The Games Gauntlet is a locally owned Laramie business where tabletop gamers can gather to buy and play a variety of tabletop games. Originally established in 2010 in Laramie, the Games Gauntlet is located at 2133 E Garfield Street and is open to the public for purchasing games and free play space.

When asked about the services they provide, the co-owner of the Games Gauntlet, Shane Severs, says, “We provide pretty much everything for tabletop gaming, so board games, miniature games, role playing games, and card games. We provide all of those products for sale as well as play space to play everything.” Just a few of the many games sold and played at The Games Gauntlet are Magic the Gathering and Dungeons and Dragons, as well as smaller card games and popular board games.

Because of the challenges that the Covid-19 pandemic has brought on to many local businesses, the Games Gauntlet is unable to hold any tournaments, demos, or large group sessions. While this has reduced business, the play space in the Games Gauntlet is still open as well as games still for sale with the notion that people can enter the building at their own risk.

In terms of mask mandating, Severs explains, “We are following city, county, and state federal guidelines. They have not required us to mandate masks, but about half of our customers still wear them by choice.” All Games Gauntlet employees wear face coverings to create a safe environment for their customers, and customers are allowed a socially distant table to play their games at their own discretion.

“Our play space is fully open now… the companies who make the games are not allowing sanctioning of any tournaments though,” Severs says. The play space has been shrunken to keep people as far from each other as possible, and only about a third of the tables usually used in the play space are made available for gamers.

The Games Gauntlet is open to the public every Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 10PM. On off days, at risk customers can make arrangements for curbside pickup of purchases, delivery of purchases, or private play space by appointment.

“We are still open, the play space is here,” Says co-owner Shane Severs. “We encourage everyone to be as safe as possible, a lot of our customers sometimes just come by to hang out because they get cabin fever… Humans are social creatures, we have a need for that, even the most hermit types.” To learn more about the Games Gauntlet, visit https://www.facebook.com/GamesGauntlet/