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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Maerdwyn" data-source="post: 13671" data-attributes="member: 835">Sounds like a good idea to me <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /> Here's my evaluation of Bay Area, CA stores:San Francisco:Gamescape San Francisco333 Divisadero St.San Francisco, CA 94117(415) 621-4263Pros: Great selection, good sized used section, in store gaming.Cons: few discounts, used section is invariably expensive compared to other area stores, including the other Gamescapes.  Staff is somewhat indifferent, IMHO. Parking is tough.Peninsula:Gator Games & Hobby4212 Olympic AveSan Mateo CA 94587650-571-PLAY(7529)<a href="http://www.gatorgames.com" target="_blank">http://www.gatorgames.com</a>Gator Games is, as stated above, my favorite of the whole area, and is located in San Mateo on the Peninsula.  Pros:  Great Selection, well informed staff, constant discounts, twice-weekly game nights, lots of parking and the owner is a great person who will work to find anything you're looking for.  Cons: no dedicated in-store gaming space, used section is somewhat small (but cheap!)Gamescape Palo Alto465 S. California Ave.Palo Alto, CA 94306(650) 322-4263Home of my first campaign when I moved to the area, I have a soft spot for this store. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />Pros:  A good selection, a decent and inexpensive, but shrinking, used section.  In Store gaming, with lots of terrain avalable for use.  Staff is friendly and helpful. Adequate parking.Cons:  few discounts, staff is Very RPG oriented, and not all that helpful with miniatures games or board games, in my experience.North Bay:Gamescape1225 4th StSan Rafael, CA 94901(415) 457-8698Nice, well organized store.  Pros:  In-Store gaming, very good selection, painting classes, excellent used section, with reasonable prices (except of 1e hardbacks).  Cons:  Few discounts, staff is well informed but no overly helpful IMHO, hard to get a parking space sometimes.Ian's Games301 Georgia St #A12Vallejo, CA 94590(707) 552-7127Nice sized store in an ugly pink building.pros:  Good selection, especially of older RPG's; entire store is always on sale, usually 15%(GW 10% off), some items deeply discounted; Some Used stuff; Ian is very helpfu, plentiful free parking.  Cons:  Only Open Fridys (2-6)and Saturdays (8-5)East Bay:Epic Worlds Castro Valley BlvdCastro Vally, CA USA 510-733-2585 Small store, with a very good used section.  They usually have a booth at area cons.pros:  Used section is huge.  In store gaming.cons:  hours are irregular - call before going. Selection is limited for everything except GW.  Staff is only marginally helpful.  Used section is huge, but very expensive.Games of Berkeley:Large store in downtown Berkeley.  I basically echo eveyone else's comments about GoB.Scenario Game and Hobby37120 Fremont Blvd. Fremont CA 94536510-792-9333<a href="http://www.scenariogame.com/" target="_blank">http://www.scenariogame.com/</a>Really large store thant's been around for decades, but whaich was taken over by eminent domain and will be demolished to make room for a mall.<img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f621.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":mad:" title="Mad    :mad:"  data-smilie="4"data-shortname=":mad:" /> Pros:  Massive selection of all things hobby and scouting  related.  Had a whole bunch of old school minis (T'Char the dragon, anyone?) until I bought most of them <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" />.  Really large instore gaming room.  Helpful owners, dedicated to the hobby.Cons:  They may re-open in the new mall, they may not.<img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f641.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":(" title="Frown    :("  data-smilie="3"data-shortname=":(" /> South BayNeutral GroundSan Antonio PlazaMountain View, CAPros:  Great in-store gaming, good GW selection.  Right next to San Antonio Hobby Shop, where I buy all my terain-making supplies, paint, and brushes.Cons:  RPG selection isn't great, and has been shrinking.D&J HOBBIES & CRAFTS16 SAN THOMAS AQUINO RDCAMPBELL CA 95008Pros:  Another really massive store, dedicated not just to gaming, but to RC cars, model trains, and general crafts.Pros:  Good selection, Only place in the bay area to get Old Glory and Foundry Miniatures in any quantity, as far as I know.  Usually there are several 30% off bins near the front of the store.  Lots of parking   Cons:  Staff is hit or miss (especially in the gaming dept.), few discounts on current stuff. Minis are all behind glass doors, and not all that organized, making it a bit hard to browse.There are other stores in the area, but these are the ones I visit enough to comment on. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />Edit: Added my comments on Neutral Ground, after being reminded by Gizzard.</blockquote>

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