Third Rock Games

Third Rock Games is a small, family-owned game shop at 11401 N Government Way in Hayden, Idaho, stocked around Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon alongside board games, tabletop RPGs, miniatures and paints. The owners work the floor, stock the shelves and choose what to order, so a visit means talking to the people who run the place. It suits first-timers and lifelong hobbyists who want advice from someone who actually plays, and Warhammer painters and builders will find plenty to look at.

What's on the shelves

Trading card games are the headline for this audience: Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon both have a place on the shelves, and the shop is a spot to pick up a couple of packs to rip. Beyond cards, the store carries board games, card games, tabletop RPGs, miniatures, paints, tools, dice and other gaming accessories, plus hobby books.

Warhammer is a large part of the miniatures side. The range runs across Warhammer 40K, Age of Sigmar, The Horus Heresy, Blood Bowl, Warhammer: The Old World and Necromunda, with Space Marines, Orks and Chaos Space Marines kits among the stock. Warhammer 40K products are discounted 15% off the regular price. The shop is an authorized retailer for every product line it carries, and the stock is genuine product from official distribution channels.

When something is not on the shelf, the owners will try to get it for you. They lean toward matching you with a game you will actually play rather than just moving product, with a nod to sealed collectors, who are welcome to leave their purchases unopened.

Buying and shipping

Third Rock Games also sells online, with the same service and hobby knowledge as the counter. Orders ship within one business day, and the same day when placed before noon Pacific time. Orders over $75 ship free to the contiguous 48 states; smaller orders ship at a flat $8.00. Shipping covers the contiguous US, Alaska, Hawaii and US territories, with rates for Alaska and Hawaii calculated by order weight. There is no international shipping. Payment options include all major credit cards, Shop Pay and PayPal.

Store policies

Unopened, factory-sealed items can be returned within 30 days for a full refund. Customers cover return shipping, which is deducted from the refund through a prepaid label, except for defective items, damaged items or shipping errors, which are returned free. Refunds are approved within one business day of the item arriving back in new, unopened condition. Preorders and expedited shipping are both planned but not yet available.

History and ownership

The shop is a trade name of Rocky Mountain Distributing LLC, a family-owned business that has served Idaho for over 20 years. The Hayden shop grew out of that background, opened by owners who love games and the people who play them and who wanted a home base for browsing, asking questions and meeting other players.

The local scene

Hayden sits next to Coeur d'Alene, where several game and comic stores are within a short drive. Strategy & Games is about 3.1 miles away, Worthy Comics about 4.1 miles, Thunder Games about 4.3 miles, Lightning Comics about 5 miles and Game World about 5.1 miles.