As both Magic and Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) have gained popularity in the mainstream in recent years, those long-running games are leading a resurgence of tabletop gaming. While many people play at home with their friend groups, others choose to play in larger events, tournament, or casual play days at stores like Gamers’ Haunt. 

“In a time when a lot of gaming and socialization has moved online, it’s more crucial than ever to have ‘third spaces’ where people can gather to have fun and to feel seen and appreciated,” said Charla Schlueter, Gamers’ Haunt’s owner. “We are in the lucky position to not only be able to provide the games that people love, but to give them a place they can think of as their own to enjoy them and meet other enthusiasts. Our new location lets us do both of those things better than ever before.”

Gamers’ Haunt’s new location is over three times the size of the Merrimon Avenue location they operated out of for the last 14 years. It can now comfortably accommodate over 60 players inside at its tables—in addition to several outdoor tables and two dedicated war-gaming tables indoors. 

The expanded space has also made it possible for the Haunt to more fully support games beyond what it has in the past. Rows of shelves are stocked with RPGs both popular and niche. Other card games like Riftbound and Star Wars Unlimited will have dedicated event days on the weekly calendar. Warhammer and similar games have a new home in downtown Asheville, with several tall displays of miniatures, terrain, paint, and tools.

The new location even sports a fully-equipped RPG room with a sliding dungeon door that groups can rent. That rental can be for just the table and private space or come with access to the many RPG sourcebooks, terrain, and miniatures stocked inside.

On Saturday, July 11, Gamer's Haunt will aim to show off many of the new offerings and types of games customers can find at the new location. Sunday, July 12 is dedicated to Magic: the Gathering, the trading card game that revolutionized the industry back in 1993 and is Gamers’ Haunt’s most popular game and event focus. 

On Saturday, July 11 from 1pm to 5pm, tables will be set up for customers to try out or learn about new games with local experts. Those games include:

• Warhammer 40K and Killl Team

• RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons, Pirate Borg, and Dolmenwood

• Riftbound, the League of Legends card game

• Sorcery: Contested Realm card game

• Star Wars Unlimited card game

On Sunday, July 12, Magic players are invited to come out and play Commander, the game’s most popular format, all day. 

• Three booster drafts of different Magic sets will be available for the special price of $15 per player while spots remain open.

• Gamers’ Haunt will be raffling off a copy of the Secret Lair “Goblin Storm” commander deck

• Similar to Saturday’s Learn to Play” time, from 1pm to 5pm tables will be set up for customers to try out new Magic formats they might not have had the chance to play before, including Standard, Modern, Premodern, and Pauper—and newcomers don’t need to bring a deck of their own to play!

In addition, Gamers’ Haunt’s hours will be expanded. On Mondays and Wednesdays through Saturdays, the Haunt will be open from 11am to 10pm, and from 11am to 7pm on Sundays.

Source: Gamer's Haunt.