Bay Area Edition | January 2023

BUSINESS FEATURE

BY SAAB SAHI

GAME NIGHTS Third Coast Games oers weekly game nights.

Board games Popular titles include:

THURSDAYS

Superght Nemesis Happy Little Dinosaurs

Owner James “J” Womack opened Third Coast Games in September 2021.

Card games Popular titles include:

Metazoo Magic the Gathering Yu-Gi-Oh FRIDAYS

War games Popular titles include:

Various games are on sale in the retail space at the center of the store.

WEEKENDS

War gamers ponder their next move. The store oers space for customers to game.

Warhammer 40K Flames of War Gaslands Battletech

PHOTOS BY SAAB SAHICOMMUNITY IMPACT

Third Coast Games Friendswood game store oers family-friendly playing space E very hobby game store

role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, which led him to discover miniature war games and hobby board games, which he has played for decades. “This has been my hobby for 42 years,” he said. He opened Third Coast Games in September 2021 after he saw there were no nearby hobby game stores in the area. The store oers board games, cards and miniature gurines for sale. “There was not a place in this part of town that carries all of the dierent things we do,” James said. Hobby games are a way of bringing people together for James, which is why he was focused on making the store a comfortable

space for everyone, including women and families. “I wanted it to feel like some place that people would like to ... hang out and be here,” he said. The store also oers various game nights and classes on topics ranging from painting miniatures to learning new games. Most classes are taught by James, but some are taught by volunteers. Classes are typically free, he said. “I like having people in here playing games,” he said. The store’s two rules are to not be a jerk and tell a friend if you liked the store. “I think we provide the nicest, friendliest venue for people to play games [and] shop,” he said.

longtime tabletop gamer James “J” Womack had visited felt like a piece of the puzzle was missing, he said. So when his wife, Chandra Womack, suggested he nally open his own store after his game room began to overow at home, he readily agreed. Today, Third Coast Games in Friendswood aims to provide a family-friendly experience for gamers of all ages. James had been a teacher for 27 years at various public schools and is an adjunct professor at the College of the Mainland in Texas City. He started playing tabletop games in 1980, starting with the

Third Coast Games 3208 FM 528, Ste. 100, Friendswood 832-569-5986 www.thirdcoastgamestx.com Hours: Mon.-Thu. noon-8 p.m., Fri. noon-10 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun. noon-6 p.m.

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