Uncle's Games Puzzles & More

Uncle's Games Puzzles & More is a board game, puzzle and trading card shop in the Spokane Valley Mall in Spokane Valley, Washington, just off I-90. It suits families, puzzlers and casual tabletop players first, with Magic: The Gathering as the card game it carries. The shop is one of three locations in a regional chain that has been running since 1999.

What's on the shelves

The Spokane Valley store carries the largest selection of jigsaw puzzles, board games, playing cards, party games, dominoes and chess in the valley. Cards are a part of the mix rather than the whole identity: single cards for Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon and Lorcana are sold online at competitive prices, and Magic singles are the line the shop leans on most. A Magic player looking for a specific card has an option here, though the store is better understood as a general games shop that happens to sell cards than as a dedicated card room.

Events

The store hosts events, but no recurring weekly tournament night or sanctioned organized-play program is confirmed for this location. The mall's closing time shapes the schedule: it shuts at 8 PM Monday through Saturday, and no one can enter the store after 8 PM. Events that begin before 8 PM keep running until at least 9 PM. The company also runs an online community for events, casual gaming and hanging out between visits.

Store policies

Returns are accepted within 30 days of purchase. Items must be unused, in their original condition and packaging, and accompanied by a receipt or proof of purchase. Sale items cannot be refunded, and gift cards are non-returnable. Every location offers curbside pickup: place the order by phone, then follow the pickup instructions for that store. Shipping orders go out from the Downtown Spokane store, so purchases from the Spokane Valley shop are handled by pickup or in person, and calling ahead is wise because stock quantities are never promised.

Hours and getting there

The store sits just off I-90, which makes it an easy stop for shoppers coming from Liberty Lake and North Idaho.

History

The company formed in Spokane in 1999 and has since grown across Washington. Today it operates stores at the Redmond Town Center, the Spokane Valley Mall, and the Liberty Building in Downtown Spokane. A Bellevue location closed in 2021.

The local scene

Several other card and game stores sit within a couple of miles in Spokane Valley. Sportscards Northwest and Pixels Arcade Games are each about 1.3 miles away, The Gamer's Haven is about 1.5 miles away, Direct Damage Games is 2 miles away, and DJ's vintage sports cards is about 2.1 miles away. That makes it simple to pair a visit here, which is stronger on puzzles and board games, with a stop at a store focused more on cards or sports memorabilia.