This article was written in partnership with Old Guard Games.
Old Guard Games opened Memorial Day weekend across the street from UWM at 3132 N. Downer Ave. The 4,000-square foot space formerly housed Panther Bookstore, but sat vacant for years before owner Ben Checota decided to renovate it into his dream business.
Checota, a long-time gamer who grew up going to Napoleon’s in Shorewood which closed in 2005, honored the beloved shop with Old Guard Games. The name “Old Guard” is a reference to Napoleon’s group of elite soldiers.
Old Guard Games sells wargames like Warhammer 40K and Star Wars: X-Wing; Magic The Gathering and Pokémon card games; Catan and Terraforming Mars board games; Dungeons & Dragons and other role playing games; hobby supplies; dice; books; plushies; classic strategy games like chess and backgammon and more.
“I don’t think any other local store does it at this scale in size or variety,” says assistant manager Lee Johnston.
Old Guard Games is just as much of a community gathering place as it is a retail store. It hosts open plays and tournaments and encourages people to bring their own supplies into the store. There are dozens of tables throughout the emporium for gaming sessions of all kinds as well as a lower-level space that features a soundproof room for streaming, a terrain library, storage lockers and more tables.
Plus, when the weather permits, there is outdoor patio seating for al fresco gaming.
“We host events for as many of the games as we can,” says Johnston. “Of course Magic and Warhammer, but also (less popular) games like Betrayal at House on the Hill, Clock Tower and Bolt Action.”
Gamers sign up online or in person, and some of the sessions have a fee whereas others are free.
Old Guard Game's art collection is an extraordinary mix of historical and fantasy-style art including full suits of armor, statues, shields, helmets / masks and paintings. Much of it is from the personal collection of Checota, a health care marketing executive.
Tabletop role-playing games and miniature-based wargames became popular in the 1970s and have grown in popularity since. Thus, the customers at Old Guard Games range vastly in age and demographic. Plus, more women than ever are involved in gaming which was primarily a male-dominated hobby.
“The popularity is definitely a generational thing,” says Johnston. “My dad introduced me in the ‘80s and I’ve played ever since.”
Old Guard Games has experienced a very positive reception from Milwaukee and beyond. Being across the street from a university is part of the success, but Johnston says people have traveled as far as from New Jersey to check it out.
Johnston says that pop culture phenomena like “Stranger Things” where characters play Dungeon & Dragons as well as board games; and podcasts like the tabletop roleplaying-themed “Critical Role” have recruited new, larger audiences.
So for those not in the know already, what do so many people love about these games?
“Each game has its own draw, specifically with role-playing games. It’s going on a communal adventure with friends and being able to create a new story,” says Johnston. “It's collaborative and it’s social. It's a lot of fun.”
Old Guard Games is open Monday-Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
