Game Universe North

The first couple of times I stopped in to Game Universe, the employee behind the cash register (and lap top … and cell phone …) didn’t say a single word to me while I walked around the store. I thought that was both odd AND rude. I also wondered if I had stopped in during Five Finger Discount day, since it seemed I could grab a $ 40 game and leave the way I came with out being noticed. During my third visit, a different employee was much more AWARE of her surroundings: we received a «Hello» as well as a «Goodbye» in addition to helpful and quirky chatter.
Their selection (of games, game expansions, game pieces, other nerd gear, etc) appeared adequate to me, including an expectedly large amount of space dedicated to Warhammer (I call it Borehammer), though the prices were no better than what I’ve seen elsewhere or on the internet. As a serious specialty store, these guys (and their peers) definitely know what to ask. But so does Barnes and Noble, who offers many of the same games, and I’d much rather patronize these little guys.
So it’s lucky for Game Universe that they’re relatively near to my house; otherwise I wouldn’t have gone out of my way to return after being ignored during my first lackluster visit. Ultimately for me, having this business nearby will let me procrastinate a little more around the holidays when it comes to buying for my nerdier friends. It’s cheaper online, though. C’est la vie.

Of the three Games Universe locations, this one is my favorite. It’s got a good selection of designer board, card, and strategy games, along with some dice and miniatures resources.
They stock a copy or two of a solid selection of the new designer game releases, and take requests for special orders when they can do so through their distributors.
But what’s best about this store is the layout. The space has a great open gaming space for gaming events and social gatherings. It’s rare to not see at least one gaming group there playing on the multiple tables on a weeknight. This is what sets it apart from the others. It’s the best retail gaming space in town at present.
And the ownership and management of the store work with local game groups to host events in this space at no cost to the groups. That results in regular co-​sponsored events here with meetup groups like the Milwaukee Company of Gamers (MilCog).