I can't say I frequent a lot of game stores. But alas, my kiddo is into Pokémon and is begging for…read morea pack any second he can. So when we walked past this downtown Madison gamer hub, you better believe he wanted to go in. When you walk in half the shop is merch and the other half are tables/chairs for gaming. It seems like they have a ton of tournaments/opportunities to play a multitude of games. (Peep their Facebook page for the weekly schedule.) I liked the large amount of games they had (for such a small space). They had some hardcore card games but also some light hearted-- Poetry for Neanderthals and more. Pricing seem steep, to me. But again, I'm not a huge gamer so I may not know what I am talking about. My kiddo found his Pokémon card set of choice. We snagged them. In and out. I can't say the staff was overly friendly or helpful but they were prompt. That being said, we walked past this hole in the wall later in the week and there was an adorable pupper in the window! That alone makes this a 3.5 star rating.

Gio is the best, bro gives nothing but good vibes and great at tell you what's new and is really…read morehonest

Update. Back to 5! I don't know what that one employee's…read morename is and if I did, I of course wouldn't post it. But thank god he wasn't there. That attitude. Anyway, MUCH better today. Some new guy was working there that I didn't recognize. I like him a lot better. We talked about a lot of game related things that I don't want to bore you with here and go super-nerd on you. Just wanted to post an update, because that one guy's attitude shouldn't reflect on the store, but it kinda does. When you work there, you represent it. If that one guy still works there, I hope he has a better day and better interactions with customers. Especially someone like me who doesn't take up a lot of their time or space, just comes in spends a lot and leaves. Probably the best kind of customer you'd want.

This is our most fav game store in Grayslake Really it is! We love going there a few times a month…read moreto check out the new games & play. The store is very clean and the game playing tables are the best. This is the only game store we've been in with top notch table & chairs. The store has a huge game selection, paints, minis, family games, puzzles & more. They have an Adventure Club which is worth investing in. I love that he works with other local businesses which gives a discount to club members. The staff are always friendly & helpful. The owner, Tim, is super friendly. We are very thankful he has this store. It is one of our top fav stores ever and we've been to a lot of them. More photos later! Go to this store if you are anywhere near it!

As a retired teacher, I now love shopping here for my grandkids. Unique gift ideas that are…read moreeducational! I would have loved a store like3 this when I was teaching. I appreciate the pleasant staff and that they wrap my gifts so beautifully. They have a FREE bookcase of used books, which is also popular.

This store is AMAZING!! So so so bittersweet that I found it as they began closing. I wish I had…read morefound it sooner but there's still so many amazing gems to be found!! Please do yourself a favor and stop in before they close for good! So sad what's happening to all the small business around.

This store has been around a long time by the same owner. It is located in the basement of the…read morebuilding on Central Ave, accessible by stairs or an elevator. There are all kinds of sports memorabilia available including Pokemon cards at all sorts of prices. Only street parking is available nearby. We look forward to returning.

It is so organized a great selection. Best cards you should really go. You are welcome.read more

The owner is amazing. He was super nice and didn't treat me like a nerd. He was extremely…read moreknowledgeable about all the games I was interested in. They also have an awesome selection of Pokémon rares. I love this place.

They do not sell comics anymore since the remodel. Good store for games and cards, various Pokémon…read morefigures and the like. Open at 2 pm on Saturdays.

I'm nine and my mom is letting me write this on her yelp account. Pastimes is super good if you're…read morelooking for Pokémon, Magic, or comics! The staff are really nice. They have a range of stuff from $1-$1500. They have small packs and big 100 card boosters! There are also events. It's perfect for card and comic lovers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow! Tucked inside the Golf Mill Mall near the movie entrance is a gem - one of a kind gamers…read moreparadise that sells comics, games, action figures and best of all holds card and game tournaments in the back of the store. It's really a gamers paradise and you can find here rare comic books, vintage games and toys that will delight both children and adults. The store is neatly organized, and very well lit - qualities conducive to a good treasure hunt.

This is the book store I always wished had been at this location! Prior to Secret World Books…read moreopening up here, it was a religious reading room. The space was so nice looking, and they had this adorable little garden in the back that I had only gotten glimpses of for years (like as far back as the 1990s) - but it didn't cater to my tastes and beliefs, so I never really visited there. Secret World Books recently occupied the space, and turned it into everything I love about small independently owned book nooks, which makes me so happy! They have a nicely-curated collection of books. Such a small shop obviously cannot compare to major book stores in sheer volume, but runs laps around them when it comes to style and vibe (sorry, I'm probably gonna say 'vibe' a lot here, please bear with). If you want books from local authors, if you want well-loved hidden gems that maybe missed the "[Insert Celebrity Name] Book Club™®©" spotlight, if you want to find some gently-read books with character unique to used books, if you're looking for some retro magazines, if you like comic books / graphic novels, if you're into tabletop RPGs, if you want books catering to out-of-the-box thinkers, and might enjoy an inviting safe space for people of all walks of life... Yeah, this just might be your place. And if you DO want the latest greatest manufactured-viral or pop culture hit, the Secret World staff can still get it for you, and seem chill about it. Hey, sometimes I just wanna read the latest entry in a best-selling megacorporation-owned franchise, without being judged... It's all good. Just go to the front and ask them to get a copy for you; easy peasy, lemon squeezy. Just maybe also consider looking behind the counter at their collection of books from local and lesser-known authors, who might have something that'll pull you in. It's so tough for local artists, crafters, writers, and other creative individuals go get traction; IMO, it's always bodacious when you put a little effort into checking 'em out, and generate some word-of-mouth magic to help them advance their message and/or skills. You might even just run into an author you know. They recently had some poets reading from their works, including Katana Smith and Highland Park's own poet laureate Laura Joyce-Hubbard. This weekend they'll have authors Jenna Satterwaite and Beth Kander. Seems like this is a somewhat common occurrence here... Pretty cool, huh? Oh, man, and the atmosphere here is sooo... I dunno, my ADHD want to say "cozy" and "crunchy" at the same time. "Crunchozy?" Thanks, wacky-internal-monologue-voice! Secret World feels nice and chill, but still filled with positive lively vibes. It's physically just comfortable, too. They have some comfy seats and a tea station that adds to the vibe, plus a gorgeous view of their secret garden. Dude, they even call it the "Secret Garden," which - funny(ish) personal story - I've been calling it for years. Literally, for decades, I had known there was a cool little secluded garden back there; but it's completely walled in, so I could only catch fleeting glimpses. I had a running head-canon that I would unlock an Elder Scrolls-esque mission there someday. I finally got to see it in person, and it's even cooler now! No RPG mission yet, but I'll be back to see what the zen racoon has to say. Okay, sorry, I've babbled on enough. Secret World Books book store: Cool place. Nice books. Friendly peeps. Comfy vibe. They spread the word on exercising your 5th amendment rights. They have complementary hot tea. Plenty of free street parking, near some 2-hour-free public parking lots. Neighbors to Curt's Café. Yeah, pretty awesome. Books; check 'em out!

This place is great! I was able to find a cool board game for a party. I also found some cool…read morecomics here as well!

Very nice indeed there's just a big problem the prices are super high and if you try to sell a card…read morethey comp it at like 55%. Service not amazing pretty kind but doesn't help a lot on the cards like what your looking for or the price your spending on the cards so they can give a range. The selection is great but not a lot to look at.

Visiting from Texas, Highly recommended shop for all collectibles, shop owners were awesome to work…read morewith! Sold cards and was given a more than fair value!! All things sports, Top Issue sports memorabilia shop has it all! Very competitive pricing on sealed, slabs, cards, pokemon memorabilia & so much more!! Thanks again!!