Recommend a FLGS

[Lord Liaden]

I've seen quite a few of our fellow posters lament that they would like to find a Friendly Local Game Store in their area to patronize, but have trouble finding someone who is actually friendly, not to mention knowledgeable, and either willing or able to order the games they're looking for. I thought it might be beneficial if those of us who have found a good store in our area would list those places in one spot that someone on the quest could refer to.

For the Greater Toronto Area, my recommendation would be The Hairy Tarantula Comics and Games, on the west side of Yonge Street about two and a half blocks north of the Eaton Centre. It's one of those little hole-in-the-wall walkups that you can pass right by if you're not watchful, but inside you'll find a wide selection of new and used games for sale or trade, and a helpful, generally knowledgeable staff. They're among the enlightened who have carried every Hero Games product since FREd first came out, and keep most of them in stock.

[tengu]

If you happen to be in the area of Worcester, MA, the place to check out is That's Entertainment. Mostly a comic shop with sports collectibles, but they do get most of the new gaming materials that gets published. Best thing about this place: anything off the shelf is 15% off. If you have to special order something, you get 25% off. You can see why I frequent this store.

In northern Virginia, specifically in Chantilly, there's The Game Parlour. They have space to play games, and PCs for computer gaming. Their stock is quite extensive. However, you can't flip through a book to see if you like it or not -- they have everything shrink-wrapped. So if you go there, you better know for sure if you want it or not.

Another shop in Worcester MA is called Gameboro. It's all right, nothing truly special. The staff there is friendly enough though. I've gone in there to pick up a lot of stuff for Hackmaster, but I usually just go in there to see if something is out, and then go order it at That's Entertainment.

If anyone wants to know how to get to the shops in Worcester, let me know.

[Bartman]

In the greater Denver area, it is hard not to love Black and Read. They have 20% off all roleplaying games and have carried a solid stock of all Hero stuff. In fact the last time I went in I picked up Millenium City and found Enemies: International File and Hudson City Blues in their used section to boot. By the time you add in aisles of used DVDs, new/used comics, books and CDs, I have a hard time walking out with my budget intact.

[Captain Obvious]

On Oahu, I suggest Jellies in Pearl City. They've got a fair selection of 5th Ed Hero Games as well as other games that might be good for source material (d20, Warhammer, various others). They also carry used games, books, CDs, vinyl records, comics etc etc. Lots of good stuff in there....

However, I'm not on Oahu any more. If anyone knows of a really good store in SE Arizona, I'd appreciate it....

[Jhamin]

In the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, The Source is pretty much everything you could ever ask for in a FLGS. They carry pretty much everything that is current in RPGs, Comics, and Miniatures. They also have a fairly good DVD anime section & regularly hold special events.

The whole place is clean, organized, well lit, and the staff is friendly and helpful.

[Tom McCarthy]

In Ottawa, I recommend Fandom II about 4 blocks south of the Parliament buildings on Laurier, west of the canal and City Hall. They keep the best range of products in stock of anyone in the city. Sadly, their distributor has somehow dropped the ball on Millennium City; something I hope they'll correct soon.

Silver Snail, a few blocks further south and west on Bank St., focuses more on comics and toys, but usually has one of each Hero product on the shelves.

[Tasha]

In the Southbay/Pennisula region of the San Francisco Bay area. I would heartedly recommend Gator Games. The owner is a RPGer and is really interested in what she sells. The staff is very knowledgable and very helpful. She carries just about every RPG product that you would ever want. She has a resonable selection of Boardgames.
Also her Games workshop selection is as good or better than the Games Workshop store in the SF Metreon. This is mostly due to her having older product as well as the newest stuff.
There is a rather complete section of Reaper Minis. She has just placed her first order for Conflict minis.
She also has a fairly good collection of vintage gaming stuff. She buys old games for store credit so you may be able to find some gems that you are missing from your collection.
If you cannot find what you are looking for, she will order it for you.
There are always sales going on so it is a good idea to get on her emailing list. The list also includes industry news and upcomming releases.

The store is located in south San Mateo and I found it fairly easy to get to from just about anywhere in the Bay Area.

Tasha

[SuperPheemy]

My FLGS in the Sacramento area would be Great Escape Games. Big store, good selection, and a nice big gaming room. There's even partitians so tabletop games can have a bit of privacy when the wargamers are fielding their armies.

[Blue]

Locally, in the Orange County, California area...

• Brookhurst Hobbies - on Brookhurst in Garden Grove. They've been around since I was a kid and have a GREAT selection of miniatures (Reaper, Vamp wars, CAV, Superfigs, etc.). Lots of games you haven't seen in eons, disorganized and in Bins. Their new books come in a little slow. In fact, the next game store I'm going to list gets them in about a week faster...
• Game Castle - At State College & Chapman, just south of Cal State Fullerton in Fullerton. Best organized local store, and typically have their prices slightly cheaper than the suggested retail. Small selection of miniatures.
• All-Star Games - On Diamond Bar blvd in Diamond Bar. Technically this is L.A. County, but it's five minutes from Fullerton O.C. Some back stock. Neat and organized. Knowledgable help.

I'm sure there are more that I'm forgetting, but these are the ones I've been in recently (searching for an old Game that's out of print...with no luck).
Edit: I Knew there'd be more

• Mile High Comics - Harbor Blvd in Garden Grove. Really a comics and memorabilia place, they still have a bunch of tables where one can game and a limited amount of RPG stuff.

[Killer Shrike]

Originally posted by SuperPheemy
My FLGS in the Sacramento area would be Great Escape Games. Big store, good selection, and a nice big gaming room. There's even partitians so tabletop games can have a bit of privacy when the wargamers are fielding their armies.

Hey, quick question, does a big tattooed Russian named Vlad ever play Warhammer there? If he does, tell him Ed says hi

[PowerMavin]

Riverside, off Madison Ave

Adventure's Guild
Nice place. Very good selection as far as I could tell with some older stuff in the bargain bin. About 10 tables to play with including a large back area neatly sectioned off from the rest of humanity. The front area is mostly RPGs with the walls covered in minis. The employees are knowledgable, social and friendly. Warning, athough it is a good game shop the main patrons are Warhammer junkies and the owner is really into historical minis. Thus, this is mostly a wargame store.

What I found funny is the "geek elitest" dynamic that goes on in the store. Although the employees a careful not to get into the situation there seems to be almost a caste system among the customers: Warhammer > Clix > CCGs > RPGs

Maybe I am reading too much into it...

[ChaosDrgn]

In Dallas I'd have to say either Gamer's Chest in Valley View mall or Lone Star - Dallas.

Sometimes the staff makes me wonder but it's amazing that a city the size of dallas, the game stores are a little on the thin side.

[TheEmerged]

Anybody got a recommendation for SW Ohio/Cincinnati area I don't know about? Because the only FLGS around here I know about is neither F nor L (for me anyway) and just barely G (they *definitely* play favorites with products).

[Celtic Cowboy]

Denver Metro Area

West Side
Black & Read are great. Always a good discount on new stuff - 20% I think. One of the best selections of used stuff anywhere.

East Side
Has to be Attactix. No everyday discounts - but one of the best selections in town.

[JohnOSpencer]

In the Baltimore area i'd have to suggest Games, and Comics...and Stuff!. They carry a wide selection of everything and have a friendly and knowledgeable staff. They also have a great deal of open gaming area.

John Spencer