Do you enjoy board games and support local stores? Here’s a quick guide to the best board game stores in Augusta, GA! (And some near Augusta, too)
Table: Best Hobby Board Game Places in Augusta, GA
| Features | Google Reviews | |
| Cardboard Castle Games | – Augusta’s Flagship FLGS (friendly local gaming store) – Largest in-store Gaming Area – Community Focus. See Events Calendar – Largest Selection – Website lists inventory and an online order option is available – Late store hours for night owls |  380+ Reviews |
| Express TCG | – North Augusta’s FLGS – Focus is on Trading Card Games’ sales and plays – Good selection of classic board games | 30+ Reviews |
| 2nd & Charles | – Amazing deals on used board games and good deals on new – Robust selection of both board and card games – Most expansive offerings outside board games too (comics, RPGs, video games, books) | 2,830+ Reviews |
| Augusta Book Exchange | – Good board game selection – Best selection on different lines of miniatures and paints | 370+ Reviews |
| Barnes & Noble | – Sales that offer great discounts on a range of board game titles – In the Augusta Mall | Google Reviews: |
| Augusta Gamers Trade/Sales Facebook Group | – Over 400 members in the area – Best Facebook Group for those who want to trade, buy, or sell locally | N/A. Check Facebook Page for more information. |
| Books-A-Million (Aiken, SC) | – Recently reopend in Aiken and offers board and card game selection | Google Reviews: |
| Firefly Toys & Games (Columbia, SC) | – The FLGS of Columbia, South Carolina – 1 Hour Drive from Augusta and worth checking out | Google Reviews: |
Best Hobby Board Game Stores in Augusta, GA
If you are a hobby board game enthusiast, you’ve likely come across the acronym “FLGS.” This stands for “friendly local gaming store.”
As people dive into the hobby, it’s both incredibly helpful and meaningful to be part of a local gamer community. And your FLGS is the best way to get plugged into a board game community.
There are some wonderful FLGS’s in Augusta, GA. Some of the recommendations below truly offer that FLGS experience. And others are straightforward places to locally buy or sell hobby board games.
1. Cardboard Castle Games
Cardboard Castle Games is one of the best board game stores in Augusta, GA.
It’s a flagship friendly local gaming store (FLGS) for Augusta.
- spacious gameplay area
- true community focus
- largest and most comprehensive game selection in the area
The store is located off Washington Road in the Mullins Crossing Shopping Mall. Shortly after opening its doors in January 2020, it rapidly became a local favorite.
I’ve always been greeted warmly and made to feel welcome, even if I was just browsing.
The store’s owner and the entire crew, are passionate about the hobby and go out of their way to assist customers. Whether you’re a veteran gamer looking for the latest crunchy Euro-style game, or brand new to the hobby.
They’ll show you around the store and help you find what you’re looking for.
And if they don’t have a product in stock, you can ask them in person or via a Facebook page message to order the title for you. They’ll let you know ASAP if the title is available through their distributor and available to order. If it’s not, they’ll point you in the right direction to purchase.
Gameplay Area at Cardboard Castle Games
If you walk straight through the front door and go past the shelves and register, you’ll find a large tabletop gaming space. Occupying about a third of the entire store, this gameplay area has almost a dozen foldout and boardgame tables.
The space can host about 60-70 people at capacity.
You’ll find friends gathered around playing Magic the Gathering. Or you could pick one of the board games from Cardboard’s game library and meet some new folks.
Inexpensive snacks and drinks can be purchased too.
But if you need to grab a meal, Cardboard is conveniently located to a lot of restaurants. Here are some favorites I recommend trying out for either pizza, tacos, burgers, or for convenience in the Evans area.
Community Focus
With an open gaming area and awesome staff, the community aspect naturally follows. Like with any space, if you become a regular, you get to know the people.
It takes time though. Cardboard Castle facilitates this further by hosting a range of events during the week.
- Dungeons & Dragons Adventures League
- Pokemon, Magic the Gathering, Star Wars X-Wing, and Wargaming Tournaments
They also have Board Game Day on the weekend. This is for those looking to meet fellow board gamers. You have the option of bringing your own, purchasing a game in-store, or playing one from Cardboard Castle’s library for free.
Board Game Selection
The selection of board and card game titles is by far the best in the CSRA. Whether you’re looking for the latest Kickstarter or the second edition of Great Western Trail, Cardboard Castle has hundreds of game titles to choose from in the store.
If they don’t have it, they’ll place an order for you!
Additionally, locals will sometimes sell their board game collections to the store and Cardboard Castle will post this on its Facebook page, allowing for some excellent deals.
Location: 672 Mullins Colony Dr, Evans, GA 30809
Events Calendar (Magic the Gathering, Adventures League, Pokemon, and much more!)
2. Express TCG
Express TCG is a newer board game store located in North Augusta. And it’s the FLGS of the area!
They have a focus on Trading Card Games like Pokemon, MTG, and Yu-Gi-Uh!
However, they also have a board game night and a good selection of hobby board games. And if you enjoy Warhammer or D&D, you can find leagues there as well.
Location: 616 Edgefield Rd Unit 150, North Augusta, SC 29841
3. 2nd & Charles
2nd & Charles’ main focus is new and used books. But the store has an impressive selection of board and card games.
The board games are somewhat spread throughout the store. But the bulk of them are in the middle of the store near the records and CDs.
I was hesitant to buy used board games (no shrinkwrap) at first. Given all the small components that can get lost. But I’ve never had an issue here buying used board games.
After buying the game King of Tokyo, the pieces were all there as I checked against the rulebook. If components or pieces are missing, 2nd & Charles should allow you to return the game.
For events, check their Facebook page as they are announced intermittently. Prior to the pandemic, there would be occasional Magic the Gathering or other weekend game events.
Location: 2834 Washington Rd, Augusta, GA 30909
4. Augusta Book Exchange
The Augusta Book Exchange opened over 30 years ago and has gradually expanded its offerings from solely used books to comics, board games, cards, and roleplaying games. It’s located off Gordon Highway,
The owners were incredibly helpful when I visited. And Augusta Book Exchange has a great selection of board games. Additionally, they carry numerous lines of miniatures and paints for RPGs.
However, the store itself is not designed like Cardboard Castle to be a true FLGS, complete with gameplay area and a host of gaming events.
But if you’re looking for a board game or miniature, this is a good spot to check out!
Location: 1650 Gordon Hwy, Augusta, GA 30906
5. Barnes & Noble
You’d be right to question why Barnes & Noble made this list. However, B&N has hopped aboard recently for the Golden Age of Board Games.
Located in the Augusta Mall, you can find an impressive selection of board game titles here.
Although the selection is not as expansive as Cardboard Castle, B&N will occasionally have flash sales where you can find excellent deals. Its well worth checking out!
Location: 3450 Wrightsboro Rd, Augusta, GA 30909
6. Augusta Gamers Trade/Sales Facebook Group
The Augusta Gamers Trade/Sales Facebook Group is active and has several hundred members. It’s a great resource for those looking to trade, buy, or sell used board games in Augusta,
Games, miniatures, and RPG books can be found here. Well worth joining and perusing if you prefer to to buy or sell locally!
Tabletop Game Shops Near Augusta
7. Books-A-Million
Out in Aiken, you’ll find that Books-A-Million has reopened its doors and is the go-to for hobby-board games. If you cannot find the title in store, try ordering via the Books-A-Million national website and having it delivered locally!
Location: 1650 Richland Ave West, #195, Aiken, SC 29801
8. Firefly Toys & Games
Firefly Toys & Games is the FLGS of Columbia, South Carolina. It’s only a 50-minute drive from the Augusta area and worth checking out!
Located Here: 672 Mullins Colony Dr, Evans, GA 30809
Conclusion to Best Board Game Shops In and Near Augusta Ga
Augusta has some amazing board game stores. There aren’t as many to choose from as Atlanta. But that’s okay. In particular, check out Cardboard Castle Games or Express TCG.
