Chi and Brandon began the dream in 2014, slugging away every weekend at a humble farmer's market booth to create the warm environment for card and board games we now cherish. Although our founding couple has moved on to focus on their budding new family, ShoeBox Games & Cafe continues to strive to be a friendly, welcoming environment for nerdy Calgarians of all ages to chilax ( Yah, that's right, I said chilax ) over table top games and snacks.
Whether you're looking for a hang-out after school with your buddies, a place where you can pick up a new board game for your kids, or a night out with close friends over foods and cards, ShoeBox Games & Cafe is the place to be. We'll provide the games and addictive snacks and desserts. You can bring your family board game nights, kitchen table top adventures, and epic tournament games!
Whether you're looking for a hang-out after school with your buddies, a place where you can pick up a new board game for your kids, or a night out with close friends over foods and cards, ShoeBox Games & Cafe is the place to be. We'll provide the games and addictive snacks and desserts. You can bring your family board game nights, kitchen table top adventures, and epic tournament games!
Services
Ever walk into a store full of uber-competitive players and cliquey staff and not know where to start? Worried about your kids hanging out at the stereotypical grungy local games store? Not at ShoeBox Games! We pride ourselves on our welcoming environment, a conscientious design that fosters sportsmanship among pro and beginner players alike.
Reviews (15)
Stevemac
Jan 06, 2022
Report
I only recently discovered ShoeBox, it's a great store, filling a perfect niche of tabletop gaming. Went in looking for some very specific card sleeves, and the owner went above and beyond to order them from the supplier. Fantastic customer service, and looks like a great place to hang out and play some games with friends and other patrons.
Sean Law
Dec 16, 2021
Report
Shoebox has the best prices for just about anything games-related in the city. This store has been the first place I check for MTG singles and board games for a couple of years now. I have never once felt like I've been ripped off when buying or selling card singles, and they will almost always make sure the prices are accurate when selling them to you, without having to ask.
I mainly play EDH and cEDH here during weekly events and the community is incredibly friendly and inviting. I am immuno-compromised and I always feel safe playing or shopping here with their adherence to covid restrictions
I mainly play EDH and cEDH here during weekly events and the community is incredibly friendly and inviting. I am immuno-compromised and I always feel safe playing or shopping here with their adherence to covid restrictions
Tracer
Dec 13, 2021
Report
I would give them a 0 but because that's not an option I give them a 1. I called in last night to be in their tournament and they didn't put me down on the list and when I came in this morning they favored first come first serve. This is very upsetting. If they could actually listen to what their customers have to say that would be great!
Jason Ngo
Dec 12, 2021
Report
Another excellent trading/collectible card shop! Board games and gundam figures/paints are also available here but aren’t the main focus. Great, up to date selection of Pokémon and YuGiOh sets/singles among many other TCGs (e.g. Magic, Dragon Ball). Knowledgeable staff (especially Kevin) who are able to help locate exactly what you’re looking for. Good prices as well. Below average parking space which is slightly better now after a recent renovation. Highly recommended location!
James Lange
Nov 18, 2021
Report
Kelvin Lee
Nov 15, 2021
Report
This is going to be the same review I left on Google, but I figure it's more likely to be seen here. So I haven't been back since COVID started and today was the first time. Just thought I'd pop in on my way home during a lunch break. The person who was working the counter barely spoke to me. No actual warmth or even passing interest in customer… service. While I did manage to pick up a few singles that I was looking for, it didn't make me feel good to drop any money here. Considering this was the place I first started playing magic again, where I purchased all the 2018 Commander decks,
Ingrid Wong
Nov 13, 2021
Report
Carolyn Ly
Nov 11, 2021
Report
Staff have always been responsive to questions and Kevin is always helpful and knowledgeable. I love that Shoebox display figurines and collectibles by local artists. Shoebox also offers a selection of food items (pizza, smoothies, etc. - I haven't tried yet but will once restrictions ease up again!) and they strive to be active and involved in the community by hosting local tournaments and other events. Good place with good people.
Rachael Amero
Oct 16, 2021
Report
I get some of my pokemon card collection here (the have loose cards and packs)
The owner is fantastic and when I brought my nephew in (he is about 9) the owner was patient and listened to him rattle off pokemon stats. He even supported him in building his collection! (he really wanted a pokemon tin and they had some extra so he threw in one when he made his card purchases)
Things like this, which probably seem small and insignificant leave such an impact on kids and without a whole lot, he has a customer for life.
Thank you!
The owner is fantastic and when I brought my nephew in (he is about 9) the owner was patient and listened to him rattle off pokemon stats. He even supported him in building his collection! (he really wanted a pokemon tin and they had some extra so he threw in one when he made his card purchases)
Things like this, which probably seem small and insignificant leave such an impact on kids and without a whole lot, he has a customer for life.
Thank you!
Linds & Mike
Sep 11, 2021
Report
Just visited yesterday evening for the first time with two of my children - as a parent I was incredibly impressed.... but more importantly, my kids were thrilled. Staff were friendly, helpful and patient with my overly-excited-working-to-remember-manners boys. We ended up meeting Patrick, the owner, who was supportive of my kids quest to learn about all things Pokemon and helped set them up with extra cards / sleeves and coins to help encourage them to play the actual game. There is no doubt we'll be back - many times over.
Max Steel
Aug 10, 2021
Report
All right twice now I’ve had a lousy service you could ever experience at a retail store. A while back I went in there to pick up some product that just arrived and buddy told me to come back because he hasn’t open the box and stocked it yet, product that is in high demand and I got there early to make sure I got some and he wouldn’t even sell it… to me until he got around to opening the boxes. Then just recently I went in to see if they had DIGIMON and Dragon Ball cards. There was nobody else except the one guy working and I could name him by name but I won’t here
Jackie Robinson Feddema
Jan 19, 2020
Report
Stuart Ross
Jul 16, 2019
Report
Primarily a Magic player, I showed up last week to play Yu-Gi-Oh for the first time in 15 years for fun in between set releases in MTG. The atmosphere and player base was very pleasant and it made the event very easy and stress free to play in, especially since I was basically relearning the game. Looking forward to coming back for future events.
Patrick W. Hynes
Jan 26, 2019
Report
Betty Gwoh
Nov 26, 2018
Report
