Hobby Quest — Local services in Elk Grove

Just got into a card game called Union Arena which is a very small community as of the moment of writing this. Called around a few shops to see if they had any tournaments so I can go watch and learn. Gentleman answered the phone and told me they were actually starting one right now! So I drove over there to watch. Once I got in the shop. The gentleman welcomed me in and I told him we were just on the phone. He told me by all means "please come in and introduce yourself. They are friendly" and so I did. I talked to a few people who were in the tournament. Told them i wanted to just watch and learn if they didnt mind. They were so happy to learn someone new wanted to start out and learn how to play the card game. 2 of them took the time to actually sit with me and teach me the game. The whole time the staff also was very very nice. So welcoming. The gentlemen in the shop walked up to each of the tournament contenders and handed them some promo cards for being in the tournament and he threw one right in front of me. I looked up at him because I was confused and he held up his fist to dab him up, and said "welcome to the community" and walked off. I didn't buy nothing. I didn't enter the tournament. I was merely a spectator wanting to learn how to play a game and had nothing to offer but that store gave me EVERYTHING. Kindness, time, teachings, a free promo card, staff and the people there in general were amazing. The people occupying the shop are a reflection of what kind of culture they have running at the store. He already knew they wouldn't mind me simply hovering over them as they played, let alone actually taking their time of the day to teach me. Thank you guys. You guys are awesome at...

The owner responded to my review, so I suppose I should be a little more specific!

Hobby Quest is a cute little Venue in Old Elk Grove, with a nice space for table top gaming such as: CCGs Like magic the Gathering or Pokemon, and I know that they have Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) events there.

Their stock is wide comparable to smaller game stores, with a nice archive of MtG (Magic the Gathering) cards, Table Top miniatures and supplies, various board games, dice and accessories.

And their staff is incredibly kind and attentive— I believe I was personally helped by a staff member named "Jose," it's been over a week so cannot recall exactly. I was on the phone with my partner and mentioned events they were holding— such as their Monday evening MtG Commander night, and D&D on Thursdays as I recall. Jose made sure to introduce himself to me and provide me with a card; as well as, information on the store's discord page where I could try to organize a community event there.

It's a larger play space compared to other local game stores! If possible come and pay them a visit— and if not, make sure to support your local game store instead!

*There is one caveat I may mention, parking is a little difficult especially if this is an unfamiliar location to you. *During the time of my visit there was a lot of street construction, making pulling into the venue's lot and leaving the parking space difficult *Visited on...

So my son who is 8 just mustered up the confidence to finally play Pokemon. We went in to the store at 2 ish pm and were told that they wouldn’t even accept payment until after 5 pm. So I drove home. Waited until 5 pm to return so he could play for his 1st time and got approached by someone when we were in line that informed us there was 9 people on the waiting list. Everyone had already paid. Sorry… unprofessional to say the least. The guy behind the counter took my number for the owner to call me. My son is crushed. This is the 2nd bad experience I’ve had at this shop. If I was told to stay I would have gladly waited hours with him in the parking lot… instead we were sent away to find out that the game got started without us. The guy behind the counter told me that he would give 2 packs to help. (Which was nice) but it doesn’t remove the feeling of not being included. I don’t know if we will return here. Very...