THE DALLES — Brick City & Games, a locally owned game and toy store in downtown The Dalles, has been named a finalist and runner up for Hobby Shop of the Year, a national recognition honoring outstanding independent hobby retailers.
The Hobby Shop of the Year award celebrates stores that excel in customer service, community engagement, and creating welcoming spaces for people to gather, play, and connect. Brick City & Games was selected as one of three finalists from tens of thousands of hobby shops nationwide, highlighting the store’s impact both locally and within the broader hobby industry.
Founded in 2023 by Leslie and Jay Wilson, Brick City & Games has become a community hub for LEGO builders, tabletop gamers, trading card players, and families of all ages. The store offers new and used LEGO, video games, Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, Dungeons & Dragons, Warhammer, and other tabletop games, along with a free and inclusive play space. Brick City & Games also hosts weekly organized play events, birthday parties, and community game nights.
“This recognition is incredibly exciting and meaningful to us,” said Leslie Wilson, co-owner of Brick City & Games. “We’ve always believed that a hobby shop should be more than a retail space — it should be a place where people feel welcome, supported, and connected. Being named a finalist reflects the incredible community that supports our store!”
Winners of Hobby Shop of the Year were announced at the GAMA Expo Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, on March 4. The GAMA Expo is a national industry conference hosted by the Game Manufacturers Association, bringing together hobby retailers, publishers, and manufacturers from across the country.
Brick City & Games is also known for its strong community partnerships, supporting local nonprofits, youth organizations, and programs that use games as tools for learning, creativity, and social connection.
For more information about Brick City & Games, visit the store in downtown The Dalles at 318 E. Second St. or follow Brick City & Games on Facebook (@brickcitygames) and Instagram (@brickcitygamestd).
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