Gamers Guild AZ - Tempe

Gamers Guild AZ - Tempe is a large local game store at 2223 S 48th St, Suite C/D, in Tempe, built around open play space and a stock that covers trading card games, board games, role playing games, tabletop miniatures and hobby supplies. It keeps long hours, and most items are priced 15% off MSRP every day. It suits players who want a place to sit and play without being pushed to buy, and shoppers who like card, board and miniatures gaming under one roof.

What's on the shelves

Ten card games are on the shelves: Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece Card Game, Disney Lorcana, Flesh and Blood, Digimon Card Game, Star Wars: Unlimited, Dragon Ball Super Card Game and Weiss Schwarz. Beyond cards, the store carries board games, role playing games, tabletop miniatures and hobby supplies, plus snacks that include imported flavors of chips.

Singles are bought and sold through the store. Pricing aims to compete with the online market, which is the reasoning behind the standing discount off MSRP.

Play space and amenities

Play is the store's center of gravity. The play area has sturdy tables and comfortable chairs, and miniatures players find a variety of terrain and playmat options. Table use is free with no requirement to buy anything and no requirement to leave during open hours in the designated open play areas. Free water, free Wi-Fi and a free game library are part of the setup. The library includes braille games for visually impaired players. Membership adds perks such as free play space, free library access over 300 titles, and free water.

Accessibility shapes the space. Tables, chairs and checkout areas are ADA compliant, and the store keeps free ear plugs, pronoun pins, feminine hygiene products and mints and sprays on hand. A code of conduct applies to everyone and is enforced, and the store is built around being a safe place for minors, LGBTQ people, people of color and women. The company that runs it is a Certified Neurodiverse Workplace accredited by IBCCES.

Private groups can rent Premium Gaming Rooms, either as a rental or as part of the membership program. These rooms are the only thing that can be reserved, since demand for regular play space is high.

Events

Events run every day of the week. Specific weekly formats and times are not part of what is confirmed here, so the store's event calendar is the place those details live.

Store policies

• Outside food and beverages are allowed, though the store encourages buying its own snacks and drinks.
• Pets are not allowed. Leashed and licensed service animals trained to aid a person with a disability are welcome, at management's discretion.
• Unopened products can be returned within 2 weeks of purchase with a 15% restocking fee, waived if the refund is taken as store credit. Trading card game products, including cases, displays, decks and packs, cannot be returned.
• Credit and debit purchases carry a $5 minimum.
• In-store pickup orders arrive from the warehouse within 24 hours and are held for 3 weeks. Orders not collected by then are cancelled and refunded, less a 15% restocking fee.
• Events may involve photography, and some publishers require photos for organized play support.

Buying and selling between customers is allowed only at the designated buy/sell table, and it must be arranged before arriving. Promoting or soliciting trades, sales or outside events on the premises without written permission from management is prohibited and can lead to removal from events or denial of future entry. The table also works as a safe meeting spot for meet-ups.

Hours and getting there

The store sits at 2223 S 48th St, Suite C/D, Tempe, AZ 85282.

The wider operation

Gamers Guild USA also runs a North Phoenix location at 1818 W Bell Rd, Suite 115. The company's Gamers Guild Premier Organized Play Services arm builds organized play programs for publishers.

The local scene

Several other card and game stores sit within a few miles. D20 Collective in Phoenix is about 1.1 miles away and Scientific Games International, also in Phoenix, is about 1.3 miles away. In Tempe, Ash Avenue Comics & Books is about 2.3 miles away, and Hobby Depot and Bussin’ Or Bustin’ Trading Card Lounge are each about 2.4 miles away.