Just Awesome! The Board Game Store

Just Awesome is closing. That’s just terrible. I’m genuinely saddened to see it go away. It was one of the happiest places in SF.

I miss this store very much! I wish they could have converted to a web-​only store so we could still support a local e-​business.
Just Awesome guys, I hope you are able to re-​open shop in another area of San Francisco! (the Sunset has a lot of empty storefronts, FYI)

Very sorry to hear this place is closing down in April. It’s been a lot of fun and is a unique addition to San Francisco’s retail market.
I guess it’s just not possible to keep a board game shop open in a place with such high overhead costs as SF. I would think this might thrive in a smaller college town in the Midwest someplace.

Is it too cheesy to admit that Just Awesome is just awesome?
I happened upon Just Awesome by accident. The first time I wandered in, I didn’t end up leaving for almost an hour. A woman came in and asked for a recommendation for a game she could play with her teenage grandkids. The owner, Erik, asked if I wanted to try out a few possibilities with this other customer. I walked out of the store with my new favorite ice breaker game (Spot It). And thus began my love affair with Just Awesome.
I love board games, but I don’t consider myself a serious «gamer.» I enjoy party games, strategy games, trivia games, and those based on pure luck. The store has a broad variety for all levels that I interact with.
The games are grouped by category/​level, making it easy to explore new games if you see one you already know on the shelf. There are tables where you can demo many of the games to see if you like them or if you’re just looking for a fun afternoon. And of course, Erik always has a recommendation and a speedy explanation of the rules. He will also order a game that he doesn’t have in stock, if you’re looking for something specific.
Beyond the friendly staff and great range of games, Just Awesome really encourages the community to interact with the store. I’ve attended several of the Thursday/​Friday Game Nights for the 21 and over crowd. It’s a fun way to spend an evening — learning new games, meeting new people. Plus, I usually walk out with a new game — smart business.
Although you can find many of the games cheaper on Amazon (my husband continues to note), I feel good paying a little more to support such a wonderful local store that provides great service and fun activities and truly wants to be a part of the community.

This place is just awesome! I’ve never been in a board game store, and I absolutely love board games. When they told me I could open up the game and test it out I nearly died. I could have stayed in there all day.
Not much to say. You have to experience it yourself. And anyone who complains about the prices, needs to re-​think that statement. They are so nice and friendly that the experience should be worth the few extra dollars you may spend (compared to Target or such).

Okay, I get it. Amazon is cheaper. Why buy a game in a store when you can save money on Amazon?
Maybe because as detailed as online reviews can be, it doesn’t beat actually playing the game to see how it works. And at Just Awesome, I can try out any of the games they have. So instead of buying an neat looking game, taking it home, and being unhappy with it, I get to open it in the store, look through the materials & game play, try it out, then decide if I want to buy it. This has saved me on more than one occasion.
I also get really good suggestions from the staff: I wanted some games for my niece & nephews (ages 5 – 10), and they pointed me to Spot It, which was wildly popular during Thanksgiving and kept away any tantrums. If the staff doesn’t know about a game, they’re honest enough to tell you so. But they are very good about getting a sense of what your needs are and what you’re into, and finding the right game for you.
«But what about the stock?» you ask. Well, it’s true, a brick and mortar store will run out of stock, especially after the holidays. But they will let you know when they restock a game you want, and even keep it on hold for you for a week with no pressure to buy it.
Did I mention the other benefit of a brick and mortar store is the community? I can walk in here while running errands just to see what’s new. They have a family board game evening on Saturdays. They even have a 21+ BYOB game night on Fridays, people!
So, Amazon? Good. Supporting a local business that is actually trying to improve the sense of neighborhood community and has awesome games to boot? Best.

Very knowledgeable and helpful staff. The best place around to buy games.
You can get some games cheaper online, but the extra money pays for the great staff, free gameplay nights, open examination copies, etc.

Just like the name of the store implies, this store is Just awesome! And so are the employees! I would also like to note that this store has been the first location where I utilized the « Unilocal Check-​in Deals» that some businesses offer upon check in. The deal was a one time use only and it was for 20% off a game.
I had been obsessed with buying Trivial Pursuit Masters Edition for my Mom. I called here and while they did not carry TP they did offer to help me find a trivia game from their inventory. I figured, It’s Christmas Eve, I gotta find SOMETHING for my Mom and fast. I went in and the salespeople explained every trivia game to me. And not like read the back of the box to me explain. It’s like they have actually played all of the games. If they haven’t they do a really good job faking it. I must say, I would have never found this store without Unilocal.It’s definitely a SF gem that needs to be shared! They gift wrapped my purchase of Wits & Wagers for free (which is super fun!) and I also bought another little tin can matching game (I forget the name right now) for myself.
Love, love, luffff this store. The staff was really friendly and knowledgable and a very relaxed no pressure atmosphere!

Me: Is this game essentially Risk but more advanced?
Clerk: Yes, it’s just like the original but with…*excited*
Me: Okay, I’ll take it. It’s for my husband… lol
Clerk: Anything else you need help with?
Me: Well, I’m looking for a card game, and it’s played with red chips (coins) and it’s pretty much a betting game… I know it’s German, and I played it about 3 years ago now.
Clerk: Hmm…*points to the wall* Is this it? «No Thanks» card game.
O.o
o.O””‘
O_​O!
Me: OMG. Yes, I think so *reading the back of the box* Holy crap, such an EASY name and this whole time I couldn’t remember it!
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — -
Location = small but somehow very roomy, and there is space to play board games in the back room.
Service = friendly, helpful, and just nice!
Prices = reasonable. It’s typical BOARDGAME prices. (However, I looked on Amazon and price checked and they’re actually better than Amazon, and that’s hard to beat.)
Currently, they’re offering free gift wrapping for the season, so take advantage. :)
Yes, I’ll be back.

Do you like to play games???
It’s time like this I wish Unilocal would allow 10 STARS!!! This shop is a gem, tucked away in West Portal! The owners (Shane and Eric) are 2 really cool people… clearly love what they are doing and have created a marvelous store and bend over backwards to make everyone who crosses the threshold to feel welcome and part of the fun!
How many shops that sell board games allow you… no…ENCOURAGE you, to open up the boxes and PLAY the games at the store before you decide whether you want to buy it and take it home? Before this place, I could think of no such establishment!
It’s a well lit shop with vintage board games on the walls, table and chairs galore for you to come in, browse, pick up a game and play! You see lots of families here, but as the word gets out you ‘ll see people of all ages stopping by! Just Awesome hosts themed game nights (Thursday is BYOB game night for the adults) they offer incentives (buy 2, get 1 free on the games… hello, holiday shopping anyone?) They even have a party room in the back… and its almost always booked with parties where the celebrant could be 4 or 40!!!
Shane and Eric will answer questions or just set right down with you and teach you how to play these games (and if necessary, step in as a referee during heated games of Forbidden Island and Kill Dr Lucky!)
True, you may be able to find lower priced board games at Target or Toys r Us, etc… but there is NO way you will get even a scintilla of the customer service, good vibes and F U N as you would if you visited Just Awesome!!!
Run, don’t sashay, over to Just Awesome… the most aptly named shop in town!

Just Awesome! could be my favorite place in the city. It is fantastic! You can go in and try out games before you buy them. Also, there are lots of themed game nights where you can connect and make friends easily over board games. Who doesn’t love that? The owners, Shane and Erik, are so knowledgeable and helpful; they make going into the store so much more like a fun experience and less like a trip to a retail store.
I hosted my birthday party in the backroom, and it was such a treat for me and my group of 15 friends. We were able to bring in some food and drinks and play board games. Staff members came back and played with us, which was such a treat!

This store is FANTASTIC! No where else can you find such a great selection and super friendly and knowledgable staff!
Shane and Eric know all the games. Tell them what you like and they will recommend 2 – 5 new similar games you are going to love… and then teach you how to play them in the store. Everything is available to demo complete with a personal run down on the rules by one of the owners!
Yes, it is not the cheapest place to purchase games but these guys are providing a service no one else does. Support them!

Think of all the fun you use to have when you would play board games when you were younger. You can still enjoy that today with the whole family!
If you are looking for a fun evening for the whole family to enjoy then I highly recommend the Family Game Nights. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a good time and this gives you the chance to try out the game before you buy it.
Family fun night is always a very great time and we have met a lot of interesting people. The kids even made some friends who now get together for playdates. You don’t even have to worry about feeding everyone either, they have pizza available to all that attend.
Game nights are fun for all ages. I have 2 younger children ranging in ages from 6 – 11 and 2 older kids ages 18 – 23 that enjoy the events.
I think this is a great place to bring to the community and I am adding them to my Sara D’s Family Approved list.

The name of the store pretty much sums up how I feel about this place. They have so many board games here that I want to buy and play that I have to restrain myself mentally from not buying up the entire store.
Probably one of the biggest deterrence from people buying board games is trying to learn how to play and not really understanding what the hell is going on. That’s not a problem here, because they have an Open Box policy. If there’s a demo available, you’re more then welcome to open up the box, learn and play the game, and decide from there whether you want it. If the rules are too complicated, Erik and Shane will go over it with you. Their explanations of the game really teach you a lot in the short time you’re playing.
Board game nights are really fun here as you get to meet like-​minded people who want to play the same games as you. I’m naturally VERY shy but Erik and Shane, and quite a few regulars, are pretty open to play with everyone and make you feel welcome.
All of that combined with the location of the place makes me a loyal customer. Forget Amazon, I’m shopping here from now on.
And if all that didn’t convince me, one thing did. They actually had Bang! The Card Game in their inventory, and that game was hard to come by. I got lucky when I found my copy of the game online, but they had it. It sold out quickly, of course, but they had it. This store is pretty damn awesome, indeed.

I’ve always loved games. But growing up I was seriously intimidated by my local game store. The staff were all young guys in their teens and twenties who acted too cool for school and yet never knew anything about the games I was interested in. There was usually no one in the store who had even played the game I was thinking about buying. I would joke about how I wished there were a «games library» somewhere, but the idea of being able to try a game out before buying it was inconceivable, so I’d just have to drop a ton of cash and hope for the best. In the back of the store, there were always groups of guys playing games, but they seemed like the special in-​crowd, and it was unthinkable that I would ever join them.
Just Awesome! is the antithesis to all of that. Just Awesome! is the balm on my childhood game-​store trauma. Just Awesome! is the best game store I’ve ever set foot in — they’re doing something no one else does, and it really, really works.
Reasons why Just Awesome is awesome:
#1 — You can play the game before you buy it. If you like, usually one of the staff can help you learn the rules or even play with you.
Aren’t they worried people will be less likely to buy games if they aren’t forced into just buying things blind? Nope, because
#2 — They are seriously excellent at matching the game to the player. From European strategy games to party games to family games, they have games for everyone from the tiniest kid to the geekiest grown-​up. And because they are knowledgable about all of their games, they’ll help you find the perfect match.
#3 — Best game nights in town. How could they not be, with all those open copies of games to play? BYOB adult game night on Thursdays is a total party and a highlight of my week. Everyone is so friendly, and the owners are excellent hosts — you can arrive alone and you will have no trouble finding people to play with. Plus the store’s calendar is always stuffed with other community events, parties, game-​designer signings…
#4 — Specials, discounts, coupons, deals, prize-​packs, and savings galore! Sometimes I wonder if these guys have a full-​time employee who does nothing but think up fun new ways to offer discounts and contests to win free games.
#5 — It’s beautiful in there. The game stores of my youth were dark places with towering shelving and mysterious bins of figurines in the back. Just Awesome has gorgeous light, charming vintage games on the walls, and a bright, pleasant room in the back for customers to try out games.
#6 — Erik and Shane, the owners. The reason Just Awesome is head and shoulders above any other game store is because the owners work really, really hard to make it that way. They want JA to be a community hub, not just a store but a genuine place where people who love games can gather and meet up. They are knowledgeable and easy to talk to, and as I said above excellent at helping you find the games of your dreams. They are gracious hosts for every game night, making sure everyone feels included and is trying out the games they’re interested in. They just generally work their asses off to ensure a quality experience for anyone who comes in.
Yeah, it’s often cheaper to buy games online than at a real store. But an online place isn’t contributing to my community, putting all of their energy and resources into creating a space that is welcoming, easeful, and fun, where I can try games and learn about games and feel totally comfortable no matter what kind of games I like and what kind of gamer I am. Just the sheer value of the entertainment I get from game night — which is waaaay more fun than a $ 10 movie — has already more than made up any price difference for the games I buy. When I shop at Just Awesome I get to be part of something that I believe in and want to support, something that gives way more to me than I give to it.

This is an absolutely fabulous store. My boyfriend and I wandered in 30 minutes before closing, but you wouldn’t have known that from the level of service we received. Kind, courteous, knowledgeable, and super helpful, they not only let you look through an open box, they let you play the game before you buy it. They helped us find a fun and exciting game for 2 that could scale up easily for more players. Then another… and another…
They also have game nights for adults and birthday parties for kids. Oh, and they wrap your game if it is a gift! Oh so awesome, Just Awesome.

Not gonna lie, I was a Facebook fan for months before I ever stepped foot in this store. I live not to far away from West Portal. Somehow I managed to go to Ambassador Toys (more aimed at kids) but never went the extra block to find Just Awesome. Lemme get y’all straight here, it really is «just awesome!»
Store comes complete with knowledgeable and helpful staff, a few tables, plenty of board games, family game night (Saturdays) and BYOB adult game night (Thursdays).
That’s right folks — BYOB adult game night. Life can’t get better than this!

Sorry, Noe Valley! We have your Just Awesome! Board Game store, and we’re not giving it back!
This place is like the anti-​Game Stop. Or the Auntie Game Stop, reminiscent of a time when you didn’t need batteries or a WIFI connection to play a game.
The store is roomy and well-​laid out, easy to navigate by both adults and wee ones. They have a great selection of games for all ages and interests, and some fun memorabilia on the walls.
But the best BEST part is that their «open box» environment. You can sit down at a table and play any game before you buy it — how great is that? I’ll tell you how great. It’s JUST AWESOME!
I’m proud to support local businesses like this who offer advantages over chain stores and websites who, despite all of their bells, whistles and low prices, can’t even come close to the experience of the real thing. Plus, a friendly smile goes a long, long way.

I recently took a couple friends from the suburbs to this local game store in Noe Valley and we had a really great time catching up with each other over learning some new games in the back room. They have a huge selection to try and I felt like a little kid, I couldn’t wait to open up all the boxes to check them out.
The owners are personable and friendly and took the time to introduce us to some fun games to try while we browsed. I was excited to find out about their after hours adults gaming nights and that they were open to having folks stay to geek out over games in the back room and patio. It’s definitely a nice alternative to hanging out in bars.
Then, suddenly only a couple weeks later and without warning… the shop disappeared.
I felt sad. Confused. Bewildered.
Apparently, a month later they have resurfaced. However, not in my neighborhood but in West Portal. Once again, sad. Confused. Bewildered.
Great news for the folks in West Portal, disappointing news for those of us in Noe Valley who enjoyed their shop in our midst. Good luck to them and I hope they continue to be a success. Although not so secretly, I hope they decide life is better on this side of the hill and they come back to 24^th street!

Just Awesome! is run by 2 young fellas who have infectious enthusiasm for board games old and new.
On a recent grey Sunday afternoon, the back room was full of families trying out board games, and a fresh pot o’coffee was being brewed. The kids were engaged and having fun. How cool is it that the owners have created a community center within a retail space?
Their «open box» policy means that you can test drive any game they sell. If you walk out of Just Awesome! without a smile on your face you are a grumpy mcgrumpypants who probably never spent hours playing Monopoly or Candyland.