area, plus two flexible spaces that can host any type of tabletop game. You can also see the thoughtful treatments throughout, like acoustic balancing in the room and great digital signage.
Event Schedule
There's something every day of the week, and the schedule is really balanced across the store's communities:
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Monday: Magic: The Gathering
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Tuesday: Other TCGs, including Pokemon, Gundam, and some other really cool stuff
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Wednesday: Board Game Night and Star Wars Unlimited
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Thursday: Warhammer and Riftbound
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Friday: Magic
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Saturday: Warhammer special events
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Sunday: RPG day, Adventurers League, and Star Wars Unlimited
The schedule blends, but the core of the store really shows in the anchors. Magic owns Monday and Friday, and Warhammer owns Saturday. Those three days tell you what this place is built around, and everything else fills in the community around them.
Discounts/ Pricing
Overall, the pricing seemed really fair and on par with what you would expect at any sort of tabletop or gaming store. They did have a bin where they had some slightly discounted items. Overall, super fair, and again, for the size, they had an incredible selection of different hobbying resources, tools, and goodies.
Facilities
Overall, the facilities are really great. The inside is a bit compressed, but it's intentional as the whole design is built around playing. It feels good to walk in and know every choice was made in service of the games happening on the tables. Out front, there's a nice little porch area to hang out, which gives you some breathing room even when the store itself is using every square foot. In the back, they have a library of board games you can take down and play. Overall, really, really great.
Food and Beverage Options
Critical Hit has all the slight rations you'd need for adventuring. Sodas, beverages, snacks, the kind of fuel that keeps a session going. They don't carry a ton of food in store, but that doesn't really matter because of where they're located. Within a couple hundred yards you've got bakeries, pizza, and just about any restaurant option you could want. If you need a real meal, you can go get one. If you just need a quick snack between rounds, the store has you covered. It's a great balance.
Parking
There are no parking issues. You could bring all of your friends and all your friends' friends and even all your friends' friends' friends' friends, and you would still have space to park. Zero issue, super awesome, makes it so you can not have to rush or worry about getting in or getting out.
Cleveland
Recess Games
26636 Brookpark Rd Ext., North Olmsted, OH 44070
By Chris Sagers
Store focus:
Founded in 1992 and operated for more than thirty years by James and Susan Grasso, Recess Games is Ohio’s largest game-store location.
Recess is a general interest store with many thousands of products in inventory for boardgames, wargames, tabletop RPGs, TCGs, miniatures and terrain. While its offerings are broad and deep, the store has a particular focus on board games, reflecting the Grassos’ own passion. The store stocks more than 5000 individual board game titles.
Recess carries thousands of tabletop RPG titles and support products, and stocks all major TCGs. The store also boasts a substantial selection of RPG and wargaming miniatures, emphasizing Warhammer miniatures and Citadel art supplies.
Online sales are available, with shipping to the U.S. and Canada or in-store pick-up.
There are a few limits on the store’s otherwise broad offerings. Recess does not buy or sell individual TCG cards. It does not carry wargame rulebooks, GW terrain, or much other pre-made terrain, but does stock Warhammer tournament sets
Game Tables & Play Space
The store’s large staff rave about the place, their bosses, and their jobs. They are mostly long-termers, the most senior having worked there for ten years. They are each dedicated and knowledgeable gamers, and I found them super-friendly and eager to chat.
The store anchors a vibrant gaming community on Cleveland’s suburban West Side. It boasts huge play spaces, with 72 seats-worth of open play space, a dedicated wargaming room with oversized tables, and private gaming rooms for rent. These spaces see heavy use. The store’s events calendar lists typically a half-dozen or more events for every day the store is open.
When I visited on one ordinary weekday afternoon, the open-play room was packed with a regularly scheduled MTG Commander meet-up, while several wargame bouts were underway in the wargaming room. The place was bustling and upbeat, but not all noisy or chaotic.
Private rooms are also available for rent, and the store runs a monthly membership program with access to the private rooms and after-hours access through a secure entry.
Staffers described the community as all-ages and family-friendly, with some variation by event and game-type. Board gamers lean toward a young-adult crowd, TCGs lean younger, and RPGs and wargames a little older. The community overall is casual, chill, and welcoming.
Facilities
Recess is in North Olmstead, a Cleveland suburb on the city’s West Side, just off a major highway and about twenty minutes from Cleveland town center. Recess has occupied its current space for thirteen years, a beautiful, recently refurbished retail space of nearly 10,000 square feet with a huge showroom and plentiful play space. The store is a regional hub and anchors a vibrant community of gamers in West Side Cleveland.
Parking
Plenty of free, onsite parking.
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Denver
Wizard’s Chest
451 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
By Amy Pearson
Store focus:
Toys, puzzles, costumes, role playing games, board games, miniature wargames, card games, escape room, party supplies
A quick drive by The Wizard’s Chest let’s you know that this place is a destination, not just a store. The exterior is festooned with murals and sculpture promising a magical time. Established in 1983, the Wizard’s Chest has grown over the years into 16,000 square feet of fun with both a wizard at the doorway and giant treasure chest in the interior entrance. Locals may know it as the place to go for Halloween costumes and they wouldn’t be wrong. A good part of the top floor is taken up with costumes, accessories, wigs and makeup (including elf ears). I love that the Wizard’s Chest doesn’t mind just following its heart and putting together a place that speaks to the passions and interests of the owners. A game/ costume shop? Why not!
The basement houses puzzles, hobby supplies, role playing games, card games, puzzles and more. There’s a decent Games Workshop selection and gaming supplies I haven’t seen other places. I picked up game themed wrapping that will be a great surprise for my nerdy friends. The game section includes a selection of social games like supplies for a murder mystery party. The usual gaming supplies asre well represented and the other nerdy treasures are a bonus.
Game Tables & Play Space
The game room in the basement at The Wizard’s Chest houses six tables that were busy but not full on a Saturday afternoon. Upstairs near the board games there were several high top tables where new games were out to try. Their website notes that staff are often available to teach new games to patrons as well.
Events Schedule
The event schedule on the website is busy but not overwhelming with Pokemon, Magic and D&D on the docket. The basement game room seems to double as an escape room but I’m not sure how that is scheduled.
Food & Beverage
Snacks and sodas were available in the basement by the game room. I would check with staff to see if other outside food is welcome.
Facilities
The Wizard’s Chest is magic. Murals and sculptures are all over the place, including a couple nerdy wayfinding signs pointing the way to Narnia and Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. The store is two tall stories, and the stairs are gradual and awesomely painted. But don’t worry if your friend in a chair or scooter wants to play D & D in the basement – they’ve built an amazing ramp between levels that is not only on a gradual slope but also decorated on par with a line at Disneyland. Watch out for dinosaurs!
Parking
Broadway is a pretty busy street and there are lots of cool shops and restaurants in this neighborhood. There is on and off street parking that make this a destination worth hitting next time you’re in the Mile High City. Kids and grandparents alike have had fun here and this nerd makes a stop every time I’m in town.
Seattle
Blue Highway Games
2203 Queen Anne Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98109
By Amy Pearson
Store focus:
Blue Highway Games is a friendly neighborhood game store nestled in the lovely Queen Anne neighborhood in Seattle. While the space isn’t huge, it has a little bit of everything for the family that games together. We visited during the day on a weekday and the store was mostly inhabited by parents and kids. Blue Highway seems to lean into puzzles and family games – I enjoyed browsing the cool jigsaw puzzles, small trick puzzles and unusual board games.
The store had a smaller selection of role playing games and minis but you could get some books, dice and paints and they do host some RPG events. Similarly, card games are represented with Magic the Gathering, Star Wars, and Pokemon on the docket plus some single card sales. The store buys and sells used board games as well so there is room for trying new games.
Game Tables & Play Space
Blue Highway boasts a good sized games library and ten tables for guests to drop in and play on the main level and in a loft space above. We had an impromptu game of Ticket to Ride at an open table and I noticed the wooden table we chose had built in card holder slots. What a nice touch! The store has a clear policy on using open tables, including for birthdays, but does not reserve out tables.
Events Schedule
The online event schedule is pretty thin and seems limited to learn to play sessions for new games. However, a board outside the shop shared a daily schedule of events and themes for a two-week period.
Food & Beverage
Blue Highway offers snacks, sodas and beers for sale and is ok with guests bringing in outside food as long as games and spaces are kept tidy
Parking
Parking was easy in the neighborhood which was bustling but not too crowded.
Final Thoughts
Overall Blue Highway Games was a very friendly shop and when I call it cute, I mean that in the best possible way. It has a little bit of everything for hardcore gamers in the neighborhood but it really shines for families. Get your little gamers in here and get them started young!
Chicagoland
Chicagoland Games: Dice Dojo
5550 North Broadway Chicago, IL 60640
By Amy Pearson
Store Focus
Board games, card games (especially Magic: The Gathering), Warhammer, RPGs
On a recent visit to Chicago, we stopped by Chicagoland Games: Dice Dojo on Broadway and found a true community hub for tabletop gaming. The store is a generously sized space divided into several distinct zones, making it easy to navigate based on your interests while still feeling full of discovery.
Entering the shop, you’re greeted by an expansive wall of board games, with shelves packed with everything from the latest releases to well-loved family classics. The selection feels both broad and accessible, offering something for casual players and hobbyists alike. The Warhammer section is also a standout, with a solid range of miniatures alongside paint and modeling supplies. Role-playing games round out this retail area, including offerings from major publishers as well as smaller, local zine creators—giving the space a nice balance of mainstream and indie appeal. (I even stumbled across a Shadowrun-themed Munchkin game I didn’t know existed, which was a fun surprise.)
The main floor also includes a dedicated gaming area with around a dozen tables and a card-focused section, largely centered on Magic: The Gathering. One of the most impressive features of the store is its board game library—advertised as the largest in the Midwest—which customers can borrow from and play on-site. This adds a welcoming, low-barrier way for people to try new games and join in.
Downstairs, there’s a dedicated Warhammer play space with numerous regulation-sized tables and an impressive amount of terrain. The setup suggests a strong and active miniatures community, and the space itself has a lived-in, well-loved feel—like many memorable battles have taken place there. We also noticed shelves of painted armies; while it wasn’t immediately clear whether these belonged to players or were available for use, they added to the immersive atmosphere.
Game Tables & Play Space
Approximately 20 tables total across the main floor and basement, supporting a wide range of play styles and group sizes.
Events Schedule
The store hosts a variety of organized play and community events. Staff mentioned that Wednesday nights are dedicated to board games, while many upstairs tables are frequently used for Magic events. One small challenge is that event information is split across multiple websites, which can make it a bit harder to find at first:
· Online store: https://chicagolandgames.company.site
· Events page: https://www.chicagolandgames.com/events
Once located, however, the schedule reflects an active and engaged community. Staff also noted that table availability can vary depending on scheduled events, so there are multiple ways to connect with other players.
Food & Beverage
The store appeared friendly to food and beverages at the tables, though it’s always a good idea to confirm with staff.
Facilities & Atmosphere
The space is well-utilized and organized into clear sections, with a strong emphasis on play areas. The basement Warhammer zone is especially distinctive and adds depth to the overall experience.
Parking
Parking was easy during our visit, and the store is also conveniently located along a major bus route, making it accessible by public transit.
Final Thoughts
Chicagoland Games: Dice Dojo feels like a cornerstone of the local gaming community. The breadth of inventory, extensive play space, and especially the large board game library make it an inviting place for both newcomers and experienced players.
This shop is a Chicago mainstay that has put a ton of effort into building not only a kickass store, but also a super active gaming community. I’ll be back next time I’m in town and if I were new in town and looking to game, I’d definitely give it a try. It seems welcoming and made by and for people who love to game. Happy we stopped here and super happy with the treasure I found!
Chicagoland
Games Plus
101 West Prospect Ave., Mount Prospect, IL
By Amy Pearson
After hearing about Games Plus at Gen Con and other conventions—and picking up a few modules from them along the way—we made a dedicated pilgrimage from downtown Chicago out to Mount Prospect to see it for ourselves. From the moment we arrived, it was clear this store has earned its reputation.
The exterior is fairly unassuming, but stepping inside reveals a densely packed and thoughtfully organized space filled with tabletop treasures. Shelves and racks are stocked with an impressive range of products: books, miniatures, board games, dice, terrain, hobby supplies, and collectibles. Despite the sheer volume, the layout makes it possible to browse with intention—or simply wander and discover.
One of the standout aspects of Games Plus is its depth of inventory, especially for RPG players. While the store carries current releases, it also features a remarkable selection of vintage, used, and collectible materials. This creates a true “treasure hunt” experience—you might come in for something specific and leave with a rare module or an unexpected find. We came across vintage Dungeons & Dragons materials and hard-to-find books at fair prices, which added to the sense that this is a store built by and for enthusiasts.
RPGs appear to be the heart of the shop, with deep collections across multiple systems including Mothership, Mörk Borg, Basic D&D, and Shadowrun. Most items—both new and vintage—are individually wrapped, helping preserve their condition. Alongside books, there’s a strong selection of accessories like dice, DM screens, and play aids. If you’re looking for something niche or out of print, this is the kind of place where you might actually find it.
That said, other categories are well represented too. The Warhammer section includes 40K, Age of Sigmar, and related novels, while the board game selection is broad and varied. Card games like Magic: The Gathering are also available. Additionally, the store carries a wide range of gaming accessories—such as mini storage, terrain, and maps—that aren’t always easy to find in physical retail spaces.
Games Plus has been around for over 40 years, and that history shows. Their twice-yearly auctions, where patrons can sell gaming items, likely contribute to the rich mix of pre-owned and collectible inventory. There’s a sense that the store is not just a retailer, but a steward of gaming history and community knowledge.
Store Focus & Game Selection
RPGs, board games, miniature war games, card games, terrain, collectibles
Game Tables & Play Space
Approximately a dozen tables are available in a dedicated side room. The space is open to patrons and has a distinctive atmosphere—complete with taxidermied creatures overlooking the room—that adds to the sense of personality and history.
Events Schedule
Games Plus publishes a monthly event schedule on their website, featuring activities like Magic: The Gathering, Battletech, mini painting, and more. In addition to scheduled events, tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis, offering flexibility for casual play.
Food & Beverage
Soda and snacks are available for purchase. The store appears to welcome responsible food and drink at the tables, with an emphasis on community care—patrons are expected to help keep the space clean and in good condition, and that culture seems to work.
Parking
The storefront can be easy to miss at a glance, but the surrounding neighborhood is pleasant and parking is generally accessible on the street. It’s a manageable destination trip from Chicago and well worth the visit.
Final Thoughts
To me, Games Plus lives up to its reputation as an “important” game store. More than just a retail space, it feels like a cornerstone of the tabletop community—a place where history, expertise, and enthusiasm come together. The store’s extensive inventory and deep RPG focus make it especially appealing for collectors and dedicated hobbyists, while its welcoming atmosphere and play space provide entry points for newer gamers as well.
It may take a bit of time to fully explore everything the store has to offer, but that’s part of the charm. Whether you visit in person, catch them at conventions, or browse their online offerings, Games Plus stands out as a place that meaningfully contributes to what a friendly local game store can be: a hub for discovery, connection, and a shared love of gaming.
Seattle
Mox Boarding House
Seattle, WA
5105 Leary Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
By Chip Pearson
Walking into Mox Boarding House in Seattle feels like stepping into a space built by gamers, for gamers. The vibe is immediate and unmistakable — this is a place that celebrates tabletop culture in all its forms.
Store Focus & Game Selection
Mox does an impressive job covering the “big four” of in-person gaming: Tabletop RPGs, Wargames, Card Games, and Board Games. What stood out right away is how balanced everything feels. Each genre has its own dedicated play space, and those spaces are stocked with the books, models, terrain, and accessories you need to jump in.
The RPG section featured a broad range of titles, including many indie options you don’t always see on shelves. The wargaming area was especially strong, with a deep selection of Games Workshop miniatures that rivals standalone GW retail stores. It’s clear that each community is intentionally supported here.
Game Tables & Play Space
There are at least 25 tables spread throughout the shop, with specialized rooms and alcoves for different gaming styles. The wargaming room includes regulation-size tables with terrain stored conveniently underneath — a thoughtful touch that makes setting up 40k, Age of Sigmar, or Old World games easy and efficient.
Beyond the specialized rooms, there’s plenty of open seating throughout the store. We visited on a Friday evening around dinner time, and most tables were full — always a good sign. Despite the crowd, the space didn’t feel cramped. The store has clearly sacrificed some retail square footage to prioritize play space, and it shows.
An added bonus: there are additional tables in the restaurant and bar area where you can game while enjoying food and drinks.
Events & Community
The event schedule is robust and well-balanced. Recurring Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon events anchor the calendar, but you’ll also find board game nights, painting meetups, multiple RPG campaigns, and Learn to Play Warhammer 40k sessions.
Most days feature at least one event, and some days host four or five. The store is clearly designed to handle that level of activity. If you’re new to organized play or looking to expand into a new genre, this is the kind of place that makes it easy to find an entry point.
You can find the event calendar here: https://www.moxboardinghouse.com/pages/seattle-events
Food & Beverage
One of Mox’s biggest differentiators is the full-service restaurant and bar. We met a colleague for dinner and enjoyed local craft beers, cocktails, and a solid menu. While the selection isn’t massive, it’s thoughtfully curated and includes good allergen labeling along with gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. Prices run a bit higher than what we’re used to in the Midwest, but having quality food and drinks integrated into the gaming experience is a real asset.
One important note: food and drinks appeared to be restricted to the bar area. Because of Washington State law, guests under 21 are not permitted in that space. We didn’t realize that could affect mixed-age groups when we made plans to meet our friend. Fortunately, our 16-year-old son stayed at the hotel, but this could be a consideration for families or mixed parties planning a meal. Policies may vary by location, so it’s worth checking ahead.
You can find the Seattle menu here:
Facilities & Atmosphere
The atmosphere deserves special mention. From the themed layout of each gaming area to the lampshades decorated with (hopefully reproduced!) pages from classic game systems, the details reflect genuine love for the hobby. It’s the kind of subtle design choice that longtime gamers instantly appreciate.
The staff were friendly and professional, and even with a busy crowd, everything felt organized and welcoming.
Parking
Being located in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood means street parking can be competitive, especially on a Friday evening when nearby bars and restaurants are busy. It took us about 8–10 minutes to find a pay ramp at the Olympic Athletic Center. When we returned early Saturday afternoon, street parking was much easier to find. As with many urban locations, timing makes a difference.
Final Thoughts
Wow — I genuinely wish we had a place like this in our town.
Mox Boarding House elevates the concept of a game store into something closer to a full community hub. With expansive play space, balanced support across gaming genres, a packed event calendar, and the addition of a restaurant and bar, it creates an experience that goes beyond retail.
There’s a real buzz in the air from so many people coming together to play. Whether you’re a longtime hobbyist or someone working up the courage to attend your first event, this is a space that feels ready to welcome you.
Mox also has locations in Bellevue, WA; Portland, OR; and Chandler, AZ. After visiting, I’ve seen what the “next level” of game store experience looks like — and I hope more communities get to enjoy something like this soon.
Seattle
Phoenix Comics & Games
Seattle, WA
113 Broadway East, Seattle, WA 98102
By Amy Pearson
Store Focus & Game Selection
Comics, RPGs, Magic: The Gathering
Phoenix Comics & Games sits in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood and reflects the area’s vibrant, queer-forward, community-centered culture. The shop clearly skews toward a younger crowd and takes a thoughtful, cautious approach to illness prevention—masks were readily available, which may feel especially welcoming to customers who appreciate extra health-conscious practices.
The staff was friendly, approachable, and knowledgeable about the inventory. We spoke with a team member who is an official Magic judge and was preparing for that evening’s games, which reinforced the sense that organized play is a core part of the store’s identity.
Inventory is on the smaller side, but it feels intentionally curated. Indie games and zines are particularly well represented, as are queer comics and independent publications. Customers looking for mainstream or large-format selections—such as extensive Warhammer or Dungeons & Dragons stock—may find fewer options here, but what is available feels thoughtfully chosen rather than filler. The comic section follows a similar pattern: not expansive, but focused and reflective of the store’s community values.
Magic: The Gathering appears to be the strongest pillar of the store’s programming. The event calendar (posted both in-store and online) features regular organized play, and our Friday evening visit showed multiple open tables available for casual play. The space felt active without being overcrowded.
Game Tables & Play Space
Eight tables are available for in-store play, offering solid capacity for both scheduled events and open gaming.
Events & Community
The February schedule included organized play for Magic: The Gathering (including Commander), Pathfinder, queer board game nights, furry board gaming, KeyForge, and mini painting. The range of events highlights the store’s commitment to fostering inclusive, niche-friendly gaming communities.
Food & Beverage
There are limited in-store food and beverage options, but the shop is conveniently located next door to Dick’s Drive-In. The atmosphere appeared friendly to tabletop snacks, though it would be wise to confirm specific policies with staff.
Facilities & Atmosphere
The space is relatively small and straightforward in layout, but clean and functional. It feels newer (though that may not be the case), and the number of available tables makes good use of the square footage.
Parking
Dedicated parking is available alongside the store, which is a significant advantage in Capitol Hill, where street parking can be limited.
Final Thoughts
Phoenix Comics & Games offers a curated, community-driven experience with a strong emphasis on inclusivity and organized play—especially for Magic: The Gathering. While the retail selection isn’t extensive in every category, the store’s personality, event programming, and welcoming atmosphere make it a good fit for players looking for a socially engaged, indie-friendly gaming space.