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Here at Off The Shelf Games, we wanted to create a community gaming space where people can come, grab a game Off The Shelf, and play! With over 1500 tabletop games and expansions in our board game library as of June 2023, there is something for everyone. For those that would like to stay and play with us, here is some frequently asked questions (and their answers). If you have a question that doesn’t appear on this page, then feel free to contact us using the buttons on the bottom of the screen!
Q. Why Board Games?
Short answer….. Because they are fun!
Long answer…..
I have always loved games, all kinds of games. From traditional Board games like Monopoly and Clue; Card Games like Spades and Hearts; to Active Games like Tag and Hide and go Seek. And I would argue that Everyone loves games of some sort: Sports are structured physical games, and everyone plays some sort of Video Game on their phone, if not on a console or Computer, and lets not forget that Las Vegas is a city built on Games! (of course there is the lure of cash that goes along with that) So with that in mind, I was shocked when I discovered that there are Literally Thousands of different Tabletop games available! And they really all have different feels to them, with different mechanics and themes. So I started buying them and playing them with my family, and we all became hooked! There is nothing like sitting around the table for a couple of hours, and seeing who can build the best Railroad (Ticket to Ride); Who can build the best settlements (Catan); Who is the best racer (Formula D); Or if we can all gather treasure and survive a sinking island (Forbidden Island). We would then introduce these games to our family and friends, and they would Love them and ask where they can get them. But with the amount and variety of these games out there, and the cost, it can become overwhelming to find which one would best suit a Family or person. So we decided to open up a store that would not only sell the games, but have them available to play! That way a person, couple, or family can come in, sit down, play a game or two, and then decide if it is something they would want to take home or not. When we opened, we had a starting Library of over 600 Games available for play, and keep on adding more every month. There will always be something available for someone to try out!
How often do you add new games to the game library?
We add about 10-15 new games to the game library every month. We stay up to date on the latest and greatest new games in the industry, but if there is something you would like added, please let us know.
What are your tables and chairs like?
We invested in soft cushy chairs, and sturdy wooden tables. No-one likes playing games in hard plastic/ metal chairs, or on wobbly plastic tables, so having comfortable tables and chairs was essential to our vision.
How much does it cost?
A Day Pass is only $8.00, and monthly membership is $20. You will find that the cost for a few hours here is way less than a movie ticket, and way more interactive and fun!
What are benefits of becoming a member?
In addition to free entrance, all members are eligible for a free half table at our monthly flea market and may rent games to take home and play.
Can I come and go?
Yes, you may come and go within the same day. Just be sure to check in/out with a staff member.
Do you sell games?
Yes, we have a retail section where we sell a wide variety of games. Every game we sell we also have in our library (with the exception of a few legacy games), so it is a great way to try it before you buy it, or simply open the box to take a look at the components.
Do you sell D&D?
Yes, we sell D&D books, tiles, minis, dice, and dice boxes/ bags, as well as other role-playing game systems such as Pathfinder, Animal Adventures, Kids on Bikes, Dungeon Crawl Classics, Delta Green, Cyperpunk Red, Savage Worlds, Fate and Genesys, to name a few.
What is a paint station?
You can use our paints, brushes, and wet-palette set-up to paint your mini-figures. We have 67 different paints available for use, all of which is included in the entrance fee or membership.
Do you have game teachers?
All of our staff are boardgame fans, and although no one can be an expert in every game we have (because we have lots!), they know a lot, and can recommend games you may like and help you get started.
Do you have tournaments?
]Yes, every so often we will have game tournaments, and offer a fun prize such as membership, a copy of the game, or food tokens. Our staff will be able to teach you how to play these featured games, so don’t worry if you do not know how to play. Check our calendar of events and/or join the East County tabletop Roleplaying and Board Games Group on meetup.com to be notified of future tournaments.
Can I bring in outside games?
Yes, if there is a game that you would like to bring, we ask that you check it in at the front counter.
Do you have food and drinks?
Yes, we have cold drinks, beer and snacks available. We also have small microwavable meals, a microwave, and a coffee maker.
Can I bring in outside food and drinks?
Yes, you may bring in outside food, but please be respectful of strong odors that might make other guests feel uncomfortable. You may bring in outside drinks, but you may not bring in outside alchohol.
Do you take reservations?
Yes, we have 8 tables that can be reserved by Off The Shelf Games members. Call us at 619-499-5111 to make your reservation.
Do you have private rooms?
No, we have a semi-private room, which is almost a private room but has no doors.
Do you accept credit cards?
Yes, we accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.
Can I bring my kids?
Yes, we want Off The Shelf Games to be a place where families can enjoy quality time together. All children are welcome, but if under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Do you have any games my children may like?
Yes, we have numerous games for children appropriate for ages 4 and up.
How can I be notified of future events?
Join the East County tabletop Roleplaying and Board Games Group on meetup.com, or our discord server, or any of our social media pages