Cardhalla — Attraction in Laramie

I walked in for one pack. I left financially unstable — and spiritually fulfilled.

This store is basically the Pokémon Center if Nurse Joy dealt booster packs instead of potions. The second those automatic doors opened, the sweet aroma of fresh cardboard and childhood dreams hit me like a Machamp using Close Combat. I swear I heard the Pokémon Center theme faintly playing somewhere in the distance.

The staff? Absolute professors. One guy looked me dead in the eye and recited the exact pull rate for an Umbreon VMAX like he was delivering a prophecy. Another casually mentioned print variations like they were reading from the Book of Arceus. I felt both educated and deeply unworthy.

Prices? Amazing. Atmosphere? Pure serotonin. My self-control? Nonexistent — it fainted before I even reached the counter.

This is the kind of place where a fully grown adult can rip open a pack, scream "FULL ART TRAINER, BABY!” and get a standing ovation. Nobody judges you here; they just hand you a sleeve and emotional support.

If Pokémon nostalgia built a physical temple, this is it. I came for one pack, left with a booster box, two binders, a debt to my future self, and the happiest case of cardboard addiction imaginable.

Highly recommend. Bring a budget, a friend, and maybe a financial advisor. You will black out and wake up surrounded by...

Cardhalla is a breath of fresh air in Laramie gaming. While I have been friends with the owner for decades (full disclosure here) I have been a shop owner and manager and I have seen many shops come and go. In my opinion Cardhalla is doing it right.

The staff know their games, have created an environment for many games to grow, have reasonable policies and pricing. Also, the owner is upfront about all those policies. The transparency on pricing and buying helps me make well informed decisions. Lastly, thing I notice most is how the owner engages with everyone! Welcomes them when they come in and tries to help customers get what they need.

Admittedly the hours are a bit strange but that is typical of university towns as students (the bread and butter of a game store in a university town) have strange hours.

Cardhalla so far is making wonderful inroads into the Laramie...

Possibly the best run game shop I have ever been to. The owner, Cawvey, does everything in his power to help out new players of any game. That, and all the events I have been to there he has found a way to make them more interesting and engaging. Always a pleasure to visit the shop and I hope more people find...