Monkey Llama Games, LLC

Monkey Llama Games is a family-oriented game store at 154 Kent Street in downtown Portland, Michigan. It sells board games, puzzles, trading cards, miniatures and adventure products, and pairs the shelves with free gaming tables, hosted events and bookable birthday parties. The store suits families looking for a game night, newcomers who want help learning a hobby, and Warhammer 40,000 players in mid-Michigan who need a place to play.

What's on the shelves

The store stocks board games, puzzles, trading cards and miniatures. Pokémon is the card game it carries. The miniatures side leans on Warhammer 40,000 and BattleTech: the catalog includes a Codex for the T'au, plus BattleTech mercenary bundles priced at $99.97 and $64.98. Handcrafted wooden chess sets are also sold, one at a regular price of $150 and a sale price of $125, and an autumn sale marks down select games and accessories. Terrain and mats are available for miniatures players.

Free tables and Warhammer play

The gaming tables are free to use any time the store is open. Players bring their own game, and no purchase or table fee is required. Warhammer 40,000 is the focus of the in-store play program, and the community around it helps newer players learn the rules, build a first army and pick up painting tips. The hosted events are a good way to meet players and find an opponent. The store also keeps a game library, available for $10.

Events

No fixed weekly schedule is established, but the calendar is varied and tends toward story-driven and social events. Recent and upcoming listings include:

• Storyforge Sundays, a recurring Sunday series whose latest saga begins October 25
• The Dead King's Crown, a murder mystery at the store with two sessions, 12 PM and 4 PM, on Saturday, October 24
• The Harvest Moon Won't Set, a ticketed event on Saturday, October 31, from noon to 3 PM
• Quest & Rest Monday, a recurring Monday series with 6 PM and 8 PM sessions
• Miniature Painting Monday, a recurring Monday session for painters
• Seasonal one-offs such as Mom's Day Off and an Alice in Wonderland Tea Party

Several of these run on multiple dates, so the same format returns across the season.

Parties and bookings

The store books private parties in its space. Birthday parties start at $149 and come in three themes: board games, Dungeons & Dragons and Pokémon. An office Christmas party package is $349. Parties are booked online.

Getting there

The store is at 154 Kent Street, Portland, MI 48875, in the downtown area.

The local scene

Portland sits within reach of several other hobby stores. T&T Trading, Inc. is about 9 miles away in Grand Ledge, and Man Cave Sports Cards and Collectibles is about 10.9 miles away in Ionia. Also in Grand Ledge, about 11.3 miles out, are The Portal Games, Comics, and Gifts, Revival Collectibles and Homebrew Tabletop Game Lounge.