Uncles Games – Great board game store

While I was in Seattle last week, playing Games with Hayden wasn’t the only time I spent around board games. It just so happened that there was a great game store within a block of my hotel in Redmond – Uncles Games.

I first became familiar with Uncles Games when we developed our family board game site in 2009. Around that time we were checking out numerous online stores that sold board games and card games and we can across Unclesgames.com.

So when I found an Uncles Games store next to my hotel, I had to get in there as soon as I had the chance. And when I walked through the doors, I found a great game store.

What makes a great game store?

Of course the first thing that makes a game store great is a wide selection of games – and Uncles Games definitely has that. You’re even able to notice how large of a selection of games they have even before you enter the store. Uncles Games in Redmond is located in the Redmond Town Center (an outdoor mall with plenty of shops and restaurants) and their store-front is all glass so you’re immediately hit with a bunch of games staring you in the face as you walk by.

The front window display presents a wide assortment of games to attract the attention of people with varying interests – family games, kid games, party games, classic games, strategy games, miniature games, and puzzles. Once inside the store, all the games are organized in an easy to find manner with many of the family friendly games near the front moving to heavier strategy games as you progress into the store.

The next thing that makes a great games store is simply the atmosphere. Does it feel welcoming and comfortable? Uncles Games is very clean, attractive, and inviting.

The other big thing that makes a game store great is the staff. Are the employees friendly and knowledgeable? After making my way into the store I was warmly greeted by the store manager – Nick May. He was very friendly and was happy to take me around his store and show me the wide variety of games and those that appealed to my interests. I also had some questions about some games that I’ve been debating about putting on my wish list and Nick and his associate were great to give me more information and opinions on the games. They definitely know their stuff and love games.

Uncles Games also had plenty of space in the store for actually playing games. Different nights of the week are dedicated to different game interests. So come on a Wednesday night and you’ll find a lot of miniatures gaming going on. Or come on Friday night for Open Gaming. Just grab a game from their open gaming shelf and sit down to play. It’s a fantastic way to try board games or card games that you may not have played before.

Stop by the Stores

If you’re ever in Redmond, WA, I suggest you stop by Uncles Games to grab a game or two. I picked up a couple card games while I was there – Guillotine and No Thanks!

Of course, Uncles Games also has a board game store in Bellevue, WA and 2 stores in Spokane, WA. So if you find yourselves nearby any of those locations, stop by the stores. And if you can’t get near Washington, then check out Uncles Games online.

Happy gaming!