Games Workshop — Attraction in Virginia Beach

Generally Speaking I avoid GW Stores like the plague. One too many horror stories online about overly pushy sales folk, and my one experience prior to this one opening was one up north in a mall we stopped in on the way home from a visiting Family, was not pleasant... On to a standard good, meh, bad.

Good: -Generally speaking if I want it they have it. Need a Random Textured paint? This Week's White Dwarf interesting? A Box of (X) miniature They have it in stock 99% of the time. The Exception being GW Direct only items which you have to use the Webstore for. -I have never felt overly pressured while there. Sales staff try to make small talk which is their job and are as unobtrusive as possible. If you like talking about your project, most of the time who ever is there will be interested and have suggestions as to what to get, or techniques to use. Easy to Navigate, GW Corporate got store layouts right. I go maybe once a month unless the WD is interesting and I never need help finding anything.

Meh (Things that I have generally Neutral Feeling about but others may not): -Nothing of Note for this section

The Bad

About this store in particular I have nothing truly Negative to say beyond its a little....Cozy... Much like the rest of the internet I could rant and rave on the Company itself for hours, but that is not what this is about, its about this store in particular and how it functions and serves, and overall they do a good job.

EDIT 2017: A complaint I have is the high turnover managers it seems. I get that things happen but due to infrequent nature of my visits it seems like there is always someone new. I often fear the last guy got canned because we talked about Warmachine/Hordes in the confines of the store and corporate had the...

I don't get out to the Hilltop area very often and this shop is TINY, so I didn't realize it existed until just recently. For me, it can feel a little intimidating walking into a small hobby shop and relaxing enough to really look around and feel comfortable enough to ask questions. Over time, I've learned how to push through social anxiety, but I still felt a little intimidated on my first visit.

That anxiety dissapated quickly, though! There's a sense of warmth and community here that really attracted me. The manager (whose name escapes me because I am terrible with names, lol) is super helpful and friendly and it seems like there are always some people either playing a game, assembling and painting minis or shopping around who are also warm and friendly!

The prices are a little high compared to what you can find online, but that's worth it to me. I want to see more shops like this flourish and succeed. Too much of our lives are conducted online, now, and it's so refreshing to have a place to go to where the people are nice, I always find something interesting (although that is dangerous, sometimes haha) and you can share a laugh or have a conversation with people who also share an interest in your hobby!

So far, I have introduced both of my brothers, my dad and one of my best friends to shis place and they have all loved it, too! The little bit of extra money and time to get out to Hilltop compared to shopping online are WELL worth it. Not only do you get the things I mentioned above, but you can get advice on painting techniques, as well as demonstrations.

On the off chance you're like me and you've seen this place, but have felt intimidated to step inside and take a look around, do it! You...

If I could give more than 5 stars, I would. Anybody here who complains about the opening hours being wonky, specific, or saying he's open when he's closed are just being whiny. This is a one man operation done by grandmaster Preston HIMSELF! Preston is an amazing soul. Sure, the prices here are steep, but he cannot control that. Take it up with the company, not him. The entire store is a one man operation and damn he does a good job with it. He's a very welcoming person and always ready to explain the hobby to anyone that will listen. He takes his time with the people who are new to warhammer without pushing sales on to them. If you're intrested, I would definitely call about scheduling a paint or play class with him. The store and it's patrons are usually such a kind and welcoming place with people of all personalities and skill levels. This is MY happy place and I couldn't recommend going...