It's amazing how this place stays in business. We went in with the intent to purchase some items for the grandkids and the owner was rude and just sat behind the counter glaring at the kids. I would rather support a small business that actually wants my business! If you're looking to purchase puzzles and stuffed animals in Anacortes go to Little Tugs. read more

For several years I have chosen to drive from Greenbank WA to Boxes and Bears rather than purchase online. The store has a wonderful selection of games and puzzles updated regularly and the owner is generous with the used puzzle exchange program and frequent buyer card. The owner is knowledgeable in the game department and has offered awesome gift suggestions over the years. Unfortunately rude people come with the territory and I sure am glad I don't have to deal with them! The owner runs a great business and NO I am not related. I just appreciate hard working people and well run businesses. read more

Puzzles, games, and beautiful trinkets. The selection is good, service was friendly. We look forward to visiting every time we are in Anacortes. read more

Love this place! Purchased many games and the sale section is always full of temptations!

Idk how often anyone goes to Anacortes -- but DONT go to this store. My 18 month old was having a temper tantrum (like kids do) for like barely 30 seconds and the store owner literally kicked us out. Went back in to say something to her & told me that me & my kids needed counseling. Should've listened to the other reviews. USN. Boxes and Bears - Games & Puzzles read more

Rude and not friendly at all! The ill-mannered older woman working there ruins the entire shopping experience with her poor behavior. She should be embarrassed by how she treats potential customers. My six year old has better manners than her. I walked in with my two kids (one in a stroller) knowing exactly what I was looking for and immediately found it. I was holding a board game in one arm when I asked the older woman if she happened to have two games because I picked up the last one from the shelf. She abruptly said,"No, and you can't have an open container of food in the store....ants." It took me a minute to realize that she was talking about the CLOSED ziplock bag of animal crackers I had in my other hand that was resting on my stroller. It was obvious that neither I nor my kids were eating from the bag and that I was literally just carrying my kid's things...because that's what moms do. Kids hand us everything. Maybe wait until you actually see someone eating from an OPEN CONTAINER before jumping to conclusions. I try to shop local, but this behavior was ridiculous. I immediately put the game back and will drive 30 minutes to Walmart or shop on Amazon from this point on. read more

Nice selection of toys and plenty of options for all to chose from. However, if the older lady could be a little bit more tactful and better mannered with the customers and in front of children this establishment could be a hit in times where you can acquire almost anything over the internet. They lost our business today! read more

Nice store. Lots of options. Older lady working complete ignored customers - no greeting, offer to help etc.

My friends and myself absolutely love this store. With books, puzzles and even magic cards, boxes and bears is a great little Anacortes store. The store owner is very friendly and awesome person. If any review says other wise they are in the wrong read more

I went in to get a game for my wife and I to play. Great attitude and great recommendation for a game from the person working that day.

Rude staff, we try to support the small town businesses but going forward we will patron other friendlier businesses in Anacortes. I am updating this review, as I just noticed the response, and it is full of inaccuracies. To clarify: 1. The box was not delicate or priced as such - it was a less than $10 cardboard jewelry box shaped like a ladybug with a cheap metal ladybug necklace inside. Since my daughter liked ladybugs, and asked to look at it, I gave it to her to see if she liked it and we might buy it. 2. We were not asked if we wanted a box, at least within the first four times we were asked if it could be put it behind the counter or if we were buying it. We were trying to find other things to buy, but the constant interruptions of repetitive questions within five minutes time deterred us from doing so. 3. The box was not broken or damaged - after my daughter said she didn't want it, I looked it over and saw no damage, fixed the necklace to sit right in its slot, and put it back. It was snatched up by the clerk and put it in the back of the store and when my husband asked to look at the damage, the clerk refused. There was an accusation that lipstick got on it, which was false because I don't wear any and my daughter had no food or item on her that would have caused any marks on the fake red velour of the box. 4. The sign pointed at by the clerk was not about broken things being paid for, it was a sign about small children being attended to, which wasn't relevant as my child was in her stroller the whole time. Also, we actually paid for the "broken" item, a fact that seems to be missing from the response. We have always supported local business in Anacortes. We would frequent this store whenever we were in town (usually monthly) since it had opened and have always brought our daughter in with us with no previous issue. We were always treated nicely before, so I don't know what the clerk's problem was that day, but the bombardment of questions and accusations and immature behavior even after we paid for the "damaged" item was horrendous and reprehensible. I still remember it in detail all these months later. The attempt in the business response to distort what happened is also deplorable, and just makes me more confident in never going back. You lost frequent, loyal customers over an $8 item. If the behavior of the clerk that day continues, you will lose more customers, and affect the reputation of Anacortes as a whole. We will continue to support the other, friendly businesses in town who behave more professionally. read more

Been in here with my kids a few times. They have a nice selection of board games and what not. I have it three stars because every time we have been in, I feel like we are being watched ever so closely as if we were casing the place to commit a crime. Not a good feeling. The woman owner seems snarky and distrustful of anyone. Won't be coming back here as there are better stores in town to buy hobby/game stuff (cheaper too). read more

Oh my, Oh my... Mama Bear was very rude... I was there to spectate a few of my young friends who were excited to participate in a Magic Tournament and ask me to come... Little did I know this lady has got some major control issues. It started when I pulled out a cigarette on my way outside. A stern accusative voice behind me starts going off about her smoke free game shop, as if anybody has ever been confused about your smoking policy. I explained I only smoke outdoors and she sneered and went back to bossing little kids around like some kind of Military Sergeant. I smoke and returned with no hard feelings. I began socializing with the numerous people I happen to know participating in this tournament... This woman goes APE SH*T and starts screaming at me that i'm not welcome, accused me of knocking over merchandise (that I was clearly over 2ft from) and when I asked about why she was being so rude she started YELLING "I'm calling the cops!!!" to which I replied "Go ahead, I fight bad business by letting others know to avoid said bad business". I would go to Mt. Vernon they have better stores, better service, way better prices and they wont verbally abuse your children (I read that other review and I sympathize that your child was exposed to this woman... and not shocked that she didn't try to make it right but instead blames you for her bad customer service.). I have already began to tell the people of Anacortes, in fact a bunch of residents are together right now talking about how much of a shame it is to have this kind of business practice in a nice town such as Anacortes... This happened less than an hour ago from posting this... Please feel free to share this review and information on other review sites... read more

Other reviewer is crazy! The lady who runs this shop is great. i play Magic the Gathering and she offers her cards at a much greater discount than most shops. I travel a good half hour out of my way to come here and she has always been great to my friends and I. The selection of board games is fantastic and the shop is very professional and well kept. Never an issue and i don't foresee there being one ever. Thank you for your great prices and selection of Magic Cards, you have my business gladly. read more

Love this place! I'm a huge puzzle and board game fanatic and shop here every time I visit Anacortes. The owner is super nice and helpful and the shop has a cheerful vibe. It is a bit small so it might be better for older kids or ones who are good at behaving in shops. read more

Always very friendly with an incredible assortment of games. Great addition to our town. Highly recommend it. Do you guys match Amazon? I'd rather support you guys. read more

I visited this store again recently, now a very large well organized game store with friendly helpful staff. I found the lady there very helpful, friendly and welcoming. I was so happy to visit this nice big store, as I remember when it was down the street in a small location and even then I loved it. I will recommend this to my friends in the area and be visiting again. I heard she has amazing Magic game nights and the kids love her, as she is very generous with them. If you get a chance, check it out! read more

Definitely worth checking out, good selection of games and puzzles! I found sushi go for cheaper than other places:) they also have cards against humanity and expansion packs! read more

Boxes and Bears is a great place (the only place) to find the latest awesome board games and best quality puzzles in Anacortes. I grew up in Anacortes and have shopped at Boxes and Bears for many years. The store has a unique selection as well as reasonable prices. The owner is knowledgeable about her products and has a real passion for games and puzzles. I have always experienced a friendly, welcoming environment in the store and after many years of shopping there, I have not once had a negative experience. Whether you live in Anacortes or are just passing through, I strongly suggest you come downtown and check out Boxes and Bears. This is a great store and You won't be disappointed. read more

Extremely rude to our kids, no patience for young kids, store is cramped. Cranky and overpriced, I will never go back!!!

Because we love what this store could be I've given this two stars. We are gamers at heart and enjoy their selection of board and card games as well as Bennie boos. And the young man who works there is knowledgeable about the merchandise and helpful in selecting new games. However, every time we have gone to boxes and bears when the lady is there our experience has been hurtful to my children. They are good kids used to the unfairness that is life and so they have not complained and still ask to visit any time we're downtown but I see the sadness on their faces when the child in front of them is given candy or a free Pokémon. My kids are not the kind to ask and so they leave disappointed. The one time I did ask if the Pokémon was a gift with purchase when you buy a deck the lady told me to my face that she does that for good children. I told her that my kids save their allowance to buy the cheep tiny Pokémon which prompted her to allow them to buy them after all but she rushed them choosing their three each. On that occasion I bought the Sherlock game which way out-values a pokedeck. Another instance I was purchasing a gift for my nephew and we were in line and she gave the little girl in front of us some candy then seemed put out when we asked for gift wrap. Which, like the other toy store in town, the do offer and have displayed prominently. Now I'm not diluted that my children are perfect or always on their best behavior but they are well mannered and responsible. If they pick up a toy to look at it or show me they return it and they don't pick up things that are obviously fragile or expensive because we have he rule that if you can't afford it you shouldn't touch it. So, because I do view my kids as having been well behaved in the store I kind of assumed that she was antiquated and prejudice because my kids are dark skinned and every kid she's favored has been blond but seeing others difficulty with her maybe this isn't the fact. In any event my children still love the store solely on their huge selection of games but as much as I love to shop local we've started avoiding here and I've reached the point of sharing our disappointment here online since I've seen other people are sharing similar experiences. read more

I visited Boxes and Bears several weeks ago and was overjoyed with the service and the products available. As a new middle school librairian trying to choose appropriate games for our students to play during lunch, I appreciated Diane's knowledge about which games students would enjoy, and the time she took to explain the games to me. Many games were open and available for me to look through, and the layout of the store made shopping fun. I would recommend this magical store to educators, parents, and everyone who has a kid of any age who loves to play. read more

I have stopped into this store on more than one occassion as I am a true believer in supporting small, locally owned businesses. As my inlaws own a small business in town, and I own one myself, I was excited to support another Anacortes store, especially being that it is game and puzzle oriented - right up my alley!! On my first visit into the store, I visited with just my husband. I found the store to be clean & tidy and the selection to be nice. Unfortunately, I found the owner to be not quite as friendly as I would expect in such a store. Regardless, we did purchase several items on our Christmas shopping list that trip. On my second visit, and the one upon which the one star has been granted, I visited with my husband and two children. After enjoying breakfast next door at the Calico Cupboard, my younger son spotted a few puzzles in the window, and so we went in to check them out. Upon my opening the front door, the owner was vacuuming the front rug and was therefore blocking our entrance. We waited paitently as the owner continued to vacuum, never shutting it off to allow customers to enter, or apologizing for blocking our entrance, or even thanking us for waiting while she finished. After finally being allowed into the store, our children began to look around at all of the fun games, puzzles, and trinkets to be had. At this time, we were the only customers in the store. We were very mindful of our children's behavior, making sure to have them look with their eyes and behave calmly, etc., as I know what it is like to have children run amuck in one's store. At one point, my younger son and I ventured towards the back of the store upon where my son peeked into the back room through the open doorway. At no time did his feet or any other part of his body cross over the door's threshold, and so while watching him closely, I allowed him to safely peek into the back room - no harm to be done in checking out the magical back room! Apparently not the case, as the owner quickly admonished my son and made a big to do about the fact that children were not allowed in the back room, yada yada yada. Being that I was watching him closely, it seemed like an awfully big reaction to something quite small and innocent. Later, my younger son and husband were admiring the dancing potted plant figurines. He was interested in seeing one up close, however we told him that he would have to look from his vantage point. Upon hearing his protests that he just wanted to hold it, the owner went on and on that they were fragile, etc. even interrupting my husband who was in the middle of explaining that to our child. Additionally, the owner continued on even laughing about the fact that children think they can touch things, that our son was not old enough, etc - a gesture that was not done in good fun. She was certainly not laughing out of good-natured fun, but was truly laughing at our child. By this point I had had enough of the owner's rudeness towards our family. We left the store without purchasing a thing. This is truly a shame, as my son was truly the customer that day as I was prepared to purchase as many puzzles as he picked out. Not only did the owner lose a sizeable sale that day, but also any sale from this family in the future. I will instead continue to shop at Read Me a Story, another locally owned business in Anacortes. They have earned the thousands I spend there each year for Christmas, birthdays, and just for fun, in their customer service, selection (which is just as good as Boxes and Bears if not better), and their overal friendly demeanor when dealing with customers big and small. If Boxes and Bears does not wish to deal with smaller customers who are on their best behavior, then I would suggest the owner remove the school aged puzzles, matchbox cars, and other such chidren's items from her store. If there was a no star option, Boxes and Bears would have earned it based upon the rudeness of the owner. Such a shame. read more