On a recent Saturday morning the Tabletop Gaming Center is buzzing. Not just with the clatter of dice or the shuffle of trading cards— though there's plenty of that —but with a deep sense of belonging.
Now celebrating its 15th year, Tabletop Gaming was originally affiliated with the ConnectiCon convention in Hartford. Today, it’s an independently-owned hub for game lovers across generations and backgrounds. Heather Napier, the store’s publicist and Digital Programs Coordinator, is one of the driving forces behind its evolution.
“We’re not just a game store,” Heather says. “We’re a community center—open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.—where kids come after school and adults wind down with Magic: The Gathering or Dungeons & Dragons. But most importantly, we’re a safe, welcoming space for everyone.”
Inclusivity is more than a talking point here—it’s baked into the store’s culture and branding. “Our staff is diverse and our community is too.”
The store features dedicated kids’ tables, often led by a team member with a background in social work. These age-appropriate sessions help children learn social rules, teamwork and problem-solving—especially important in the role-playing games they run, like Dungeons & Dragons. “We’ve seen real transformation,” says Heather. “Parents tell us their kids—especially those who are socially awkward or anxious—have come out of their shells here.”
Despite being immersed in an increasingly digital world, the demand for in-person play hasn’t waned—in fact, it’s grown. “We’re booming,” Heather says. “There’s a nostalgia to board games, sure, but also a hunger for real connection. We’re not trying to compete with video games—we’re offering something they can’t: human interaction, shared storytelling and laughter around a table.”
To meet people where they are, Tabletop Gaming Center has embraced digital tools in its own way. They run a YouTube channel featuring live role-playing sessions and game tutorials, helping reach new and distant audiences while still championing the in-person experience.
Their events calendar is packed. Monday and Friday board game nights, Pokémon leagues for kids and adults, Magic: The Gathering tournaments, and more. Some games are familiar—Ticket to Ride, Catan—while others are indie darlings from Kickstarter campaigns and boutique publishers like Asmodee. Their vast inventory, lovingly dubbed “The Vault,” means most games are on-hand, or just a quick order away.
“When people ask why we’re ‘being political,’ I always push back,” Heather adds. “This isn’t politics—it’s people. Human beings deserve to feel safe and respected. That’s what we’re about.”
What’s the long-term vision? Heather smiles: “To keep building a space where every human—whether a kid just discovering Pokémon or an adult who’s been collecting cards since childhood—feels like they belong at the table.”
In a digital world hungry for real connection, Tabletop Gaming Center proves the most powerful move you can make by just be showing up, rolling the dice and sharing the adventure with someone else.
Tabletop Gaming Center
741 New Britain Ave, Newington,
Phone: 860-436-2213
Online: tabletopgamingcenter.com
Store Hours:
Monday - Thursday & Saturday: 10 a.m.- 10 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Tabletop Gaming Center is now one of the largest stores of its kind in Connecticut, with plans to grow thoughtfully, including expanding educational programming. This summer, it will continue working with local libraries and community centers like Elmwood in West Hartford, teaching kids the basics of role-playing games—and communication skills.