Game Keep

This is an excellent place for getting board games as well as card games. For such a small shop they have an impressive collection. They also host gaming nights where you can learn about more complex games with other enthusiasts.

I have to say that I was pretty impressed by this place. I don’t go to game stores very often but recently I started hosting a D&D night and for the first time I needed a miniature (my last group didn’t use maps). Anyway, a friend and I went to all the game stores in the area and couldn’t find what we were looking for. He wanted a Dwarf fighter and I wanted an Elf fighter. After checking all the stores we could find near us and feeling the defeat of possibly never finding our characters, a member of our group suggested the Game Keep. At first we were skeptical because it was an hour or so from where we lived, however I am very glad we decided to make the trip. We finally found them! I was very excited as soon as I walked in. This store was everything I had imagined it to be. It wasn’t messy but wasn’t spotless. It wasn’t too cluttered but it had a variety of different things. There was so much to look at in such a little place and the best part was that the people who were tabletop playing at the store were in a completely different room of the store. Which made it a really nice experience. I hate going to these stores and having to walk around tables and ask people to scooch their chairs in and such. Not to mention the distraction of it all. For them and us. But this place was obviously decorated and set up by a true tabletop gamer. Loved it!

Here’s the thing– they have a nice selection of games. One could even say that it was impressive, which is nice. My issue with this place is everything else. The staff (man behind the desk) is not knowledgeable about the games, doesn’t offer suggestions, and he seems more bothered that you’re taking up his time than purchasing from him. Thanks to the wonders of Amazon Prime, hobby store like this need customer service and a nice atmosphere in order to thrive. He doesn’t have either. I have no desire to buy from this place because it doesn’t seem like he even wants our business.
Now, let’s take a minute and discuss the atmosphere. I refuse to go in if I’m wearing sandals. I really don’t think the guy knows what a vacuum cleaner is. I’m not a clean freak, but it was obviously in need of a polyamorous relationship between Hoover, Windex, Clorox, and Lysol. The place was gross. So gross in fact that I was dared to use the restroom. I refused and my blatter hated me. I’ve used port-​a-​johns, I’ve used public restrooms in rural Mexico, and in rural dives, but I refused to even open the bathroom door. That should tell you something.
If cleanliness and decent customer service are not important to you, then I’m sure you can find what you need. They seemed to have a steady crowd playing games in the back who must have adjusted their expectations or considered dirt part of the charm. Good for them. Anytime it is mentioned that we should stop by, I politely decline.

I have been here plenty of times and I have always found it to be a great place to get all of your role-​playing needs filled. They have been willing to order anything that I asked for when I requested and have been up to date on all of the things I needed. As long as you are looking for board games, pen and paper and models this is your place. If you are after videogames though, you might want to keep on going.

Certainly one of the better Game Stores in the Middle Tennessee area. I’ve been here several times over the years and have always been pretty satisfied with the selection.
The prices are perhaps a bit high compared to on-​line, but its a friendly atmosphere and worth a visit if you are looking for Role Playing goodies.

I went in looking for used Wii games for my ever youthful mother in law, but apparently failed to read the fine print. Or at least notice the castle logo on the sign. This is a place for the Dungeon and Dragon crowd. That much I can give that place. They had hoards of graphic novels, strange multi sided die, varying versions of Monopoly, and lots of little fairy and dragon figurines. If that’s up your alley, this place is worth a stop in. You’ll love the selection, and the staff was very helpful. They asked twice if we needed help finding anything.

There aren’t a lot of stores where I can say I’ve purchased something at every visit. Game Keep is one of the chosen few.
Overlooking the shop from the counter, the owner is friendly and talkative and while he’ll always tell you what’s new, he’s never pushy. The shop is perfect for exploring, always something new around the corner. Books of online comics like Order of the Stick, role-​playing game reference books, discs for frisbee golf, Warhammer figures, the wackiest card games you’ve never heard of and dice for days. Everything your inner gamer geek could want.
I usually come out of there with new dice, which you can buy singly or in matched sets. All are reasonably priced. Another thing I appreciate is expansion packs for games like Gloom are always in stock.
Hermitage is a little out of the way, but it is definitely worth the trip and there is always something new and fun to try.