Tabletop Bookshelf, a tabletop gaming store that specializes in solo journaling games and features indie books and zines, held its grand opening celebration last month at 34 W Pittsburgh Ave. in Milwaukee, Wis. OnMilwaukee reported that owner Tom Gibes "had an inkling that his indie bookshop and gaming lounge... was creating buzz, but the turnout for the grand opening on Saturday exceeded his hopes."
"I was definitely surprised. I had some indication that people were interested, but I didn't expect to see 100 people in line," he said, adding Tabletop Bookshelf is "not quite a bookstore and not quite a game store. It’s a little bit of both mushed together."
The shop has community space for group game playing and events, but it focuses on solo games and solo journaling games. The store also sells gift items, plushies, classic card games, tarot cards, snacks, and beverages.
Although he played Dungeons & Dragons in college, Gibes was not a gamer while pursuing a career in retail and technology, OnMilwaukee noted. During the Covid shutdown, however, he returned to tabletop gaming and was inspired by the talents of indie writers, designers, and game creators.
"There are so many interesting writers and designers outside of Dungeons & Dragons," he noted. "Nothing against D&D, of course."
Although he originally launched Tabletop Bookshelf online, he noticed that people really wanted more opportunities to come together as a community: "There's definitely a desire for physical games and getting together to play them in person. This is not just a shop, but a place for people to connect and create together."