[Vacation] Trip to Toronto, good gaming stores?

[DWARF]

Hey all,
Taking a vacation to Toronto for 2 weeks pretty soon here. Just wondering if someone could point out any of the good gaming stores in town. Or, anything else you figure I should see while I'm there.

Thanks a lot!

 

[Algolei]

Toronto?! Good lord!! Don't go there, it's a heathen place! Seriously, whenever someone wants to compare their hometown to the worst place they can think of, they compare it to Toronto!! "You people drive like Torontonians!" "You're so rude you must be from Toronto!" "This place makes Toronto look normal!"

*sigh*

I think there's a place, can't remember the name of it, but the address is 401 Yonge St. :\

There's also Red Nails II, 18-A Jane St., York, ON M6S 3Y2.

And Ontario Collectibles & Gaming Inc. sounds promising. They're at 618 Gordon Baker Road, North York, ON M2H 3B4.

But I can't recommend any of those places because I've never been to Toronto. Nope. Not me. Never.

 

[Akrasia]

HAIRY TARANTULA. On Yonge Street (not sure if it is the same place mentioned by Algolei, but it is south, near the old Eaton's Centre, and it is on the second floor).

Lots of out of print stuff. And everything in print.

Great place.

 

[MrFilthyIke]

Great place.

Hell, I'd shop there because it's called HAIRY "FRICKIN'" TARANTULA!!

 

[Cor Azer]

The Hairy T is not the same place as 401 Convenience. The Hairy T is a couple of blocks (south?) of The 401.

Myself, I like The 401 a bit better. Hairy T has slightly more eclectic stock, but in my experience their prices are higher and the employees never seem to know what's going on.

There's also Grey Region (I believe also on Yonge St), but it's a bit more of a computer gaming cafe with some RPG stuff in the back (and it tends to smell... funky).

Silver Snail (dunno the address) is good for collectible stuff as far as I recall.

I can't say much more than that, but if someone with a Community Supporter account is willing to help, I recall a pretty decent thread on FLGS in various Canadian cities several months ago (late last summer/early fall). If it can be found, it'd have a few entries for TO.

 

[Akrasia]

The Hairy T is not the same place as 401 Convenience. The Hairy T is a couple of blocks (south?) of The 401..

Okay, I know what you are talking about now.

401 only has the 'big names' IIRC. Hairy T actually has stuff by Eden and smaller companies.

And lots of great OOP stuff. I picked up a number of the old Gazeteers there less than a year ago (for, like $14 CND each).

In other words, the 'Magic crowd' hangs out at 401 (which is why I found it creepy to enter).
But the 30+ dudes with briefcases stink up the Hairy T.

There's also Grey Region (I believe also on Yonge St), but it's a bit more of a computer gaming cafe with some RPG stuff in the back (and it tends to smell... funky).

Actually, that place had some really great OOP stuff a couple of years ago. ICE Middle-earth modules, Planescape, etc.

Silver Snail (dunno the address) is good for collectible stuff as far as I recall.

It is no good anymore. :\

 

[Cor Azer]

Okay, I know what you are talking about now.

401 only has the 'big names' IIRC. Hairy T actually has stuff by Eden and smaller companies.

Yeah, that's fairly accurate. That's why, the few times I bought stuff in TO, I went to 401 for mainstream stuff and Hairy T for the other stuff.

And lots of great OOP stuff. I picked up a number of the old Gazeteers there less than a year ago (for, like $14 CND each).

If you're lucky about which employee is working. I swear I've had a few who hadn't heard of such occult things as Dungeons and Dragons.

In other words, the 'Magic crowd' hangs out at 401 (which is why I found it creepy to enter). But the 30+ dudes with briefcases stink up the Hairy T.

Ah... see. I don't go into the back rooms at Hairy T. And I try to arrange my visits to 401 to be during school hours, minimizing the kid factor.

Actually, that place had some really great OOP stuff a couple of years ago. ICE Middle-earth modules, Planescape, etc.

Possible, I just couldn't stomach the place for long to find out.

It is no good anymore. :\

I've never been; just going on others tales.

 

[Akrasia]

Well I am certainly not going to defend the Hairy Tarantula at length. I only go there 1-2 times every year. But I've always been pleased when I did go there (got a sweet deal on BUFFY as well as the GAZ stuff last time).

In any case, given that 401 and HT are, like, 1 block away from each other, it is obviously worthwhile for DWARF to visit both.

 

[Jack of Shadows]

The Hairy T is your best bet for selection. 401 Collectables (formerly 401 Convenience) has slightl better prices but their selection on RPGs is minimal and you literally have to climb through the mass of smelly kids their playing CCGs to get to them. The Silver Snail is a great store for everything BUT RPGs.

A word to the wise, the Hairy T is a little difficult to find. Go north on Yonge St. from Dundas. It's on the West side. Look for a store called The Heade Shoppe. Right next to it you find an entry with stairs going up. Go up the stairs. The walls will be covered in animee posters and cut-up X-men comics. Gently push open the door on your lefthand side. It sticks sometimes so don't be afraid to shove it a little if necessary. Just be careful as the new arrivals rack is right behind the door and there tends to be someone standing there.

Survival lessons for the Hairy T. The owner is crazy and a conspiracy nut. Turn your cellphone off and don't use it while you're in the store. Don't ask why. Just trust me on this. Yes, the store manager is a transvestite. Try not to get into a conversation with him or you'll be there all day. The store clerk may make weird noises. You get used to it (well maybe not). If you want to look at the minis just ask them at the desk. The minis room is behind the desk and you'll need directions. Beyond that just try to ignore the "organic" smoke smell and you should be OK.

Jack

 

[Algolei]

401 Convenience

Now how could I not remember the name even though I knew the address?

BTW, it's my birthday today. I'm this old: IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

[singing] "It's my birthday, my buh-buh-buh-birthday...." [/singing]