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Just moved to King of Prussia/Devon PA and I havent really explored the area for hobby shops. The store finder on Dakka says that there is a store 13 mins from my apartment called The Compleat Strategist. I'm not sure about the atmosphere? I'd like to stop by to get a feel for the place and the gamers there but dont know what day to stop down to check it out. If anyone knows about this location that would totally rock. Thanks guys.

The strat is probably the closest to you, storewise. It's sort of hidden back behind an apartment complex. Been around for 30+ years. Howard, who runs it, is a good guy and a friend of mine. Sadly, the owners in New York don't give him any budget at all for scenery so he makes do the best he can. I think there is a little gaming going on in the Plymouth Meeting Mall, in Norristown, at Comics and More.

My two shops are directly south of you. From KoP, go down either 76 or south Gulph rd until you hit the Blue Route (RT. 476 south). Get off on RT 30, Lancaster avenue and you head two miles to my Bryn Mawr store. Good crowd on Saturdays and late night wednesdays.

Further down 476, you'll hit Route 1, and if you go south for 5 miles, my other store is in the Granite Run Mall. Both shops are GW partnership stores, with full lines of miniatures, gaming tables, painting classes, and leagues. The mall store, however, just got a huge upgrade and we added another half dozen tables for gaming, expanded our racks, and gave a lot more room for tabletop gaming. We can hold about 40-50 for tournaments now, and keep 12 8x4 tables set up for warhammer at all times. Fridays we stay open past midnite for gaming.

We'll be hosting 'ardboyz this weekend. Sat at Bryn Mawr, and Sunday at Granite Run.

I've been up to Mike's Granite Run store a few times, the new place is huge, very well stocked and well run. I always had a great time there.

I've never been by the Complete Strat in PA but the NY and VA stores are really good but gaming space in the VA is tight.

I helped build the gaming space in NY so I have a good opinion of it

Heh, was about to reccomend showcase, even though I haven't lived in Philly for years... I'll always recommend Showcase, either store has good and friendly people.

IMO Showcase Comics in Media is the premier store in the entire Philly region.

I'm still trying to convince mikhaila to open a 3rd store up in the ABE area.

Hey there,

I live in King of Prussia, and the Compleat Strategist is a good store. Howard is a great guy, and there is some terrain in the store that has been built by some of the patrons. Friday evenings used to be 40k night, although I haven't been able to go for a while. However, when I did manage to go there were always a few guys around for some games.

oni wrote:IMO Showcase Comics in Media is the premier store in the entire Philly region.

This.

Definitely recommended. I've driven from Baltimore to Showcase a few times to visit / play / purchase stuff (he's got everything!)
And I plan on making a few trips down from New Jersey for more of the same!

My comments on the stores that I can think of real quick that would be within 20 minutes of KoP...

Alternate Universe has a few stores but I haven't been to any in years.

Complete Strategist was the first gaming store I ever went to in the 80's. It can be a little hard to find for some folks as it is tucked in a mostly residential/apartment area, but just a couple miles from all the major roads. They have gaming space and Board/Card/Miniatures/RPGs

Comics and More has a store in King of Prussia but I am not sure what they have for gaming anymore, used to be my top place for models back in Rogue Trader days. The Plymouth Meeting store definitely has gaming. Last time I was around there was a bit of everything and comics too.

Hobbytown USA in West Chester has models, trains, rockets, Remote Control stuff, a bit of GW and of course building materials. They do not have any gaming space.

Nicholas Smith Trains in Broomall. They do not have any gaming products but if you need building supplies, this is one of the best around. If you are into trains, this is one of the best stores period. They also have a toy store downstairs that is incredible.

Showcase Comics in Bryn Mawr is closer to you than the Media store, but once you start exploring more - hit them both. The Media store just relocated to a new larger space in the same mall that incorporates 20 full size gaming tables and tons of supplies for tabletop miniatures games including loads of basing materials, many paint ranges and all the major games are available on the shelf as well as loads of stuff you may not have seen at a FLGS. Oh, and comics too.

The Games Keep in West Chester is mostly a board/card/rpg shop with a large amount of gaming space. Lots of Magic and a hearty board game player base. They only have GW in stock for tabletop games. Loads of great games are always in stock.

Complete Strategist is a good place have been making trips down from the Lehigh Valley for almost 20 years now. Show case comics are both excellent stores. I stop at all their locations even time I have come down since finding them through their gaming auctions. Lots of good options in your area. Definatly check them all out.