New to the area: DC

[StumpwaterJack]

They've always been quite helpful and nice to me. Hmmm...maybe it's the fact I've been a customer for over 20 years.

Well if this guy's got a time machine, he's in business

I'm sure people have had a variety of experiences there, but I'm not one who appreciates stores with three people chatting on stools behind the register with no one walking around seeing if customers need any assistance. Especially those such as myself, who recently had trouble getting $75 worth of Kalamar books to the register while carrying his infant. We'd been there for a half an hour, and the only thing I heard from anyone working there was "$75.49" from the clerk, said without breaking stride in his conversation about 40K with another clerk.

I've been in and out of the store (old and new locations) for five years, and nothing has ever made me want to return regularly. I think their effort in stocking a large variety of D20 material should be rewarded, so I drop by from time to time, but they're not my FLGS and from what I can tell they're ok with that.

SJ

 

[Storm Raven]

I vastly prefer the Game Parlor to Dream Wizards.

Yes, the Game Parlor does shrink wrap their books. Yes, that does bother some people. No, it does not bother me (I prefer my books in good condition, thank you). And, yes, it pretty much requires that your drive to get there.

But the store is nicer, the gaming area is huge, the staff is helpful, and generally, as a store, it is a well-run place. Essentially, the Game Parlor in many ways is the exact opposite pf your classic FLGS in presentation: it is well-lit, clean, has helpful staff, and lots of open area.

 

[TiQuinn]

Hi, everyone.

I've recently moved to DC and have been looking around for a gaming store or a gaming group. I've played Magic and LotR CCG's and several roleplaying formats. (D&D, AD&D, White Wolf, Rolemaster, GURPS, ...)

Does anyone have any advice on where I can go to meet the card- and game- players around DC? Right now I'm limited to using the Metro to get around, but I'm willing to hike or take a taxi to meet people.

Thanks for your time, everyone!
~Rialyn

Get on the DCRPG Yahoo message board, and post there. It's very active and I'm sure you'll find some folks near you pretty quick. As far as CCG go, if you can get down to the Game Parlor in Woodbridge, VA (probably a closer drive for you than Chantilly), every Saturday the tables are packed with folks playing Magic and other games. I'm not sure how much it would cost you, but you can take the Metro blue line down to Springfield and then take a taxi or the bus down to Woodbridge. I think it's about a 10 or 15 minute drive from the Metro station to the store.

Good luck!

 

[TiQuinn]

I vastly prefer the Game Parlor to Dream Wizards.

Yes, the Game Parlor does shrink wrap their books. Yes, that does bother some people. No, it does not bother me (I prefer my books in good condition, thank you). And, yes, it pretty much requires that your drive to get there.

But the store is nicer, the gaming area is huge, the staff is helpful, and generally, as a store, it is a well-run place. Essentially, the Game Parlor in many ways is the exact opposite pf your classic FLGS in presentation: it is well-lit, clean, has helpful staff, and lots of open area.

I'll second that. Plus if you ever want to look at something closer, the staff will open up the shrink wrap for you to check it out...no prob. Both stores are huge and very well maintained.

 

[Vaxalon]

I'm the listmaster for DCRPG and it warms the cockles of my heart to see that so many people have mentioned it.

I'm down here in Manassas, so I don't get to most of the stores, but for my money you can't beat Game Parlor. I LIKE the fact that they shrink-wrap, it means that every book you get there is in excellent condition. I ask them to open things all the time, and it's not a problem. There's plenty of staff, and you can always get service when need it. There are lots of game tables, and they host many, many events of various sorts. Their inventory is excellent.

The only, only downside is how hard it can be to get there.

 

[Psion]

I'm the listmaster for DCRPG and it warms the cockles of my heart to see that so many people have mentioned it.

Well, ever since it lost it's anti-D&D venom, it's not a bad list to be on.

I'm down here in Manassas, so I don't get to most of the stores, but for my money you can't beat Game Parlor. I LIKE the fact that they shrink-wrap, it means that every book you get there is in excellent condition.

I really have to ask: does shrinkwrapping really make that big a difference in the condition of a product? Does discouraging the thumb-through of a product really save that much wear and tear on it? I am having a hard time seeing it.

AFAIAC, the primary purpose of going to a game store instead of going online is the fact that you can thumb through it first. You discourage that, you are squandering the primary advantage that a brick-n-mortar store has over cheaper internet outlets.

 

[Verdigris]

If you are new to the DC metro area do yourself a favor: avoid Northern Virginia. It is a congested mess. I personally prefer the congested mess of Maryland. Plus, Maryland fought against slavery in the Civil War.

Of greater importance to this discussion, Maryland has Dream Wizards, which has all of the hallmarks of a great gaming store:

1. It is located in a shabby, hard-to-find strip mall.
2. It is staffed by hostile, smelly geeks in Metallica T-shirts.
3. It is patronized by hostile, smelly geeks in Metallica T-shirts (i.e. me)
4. Armand's pizza is right next door.
5. Nobody will act uppity when you show up, game for 36 hours straight, eat nothing but oreos, cheetos and pepsi, and then go home to your "girlfriend".

 

[kengar]

Well if this guy's got a time machine, he's in business

Not trying to be argumentative, but DW has been around for well over 20 years. First they were in the shops by Congressional Plaza, then they moved a few years ago to their current location. I've been buying from them since I was 11-12 years old (i'm 35 now).

 

[kengar]

If you are new to the DC metro area do yourself a favor: avoid Northern Virginia. It is a congested mess. I personally prefer the congested mess of Maryland. Plus, Maryland fought against slavery in the Civil War.

Of greater importance to this discussion, Maryland has Dream Wizards, which has all of the hallmarks of a great gaming store:

1. It is located in a shabby, hard-to-find strip mall.
2. It is staffed by hostile, smelly geeks in Metallica T-shirts.
3. It is patronized by hostile, smelly geeks in Metallica T-shirts (i.e. me)
4. Armand's pizza is right next door.
5. Nobody will act uppity when you show up, game for 36 hours straight, eat nothing but oreos, cheetos and pepsi, and then go home to your "girlfriend".

You're thinking of the old location. They haven't been there in 4-5 years or so.

re: the staff. I find that the only time they've seemed at all rude when I was around is when a card tournament is going on and they have to play "day care" to 50 rampaging 11-year olds. I tend to avoid the store on those days and go in during the week. As often as not, I have a great conversation with one of the staff, make my purchases and go.

 

[diaglo]

edit: removing politics.