Canton Games

Canton Games is a family-run local game store at 2101 Essex St in Baltimore, built around Magic: The Gathering, board games and Dungeons & Dragons. The shop is small and packs a lot into its space, with a regular schedule that runs from open board gaming on Saturdays to Magic drafts on Friday nights. It suits newer players looking for a welcoming table as much as longtime Magic regulars.

What's on the shelves

The store carries board games of all varieties, collectible card games, role-playing games, dice and retro video games. Shelf categories include family board and card games, strategy games, vintage video games and consoles, D&D miniatures and paints, and puzzles. Magic: The Gathering is the card game on the shelf, and Magic singles are sold by the card. If a mainstay title is out of stock, staff can order it.

The store also buys. Used video games, Magic cards and unplayed board games can be brought in and turned into cash, and the store has a written trade-in process and policies.

Weekly play

Entry to D&D and Sunday Commander comes with $5 back in store credit. The D&D nights run a waitlist, so expect to wait for a seat, and Friday drafts start at 7 PM sharp, with no players added once the event begins. Saturday open gaming lets players bring their own games or pull something off the demo wall, with staff happy to teach a new one. Dungeon Masters are frequently wanted as well.

Events

Upcoming dates on the calendar include a D&D learn-to-play one-shot night on November 4 from 6 PM to 9 PM, aimed at new adventurers. The Magic Star Trek prerelease begins November 6 with a session from 3 PM to 7 PM, the first chance to play with the new Star Trek cards, and continues November 7. Game Store Day 2026 follows on November 7 from 11 AM to 6 PM.

How the store runs

The house rules lean on welcome and fun. Everyone is welcome at the tables regardless of identity, and players who make the room unpleasant for others are banned. If a visit isn't fun for some reason, staff want to hear about it and put it right. Written codes of conduct cover players and Dungeon Masters. The regulars have a reputation for helping newer and younger players feel at home.

Hours and getting there

The store is at 2101 Essex St, Baltimore, MD 21231, and the space is tight, so weekend events and prereleases can fill it quickly.

The local scene

Rolling Games Mania is about 1.1 miles away in Baltimore, and Diamond Comic Dist is about 1.8 miles away.