Well, that depends on how "in Chicago" you are going to be. Chicago is a big place.
The first one that comes to mind for me is Gamer's Paradise. There's one at 835 N Michigan Ave, if you are going to be downtown. There is also one at "The HIP" - Harlem Irving Plaza (4132 N. Harlem Ave). That's technically Norridge, just north of Chicago proper. Then there's another location out by me in Schaumburg at the Woodfield Mall. Gamer's Paradise has an incredible selection, but (IMHO) can be a bit pricey.
Actually, if you are going to be as far west as Woodfield, your better option would be Games Plus (101 W Prospect Ave., Mount Prospect). Frankly, this place (again, IMHO) has the best selection at the best prices of any place in the Chicagoland area. However, if anyone disagrees or has any better suggestion, I'd be just as interested as the requester.
Hope this helps and I hope you enjoy [sung=Frank Sinatra voice]my hometown![/sung]
Thanks for the tips. I am hoping they have a good used rpg section.
I don’t think that Gamer’s Paradise has a lot in the way of used stuff, if anything. They are a chain store. You really want Games Plus. They have new, used, hard to find stuff, and some stuff I’d wager you’ve never seen before. Seriously, if it’s not too far out of your way, Games Plus is worth a look while you’re in town.
I just had a sour experience with Games Plus online. I was looking for an out-of-print GURPS Steamtech book and I was pointed in their direction by Steve Jackson Games as a great source of o-o-p material. Sure enough, they had it listed on their website for 16 bucks (the few Amazon copies are UBER-expensive for some reason) but after I processed the order, a couple of days went by and someone wrote me saying that the book wasn't in stock! Sucky!
They really ought to update their site so they don't get us old fanboys worked up over nothing.
Fleece66
I just had a sour experience with Games Plus online. I was looking for an out-of-print GURPS Steamtech book and I was pointed in their direction by Steve Jackson Games as a great source of o-o-p material. Sure enough, they had it listed on their website for 16 bucks (the few Amazon copies are UBER-expensive for some reason) but after I processed the order, a couple of days went by and someone wrote me saying that the book wasn't in stock! Sucky!
They really ought to update their site so they don't get us old fanboys worked up over nothing.
Fleece66
In all fairness, the original inquiry is from someone who is specifically going to be in town and physically going to a store. There is absolutely no chance that he or she will have the same experience. Besides, an endorsement by Steve Jackson Games is a pretty big deal, and I should think that is just another reason to check them out.
I’m sorry you were disappointed, but have you really posted to this thread to try to help someone with his or her request? Do you maybe have something constructive to add?
In all fairness, the original inquiry is from someone who is specifically going to be in town and physically going to a store. There is absolutely no chance that he or she will have the same experience. Besides, an endorsement by Steve Jackson Games is a pretty big deal, and I should think that is just another reason to check them out.
I’m sorry you were disappointed, but have you really posted to this thread to try to help someone with his or her request? Do you maybe have something constructive to add?
Troy-
For one, I actually voiced an opinion about a Chicago area store with which I have had recent experience. I gave it a "thumbs up" for reputation/recommendation and a "thumbs down" for misleading service. If nothing else, I'm passing on the endorsement from Steve Jackson Games which, as you stated, is pretty impressive and certainly of interest to anyone thinking of visiting the shop. For someone so worried about others adding constructive posts, why don't you try explaning how YOUR response to me in any way contributes positively to this thread?
And for the record, I'm heading the Chicago for the World Candy Expo next month and hoped to check out the store in person, so does anyone else have an opinion to voice on Games Plus or others of Chicago's finest?
Fleece
For one, I actually voiced an opinion about a Chicago area store with which I have had recent experience.
Wonderful. That's not what was asked for, though. I don't see how your online experience helps the requestor. I can’t see him picking up a book off the shelf and going to pay for it and being told “Sorry, we don’t have that book (that you're holding in your hand).”
When someone asks you where to go, you offer suggestions of where to go. Hint – you might want to actually be from Chicago before answering. Call me crazy.
I gave it a "thumbs up" for reputation/recommendation and a "thumbs down" for misleading service.
Rhetorical question: Do you actually do a lot of business via internet? These things do happen. It doesn’t make them a bad company and it certainly
For someone so worried about others adding constructive posts, why don't you try explaning how YOUR response to me in any way contributes positively to this thread?
I suppose it doesn’t, but it was my hope that you might realize that you did not offer what was asked for and, in future, might direct your rants to the “rant” thread. Guess not. Kind of like ordering something that’s out of stock.
And for the record, I'm heading the Chicago for the World Candy Expo next month and hoped to check out the store in person, so does anyone else have an opinion to voice on Games Plus or others of Chicago's finest?
Good. I hope you, too, enjoy your trip. I also hope you find everything in the store actually in the store.
RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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Games Plus is the best gaming store in the Chicago area, hands down. Not only do they have an incredible selection of RPGs, board games, card games, minis, books, magazines, etc. but they have a large gaming area with multiple tables that are normally full of people playing games. They often host Gamedays organized over on ENWorld.org as well as WOTC demos, free RPG day, etc.
As for deals, I'm not sure - you can probably find in print stuff cheaper at Paizo (if you have the 15% Pathfinder discount) or on Amazon, but you'll find tons at Games Plus that is hard to find. Also, their employees are pretty knowledgable and can talk your ear off about various games, etc.
The only possible criticism I could think of is that they have so much stuff, they sometimes don't know what they have. I was looking for a small card game once, called in, and they said they didn't have it. I went there anyway, to look for something else to get as a gift for a friend, and while I did find several good alternatives, I wound up finding a copy of the game I was originally looking for crammed in on one of their shelves.
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I just wanted to take a moment and thank everyone! I had a great trip to Chicago and did make time to goto Games Plus and it was worth the trip. Found a couple of things I wanted and they were very helpful for things I might want in the future! If you are in the Chicago area try to make it there, I just wished I had more time to play some games while I was there, they had a large gaming area seperate from all gaming materials.
So again THANK YOU for your help!!!
Cheers
I just wanted to take a moment and thank everyone! I had a great trip to Chicago and did make time to goto Games Plus and it was worth the trip. Found a couple of things I wanted and they were very helpful for things I might want in the future! If you are in the Chicago area try to make it there, I just wished I had more time to play some games while I was there, they had a large gaming area seperate from all gaming materials.
So again THANK YOU for your help!!!
Cheers
[SUPERHERO_STANCE] All in a days work! [/SUPERHERO_STANCE]
Seriously, I'm glad to hear it. They'll talk your ear off there, but you'll certainly feel taken care of. I go in for one thing and end up buying as much as I can carry. The longer I stay, the more I want to buy.
I'm glad my suggestion was helpful.