Games Workshop

Ah, Games Workshop…
After a 15 year long sabbatical (give or take a year and an oppressive and crippling reminder that I am an ancient), I decided that Warhammer 40,000 was worth trying to get back into. With this life-​altering decision made, a few inquiries were entered into my personal Google search bar and I embarked on a treacherous quest to alleviate my sagging pants via parting my wallet with its fairly meager contents. After a few visits to this ‘shop during over the course of a week or so, I can say with some confidence that my consumerist demands have been met and satisfied completely, and the waistline of my pants no longer threaten to meet my ankles. (That last bit is true on more than a few levels and meanings. Thanks, English.)
I was mildly anxious of encountering a level of mockery or condescension of my ignorance of the hobby due to such long spans of time dimming my memories in my already dulled mind… But this was all for naught. The manager of the store turned out to be an extremely friendly, personable and helpful individual who proved more than eager to provide assistance in helping me restart the hobby habit — going so far as steering me toward less-​costly alternatives for some of my potential purchases. I doubt I’m alone in appreciating when a shopkeep extends such customer care — it is a rare pleasure to deal with the combination of cognizance and genuine helpfulness. There was no pressured sales pitches nor attempts at upselling. I also randomly encountered a band of fellow customers who graciously offered to show me the ropes of gameplay, patiently tolerating my less-​than-​firm grasp of the basic mechanics and game flow as I fumbled my way through a learning match. I am certain that the heretics will enjoy destroying my valiant army in future dealings. For the Emperor, etc.
As I am woefully lacking in inherent artistic talent, the store manager also rallied readily by bolstering my pitiful attempts at painting my new miniatures, offering some guidance and lessons on such matters. I never felt like I was being condescended toward for these gaps of knowledge during this instruction, nor made to feel like I was wasting his time due to being in need of some help or by asking questions. It really created a friendly atmosphere for the shop — something that is honestly quite barren in most stores today — while never losing that sense of professionalism. So, in other words, a relaxed place to get yo’ hobby on while being confident that any questions will receive an honest and knowledgable answer. Which is pretty flipping spiffy.
The prices are exactly the same as what Games Workshop dictates them to be in their online catalog, and the selection is expansive — the shelves were abundant in both the quantity and quality of what was on offer. Though there was one, or two kits not on display (I did not ask if they were in the back), the vast majority of what I was looking for was available and easy to locate. A few items are only offered online, but I was guided toward a station which provided easy access to ordering them with my choice of delivery options (anything besides in-​store free shipping is obviously heresy, brother.)
While one can scour the interweb tubes for items that are a few dollars less than MSRP, such deals usually wind up being the same in cost when shipping is factored into the equation, and doesn’t offer the benefits shopping in store provides. Keeping your cash where you live and where you game also helps insure that there are places to game where you live in the future. The Imperium of Man musn’t fall.
One final thing worth mentioning, in my opinion, is that, on crossing the store’s threshold for my second visit, the shopkeep readily greeted me with my name. Not something I expect from people I do business with on a retail level, but a pleasant surprise most of the times when it does infrequently occur. Mostly people forget names… Mostly…

I found this hobby haven while looking for a Christmas gift for my 12 year old son. I believe this was the best gift I could have given him. Not only did the gift itself elevate his interest in assembling models and painting, but Game Workshop provides a fun club environment that allows my son to expand friendships and hang with people with like interests. Not to mention, the games provide strategic challenges in a group setting (a nice change from seeing him sitting in front of his computer). Both Ray and Kier are so great with hosting the games there, and it’s obvious that they enjoy what they do. As they illustrate painting and gaming techniques with patience and enthusiasm you can tell they truly care about their clients/​customers. This has been a weekly go to place for my son for the past four months and a few of his buddies now attend regularly as well. I definitely recommend checking it out!

Standard store with GW’s iron fist of control over the game. The only difference between this store and the others is the local gang that comes here, and the store worker, Ray. The local group of players («regulars») and Ray are some of the most helpful and friendly players I have ever met. I am making it a habit to come in here more often.
Only other caveat is the price of models. I love fresh new units in box, but GW’s standard prices are high. Get your paints, brushes, dice, rules, codexes and experience in shop, but I recommend picking up your models online off Ebay if you’re on a budget.

They helped me turn my ugly Ettin into a work of art. You can’t beat Citadel products for painting miniatures. The manager Ray is always helpful and knows everyone by name. Oakbrook Plaza Games Workshop is the best!

This is your typical Games Workshop store retailing the different miniature based games of their company such as Warhammer Fantasy & Warhammer 40K. They have space for you to play here too and they have regular days of the week when they focus on different games in the Games Workshop lineup.
The dude that works here has to be the friendliest person I have EVER met in a hobby shop. I haven’t played Warhammer in probably a decade and he was READY to fill me in on what was going on with the current set.
I am a quiet look-​at-​everything shopper and he knew exactly when to give me a little space to look at things on my own. When I was there he was interacting with a handful of people that were playing 40K and polishing them up on some rules when they had questions.
If you’re into Warhammer this is the best place I am aware of around Thousand Oaks to go to. If you are new to Warhammer or want to get into a game where you paint & personalize a set of miniatures to play with they will be glad to get you started.