I had a great time here. Staff was really friendly and explained the games I was interested in. The selection was small, but surprisingly thorough and covered many games I was looking for. The staff also helped me find corresponding card sleeves. Various gameplay was going on in large groups in the background and I learned more about their schedule for different games, including X-Wing which I'm a huge fan of. People were clearly having a great time. My guess is that other staff members have prompted the negative reviews on here, but from my experience everyone was extremely friendly and helpful. I'll absolutely be making this a go to spot for my board game needs. read more

Prices are way too high. This shop is no better than the scalpers. They are charging about $160-170 for $100 products. I played one event at this store, it was advertised as a $5 entry event with standard rules. I arrive to the store and was charged $10 for entry (reasonable amount for event in question but advertised lower) and after I paid, I was told this event had a bunch of house rules and they banned half of my cards. For extra context, I was in the store 2 days prior and none of these house rules were mentioned when they told me about the event. Instead they posted these rules in their discord and never even told me about this server. TL:DR The employees themselves seem fine and nice, but whoever sets the prices and organizes events needs to do better. read more

We stopped in on a quick visit from out of town, they had a small but great collection of SWU. Dani was super helpful!

All your web adventures and cool knickknacks in one store. Even Pokemon cards. DnD and Magic! read more

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wow I found my sons final Christmas gift! one of a kind!! love the store! love the service!

Always very helpful and nice. Have ordered many cards through them and always been happy. Huge mtg collection as well. Prices are straight from tcg so comparable to online read more

I will never come back knowing that the employees that work there disregard a female patron and tend more to the male patrons one In particular Roderick he was rude and condescending towards myself and daughter I will never come back this place has lost my buisness ! read more

The store itself is great. It's clean, nice location. Whoever the Asian guy with glasses is, who handles the Pokémon cards is a complete DICK for no apparent reason. Absolutely the worst with customer service... I come in with sweats and a hoodie asking to see a card... "you don't want to look at cards up there, they are priced pretty high" What about my appearance did you think I couldn't afford cards on the top shelf? ***Are you serious?*** I ask to look at another card... "You can see it from there" Lolol bruh... No card shop that I've been to has ever not allowed me to hold a card, even it being SLEEVED. The card I wanted is listed at $125 - had the priced marked on back and everything. We go to check out, and he tell me it's actually $175 now?! He needs to stop playing magic and marvel games while on shift and update the prices. Please stop acting like customers are a hassle because he is driving away business... that or something else to do. The shop visually looks good, but the guy who works front desk... the absolute worst read more

I have been to this store many times! Maria was the best and most helpful person that I have interacted with sense I have been going there. The review is more for her than the store. Today, was so good for me there, I have been inspired to go back! I am going to get some German MtG cards! read more

I visited the shop to get advice on how to recognize counterfeit cards. The staff took their time to talk to me and show me and other players in the shop tips and tricks. Everybody was courteous and friendly and I had a positive experience and told all my Magic playing friends about them. PS I am a female and a noob and everybody treated me very nicely. read more

This hidden cave is the highlight of my "geekdom" week. Located in an inconspicuous strip mall that has an entrance opposite of the mall, Curio is my go-to gaming place. On Tuesday evenings the place transforms into the x-wing gaming extravaganza. Players from all over invade the ship to battle weekly. The store is very supportive of these games. They sell any items you can dream of in your world of gaming. I have enjoyed meeting similar people who share in the same imaginary world. read more

Very disappointing visit. Game selection isn't very large but they have games, a few we were interested in. I had questions... both my daughter and I were ignored and could not get any help, a male customer was helped before us (despite us being at the counter first). Must be because we are girls and what do girls know about gaming? The whole vibe was off. Customer service is lacking severely towards female patrons. I'm not the first female to complain about it either. I'll keep taking my business elsewhere. read more

So....Talking with the store owner Tom he taught me about these new (to me), counter tokens from ultra Pro for MTG. I love them! Having a token that you can change the attack or defense and the quantity is really cool! Now I'm old school so not using small glass stones to simulate a swarm is sad but having table space to play is far better! I even pulled my favorite Egyptian cat as one of the tokens and found a foil. There are 3 sets i just got into the latest 2 but they are pretty cool. ~ RAXX read more

Lady that works at the register during her days is very helpful, approachable, and a real joy. But what gives me a sour taste of this business is the Asian guy that works that register on his days because he's not very approachable and he seems very irritable when dealing with him. read more

Curio is more than just a game store. The owner/operator, Tom, and all of his staff do an amazing job of providing a fun, friendly, and safe environment for people of all skill levels to come and play all sorts of games. I learned to play Magic The Gathering here. Tom himself took the time to sit down, teach me how to play, and played through a few games while giving me tips along the way. As I came back, to play in the weekly tournaments or just to hang out in between appointments, the fun vibrant community is truly what brought my experience to the next level. A couple of the friends I made there ended up becoming Groomsmen at my wedding and are now known as "Uncle" to my daughter--years later. I feel this type of community atmosphere is special to find (even more so these days) and if you are interested in competitive gaming, casual gaming, or a fun friendly community to be a part of, look no further. The Springfield location is near and dear to my heart and I'm excited about the new Centerville Curio Cavern that just opened this past summer. read more

I have been going to Curio Cavern since April of 2012. I am a female who participates in nerd games. First off, Curio Cavern is an ACTIVE gaming store. Sometimes, especially during Friday Night Magic, there can be up to 40 people plus in the store all trying to sign up for events or buy product or both. So if you can't understand why you didn't get your hand held and walked around the store with a personalized greeting, then maybe you should check your presumptions at the door and actually open your eyes to what's going on. The reviewers here calling this place "blatantly sexist" are laughable. Ok, now I got that out of my system. On to the actual review of the store. Curio Cavern has moved to a new location in the same complex but behind the original location. It is MUCH cleaner now. Bright, cheerful, with Oak style bookshelves lining the wall and a nice pergo style floor. Space is still an issue (the place seats about 46 at max capacity), but anyone who plays at public tournaments should know that space is usually an issue. Even at very large events in convention centers, space is still an issue. The new location also has a larger bathroom that is handicap accessible and able to accommodate a wheelchair-bound individual. Product selection is still primarily board games and Magic: the Gathering, however the store is expanding into miniatures. There are two larger tables in the front to support miniature gaming, a new addition with the move. Paper RPGs are carried in a limited capacity but there are no regular RPG nights. The only issue I have with Curio Cavern is their Magic singles stock. They tend to be often out of popular singles with is a combination of popularity (obviously) and amount of stock the shop wants to keep on hand at any given point (not much). Price-wise, singles are priced around Star City Games, which is typical in this area. Board games and other products are priced at what they should be for a brick-and-mortar store. In reply to the self-entitled female who reviewed earlier, No sh*t things are cheaper on Amazon. Because they are strictly online, they have zero overhead when compared to the sheer amount of product they move. If you knew anything about basic business, they make money by having a ridiculously low profit margin, thus lower prices, and selling HUGE amounts of items. If you want cheap, give the finger to your local economy and small business and go shop at Wal-Mart and Amazon. Then cry when you don't have a local store to go play at because they simply can't compete with those massive retailers and end up going out of business. Bottom line: Curio Cavern is a great, local business that actually supports the games they play. They will teach you a new game, give deck tech advice, or sit down and play with you. Not just sell you something and send you on your way. Support your local business. read more

First off, not what I was expecting from the name of the place. I was down here for sushi the other day and spied this place as I drove in the lot. I'm fan of odd little knick knacks - you know the kind of things you find in curios - so I though I'd at least check the place out. Yeah - its an RPG shop complete with several tables where folks could sit and play. So definitely more cavern than curio. But the reason I'm only giving them 2 stars is because I was completely ignored the entire time I was in the shop. I get it - perhaps you're not familiar with the concept that girls know how to roll dice and throw down a wicked spell card, but basic customer service would dictate at least a hello or welcome. I have a couple friends that love RPGs and this might have been the type of place I might shop for them. Alas, I doubt I'll be back. read more

I had my first experience with Curio Cavern last weekend and I will definitely be a returning customer. I went into the store randomly looking for a gaming store near me that might have what I was looking for in a new card game. The staff there was knowledgeable and friendly. They recommended a game that my family really loved and they are clamoring for me to get the expansion packs. I know where I going to get them! if you're looking for a good, game store with friendly staff who can recommend awesome games, then Curio Cavern is the place for you! read more

Curio Cavern is a great place to play Magic. It's truly a place that wants gamers, and in my opinion, does the most to make sure gamers are happy. The owner, Tom, is a really nice guy. And he also always listens to customer feedback and is always looking for new and interesting things to do to make the game store the place to be. The other employees are also very nice and helpful. The store holds events every day of the week, across all the different formats, and at reasonable times so that you can get there after work. There's been a number of times I've played at Curio Cavern because I can make their events that start at 7 or 7:30. Unlike other places that start at 6 when I can't get off of work. They have great prize support, reasonable prices, and the largest selection of Magic singles in the area. And they'll sometimes do fun things like a free pack for whoever comes in dead last in a tournament. The monthly raffles are also a great idea. For every $20 you spend, you get 1 ticket you can use at a monthly raffle for prizes. Really good prizes. I find myself buying most of my cards at Curio Cavern because 1) they actually have the cards and 2) I can get the raffle tickets. I will caution though that while this is one of the best stores in the area, it might not be for everyone. They only run Magic and Star Wars events, so if you're looking for other games like Pokemon you're going to have to go somewhere else. The other thing is that it is definitely an older crowd that patrons the store. I've rarely met anyone mean, but there's still some adult language used and a lot of people who are hard-core playing the game to win. So this probably wouldn't be my first choice to let young kids play at. It's definitely for the young adult / adult crowd. The store is off of the Franconia-Springfield Blue Line Metro stop. People will tell you it's a five minute walk from the station. Don't listen to them. Although it is well worth it, you're looking at probably a twenty minute walk from the Metro to the store. Definitely doable, but a bit of a hike. I also have two minor complaints. The first is that people smoke right outside the front door, and the smoke often wafts into the store. That often makes it difficult for someone like me who has allergies easily triggered by cigarette smoke. The second is that I wish they would wipe the place down a little bit more often. It's probably hard because of the volume of people that are constantly in the store, but the floor is always pretty dirty and sometimes the tables are as well. I've occasionally had to wipe down my card sleeves with a damp cloth after playing there. However, I want to make it clear that these are minor quibbles, just little things to improve upon. Curio Cavern is definitely a great store. It is an awesome place to play Magic, and by far the best hang out spot in the area. In fact, it's the only place in the area I would want to hang out, knowing I can show up any time and day and find someone there who wants to play a game. This has become one of my regular places to play Magic, and I always have a great time there. read more

Not bad. Tiny, no miniatures to speak of, catering to the M:TG and designer boardgamegeek.com top 100 crowd. About 4 small tables, two slightly taller in back. Real estate is TIGHT in this place. Doesn't take much to crowd it. Staff guy was polite and knowledgeable. They may run organized events here but probably all cards. I liked it.. not as much as Huzzah Hobbies, but you can't beat the location. Parking is ample. I'd give it a 4 if he had more floor space and bigger selection, but he'll have what about 60% of everyone is looking for, so I can't be too snarky. Prices seem average to high in places but I attribute that to the rent. Worth a visit! read more

Curio Cavern - Storefront - Hobby Shops Near Me - Springfield, Virginia

Much to my delight a friend led me to Curio Cavern. I was overjoyed, another nice game spot in my backyard...the joy didn't last long however. It could be just me (or literally EVERY other female reviewer) but as a female I was completely and utterly ignored. I arrived before my friend so I was looking around at the games and not once was I asked if I needed help or even greeted! It this what passes for customer service now-a-days? Once my MALE friend did arrive (as a regular) he was greeted and talked to but still no conversation to the lady at the table. Lame. Not only is this place blatantly sexist, the tables are old and are too big for the tiny space that is this "cavern". It's also a bit dingy compared to what I like to see in a game store. I realize you might comfortable with this filth in your Mom's basement but as a wanna-be respectable establishment open to the public, I don't want to feel like I need to wash my hands after touching everything in your store. And their board game prices? HA! Just pop over to Amazon to save at least 15-20% on nearly every title they have. I'd return to hang out with my friend but I wouldn't dream of supporting this place by purchasing anything from them. read more

Decent store, but the folks who work here aren't too bright. They turned down a cash sale because someone had written on the money I had. It's still legal tender. (cf. Stamp Stampede & Where's George.)Their loss! read more

Probably the best LGS (Local Gaming Store) in the DC Metro area. It's clear that this place is run by gamers, for gamers. They don't try to rail you on prices or nickle and dime you on supplies or misc items. All staff members will set down to play with you or explain rules, etc and are very friendly. The space is small but it doesn't feel cramped, although I haven't attended a major event there (where I imagine space can get a bit tight). MTG prices are pegged to SCG prices (which are higher than most trader's value) but I can't hold that against a shop that needs to stay in business. Clientele varies from younger teens new to games to grizzled vets who've been playing DnD and Magic since they came out. Overall, I found the folks and the staff very friendly and helpful. I'd highly recommend new players head here to learn their game, particularly on an event night. There's lots to learn and good people to learn from. It just goes to show that loving what you do really does translate into the quality of your business. Hope these guys stay around for a good long while. The shop is about a 5 minute walk from the Metro, so its definitely accessible. Moreover, they run all MTG formats as sanctioned events (yes, even Modern!) so any MTG players can come and fight folks interested in playing. read more

I'm living in Fairfax for the summer and this was the closest place to me with Standard format MTG events, so decide to check it out and have been coming back on a regular basis. The place is very small but they get a lot out of it. About 75% of the space is tables for playing games, and they actually have a very good stock of MTG cards and supplies as well as some other CCG and board game stuff. Their stock is better than I've seen from many places with a lot more room, but the available space definitely limits what they can sell. When I have been there they have only had one employee working. Things can get a little backed up when trying to sign up for a tournament or purchase stuff. It takes one customer with a long buylist to cause a 5-10 min delay in ordering or signing up. While this isn't a huge deal, again there is little space to wait in line so it becomes claustrophobic quickly - especially for a large guy such as myself (6'5" 250 lbs). It's also hard to walk around anywhere. The first time I was here it was pretty stressful just because of this, though I've managed to learn to deal with it. I'm also pleasantly surprised that the place doesn't smell and appears to be very sanitary given how cramped it can get. That said, the other players here are very friendly and there's a good, welcoming, atmosphere about the place. It appears to be safe as I've observed people leaving their backpacks and decks on tables unattended for extended durations even when the place is packed. The events seem to always fire, at least the Draft and Standard MTG ones I've been to on Fridays. Their prize structure for FNM is a little different than most places I have been. They give store credit depending on your placement as well as how many players participated. That means it's different each week, but it rewards going undefeated more than places that do a pack per win sort-of thing. In seven or so events I have not yet lost more than one match a night and so I have spent $5 here for my first event and another $5 another event and that's been able to get me five or so additional buy-ins as well as probably $40 worth of cards and supplies - and I still have $20 or so left in my account. I am used to stores in Atlanta that either don't allow store credit to be used for buy-ins or don't have a store credit system and so you have to pay money to play (the store I regularly play at in ATL has a $10 buy-in or you can buy four MTG packs for $13.50 as FNM entry). So that is refreshing to be able to essentially go infinite. All in all, a great place to go hang out, play Magic, and buy/sell cards and accessories so long as the limited space doesn't bother you too much. read more

Without a doubt, a gamers shop. Curio does one thing, and they do it VERY well - they cater to gamers. And their customer service is top notch. Experience: Here's how I knew Curio was the place for me: I played MTG back in the 90's/00', but hadn't touched the game in years. I went to Curio on a busy Friday night to see about the state of the game. The place was packed for a Friday Night Magic tournament - literally, standing room only. The staff had there hands full, running a professional event for serious gamers Nevertheless, they took time to ask me if I needed help, and as I continued to pester them with 101-level questions, they stopped what they were doing, had a smile and a great attitude, and were nothing but all-stars. The staff knew darn well I wasn't going to spend a dime that night, but that didn't faze them. I plan on spending a good chunk of change getting back into the scene, and Curio has my business, without a doubt. Store: Small to medium sized for a game shop. Comfortable and clean, but definitely cramped and a bit cluttered during events. Could use a few extra stools/chairs. To be expected, I suppose (tough to lease sq. ft. that you aren't going to need during the bulk of your business hours). Location: Typical strip mall spot, right between a pizza shop and a Thai place (yeah, they knew what they were doing when they set up there...). Bottom Line: If you want to immerse yourself into a gaming world with a staff and clientele that is at the 'expert' level, then Curio is the spot for you. The staff will help you get (or stay) there, regardless of your experience. And they'll do it with patience and a great attitude. Top notch folks! read more

Curio Cavern in Springfield has decided to go for the money grab instead of handing out the collector boosters that were supposed to be a part of the preorder bonus with preordering booster boxes and thus they have lost my patronage and hopefully yours, too. read more

Curio Cavern - Hobby Shops Near Me - Springfield, Virginia

You will not find a better place in DMV to play magic. Great, friendly clientele, very helpful and courteous staff, and a genuinely kind owner. They also have a good stock of recent boardgames and LCGs. read more

Not the most friendly place... A hello would be nice. Girls play games to and I buy a lot of dice. There loss.

Great staff! Stopped by here with my date to look at their D&D mini's, and wasn't rushed or treated as inconvenient when I had questions. I'll definitely be making multiple returns. read more

They completely botched the War of Spark release for me: 1. When I pre-ordered two boxes I was told that the first 40 to PAY for a pre-order would receive the promo card so I let them charge my credit card. 2. On pre-release weekend I was then informed that the first 40 preorders (regardless if they pre-paid) would receive the promo card and their box. I was the 44th person to preorder (even though I was within the first 40 to pay since I paid weeks prior). Hence, I would not receive the promo card. 3. They didn't have enough boxes for anybody who was above the 40th preorder and I had arranged a Spark draft that weekend; it was so embarrassing for me. 4. The person on the phone told me "they'll discuss with co-workers and work something out" regarding the misinformation but when I came in a week later to see if there was some arrangement made there was none. I was so dispirited by the experience I just asked for a refund and decided to buy the boxes elsewhere. read more

There is nothing curious about this place except for curiously nasty odor that permeates. This cavern stinks worse then an ogres den. I decline to leave further regarding the condition of the restroom, except that it compares with that of high school after party.. Someone needs to hire a janitor. The high price tag on everything in this store is almost laughable..lets just say you would feel like Starcity games prices would seem reasonable after you left this cave.. There is nothing curious about this cavern except that smell.. read more

I'm a relatively recent transplant, but have been enjoying the greatness that is Curio Cavern since October. What a wonderful place! As someone who is, at times, somewhat closeted about their love of gaming, I found CC a warm and inviting atmosphere that fostered people of various levels of interest. On my first day in, I met behind the counter, David - a warm and inviting employee who has remembered my name every single time since that day that I have walked in the store. To me, this is a hallmark of fantastic service. I have primarily played MTG in this store, but the sheer variety of games I have seen played since walking in a few months back is staggering. If you think watching Tabletop is giving you a rough idea of what's out there you're right - but if you want to know all the great stuff that might slip in-between the cracks, walk into CC on a Saturday afternoon and behold. As previously mentioned, the sheer number of events dwarfs anything else in the area, and their rewards are more than fair without the possibility of going infinite. I can't speak strongly to the concerns of the females who have left reviews of question below. All I can say is that I have seen females appear weekly who do seem to have fun, however, admittedly, it is in much lower proportion to males (though, that's to be expected in gaming stores in my own personal experience). I can also say I have never seen a male in that store be inappropriate to a female, and I'm confident that if they were, something would be said. The culture there is primarily one of a semi-competitive, respectful nature - gender isn't (and shouldn't) be figured in. In closing, I hope to see you there. If you're a gamer, I think you'll be happy you found this oasis. Hopefully I see you at a Friday night draft soon! read more

There were very few board games available and the place had a strong body odor smell. Yeah, I've definitely been to better game shops.

Awesome LGS has everything you could need or want. Also runs daily/nightly events and the store employees were helpful and friendly as well!

Went in for the first time last night, great place for a beginner of any type of game. The guys there are very knowledgable about the product and more then willing to help out. I had about 10 guys helping me to get back into magic and talk about building decks. I didn't even play a game but was entertained watching others and getting the feel of the place. If you want a nice place to sit back and enjoy good gaming, good people and support a local business this is it. read more

Great local game store. I moved into the area and was looking for a good place for my SO and me to hang out. The people there were nice and all the regulars were fun to talk to. The prices are average but the prize support for competitions they hold there is AMAZING. This is on top of the sheer number of events they hold pertaining to magic the gathering (if you are into that CCG). I've not been back in a while due to finances, but I plan to back due to how amazing a card shop it was. My one gripe is that the shop is far too small for the number of people that go on weekends. This isn't something easily fixed so I can't really take a star away, but I'd love to see them move to a larger location some day. read more

I took my kids in because they wanted to learn to play Magic. Not only was I greeted by a very friendly person the second I walked in the door, he helped me get exactly what I needed. He didn't try to up-sell me or anything. I payed the exact same price there for two intro packs that I saw at Target and Amazon. I will definitely go back. They had a good selection of items, and a number of game tables. Haven't been there to play games yet. read more

For all of you ladies (and gents) out there, I would like to set the record straight...I am a *FEMALE* reviewer, and have been a frequent patron of Curio Cavern since October 2013. Service/Friendliness of Staff: The quality of service at this store is excellent; I was floored by some of the other reviews left by women regarding this subject. Whether all dolled up or looking like a bum in sweats, the staff at Curio has always been welcoming and helpful. Having spent a ton of time at the store playing games, I can confidently say that the store does not discriminate against different genders, ages, races, etc. Since the very beginning, I have always been greeted as soon as I arrive at the store, frequently even by name. The staff have always been super knowledgable and helpful--be it in choosing what type of game to pick, which sleeves are the best, which cards would work well in a deck you're trying to build, etc. At the same time, the staff are very considerate about letting people browse un-heckled, so if you want help choosing and/or ordering something, just speak up! Prices: To address one reviewer's comment about the stores prices vs. those on Amazon...any "brick & mortar" store is going to automatically have higher prices for board games because they have overhead costs that amazon would not because of the cost for renting/operating/staffing a retail location. HOWEVER, CC's prices for cards and board games are extremely reasonable and cheaper than other stores I've been to. Not to mention they frequently hold board game sales, where you can get games at those discounted rates without needing to get them off of Amazon. Furthermore, for every $20 you spend at Curio, they give you a ticket for their raffle, which has some awesome prizes--a nice touch! In terms of prices for events, it depends on the event--for MTG, entry fees are: $5 Standard/FNM, Legacy, and Modern; $15 for drafts (which includes three packs which you can take home), Commander/EDH is free! All MTG events (except for EDH) I've been to have also included prizes for the top players. Playing Environment: Curio's store is set up with plenty of tables and chairs for people to play games, and regularly hosts MTG and board game tournaments and events (there's a schedule posted on their website). Also, they have snacks and drinks available for purchase, which is really nice when spending long hours there for a tournament or doing back-to back events. Also, if hungry for a meal, you are welcome to order/bring in food from the restaurants next door! Atmosphere: Having been brand new to MTG when I first started frequenting CC, working my way up through attending many of their events, I was extremely grateful to see how welcoming both staff and players are at the store, for people of all skill levels. It is especially impressive considering that many people at the store are expert players, some even play (or have played) professionally. Whether a competitive player or a novice, CC has managed to foster an excellent playing/learning environment (yet again, even as a female, I've been treated with the utmost respect, and have never witnessed other women have any issues whatsoever). read more

It's hard to put into words just how good Curio Cavern is. And it starts and ends with the staff. The owner, Tom, has an amazing business. He and his staff are incredibly helpful and friendly, and are often able to help you learn a new game or get better with your current favorites (particularly MTG). There are so many "regulars" at Curio, and it's pretty easy to see why. Even on days or nights when there are no tournaments going on, you'll find regulars inside playing cards, board games, or League of Legends. This is, in short, the perfect local gaming store. I am completely impressed. read more