By Stephanie Starks | Staff Writer
The Game Closet is Waco’s biggest non-electronic game store, located at 3721 Franklin Ave. and open every day from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
After its former owner moved, veteran customer B.J. Williams bought the store in June 2025. Rather than focusing on digital technology, The Game Closet focuses on board games, collectibles and community events.
The Game Closet offers a wide range of games.
“We sell board games, card games, role-playing games and miniature games,” Williams said. “From things like sci-fi and fantasy to miniature board games, the Game Closet has something for everyone. We also have board games that take [customers] into different realms, and we also sell card games in everything from silliness to romance.”
While teaching at Midway High School, Williams said he presided over its strategic gaming club for a few years.
“Some of my students told me that the strategic gaming club is what got them through high school because it gave them an outlet to meet people who are interested in board games,” Williams said. “The former owner mentioned how important this place is for people and [working full-time at a game store] is a way for me to serve others through the games I love to play.”
The Game Closet has been open to Waco residents since 1992. Many customers still remember when The Game Closet was originally called Four Color Comics.
“For some people, it means the lifelong friends that they have known for years,” Williams said. “For others, I have found that it’s people who used to come here when they were younger. They have come back as adults to The Game Closet because it’s a place they remember from their childhood, and they have a chance to reconnect with people they have not seen in years.”
Williams also wants to help welcome people who are new to Waco and the gaming world.
“A family started coming into the store because their son got into a game called Magic: The Gathering,” Williams said. “His parents got his grandparents to come in and start playing. We want to help people find games and find people to play those games with.”
Robin Chavarria, an employee at The Game Closet, grew up going to the store and cannot remember a time when he would want to work anywhere else.
“I enjoy the relationships that I have with my customers,” Chavarria said. “Even if they are not well-versed in one area of games, I know a little bit about everything to be able to engage in conversation. Part of working in a game store is seeing how the people of Waco understand pop culture,” Chavarria said.
Chavarria played his first game of Magic: The Gathering at Four Color Comics in 1996.
“It took me forever to find cards because there was no place in Waco selling cards until I came here,” Chavarria said. “There was a whole big wall of booster packs, and I did not know what to pick. It all looked fantastic to me.”
Chavarria recalled saving money in 1996 to buy a pack of cards at Four Color Comics so he could practice without borrowing his friend’s cards.
“Looking back, I did not pick out very good cards, but that’s how I was able to meet Dequan Watson, who supported me as I competed in my first tournament,” Chavarria said. “Even though I got disqualified, [Watson] taught me how to make a good deck.”
Chavarria has made a point of helping every new player who comes into The Game Closet.
“People helped me become a better player by connecting with me, and I want to bring that to people who want to learn,” Chavarria said. “I want people to trust me to find cards at a reasonable price, or if they already have cards, I can help them turn that pile of confusion into something that they want to play with.”
Peyton Fry, a customer at The Game Closet for five years, said the store “is what I think of when I think of home.”
“This place is the reason that I have people to talk to,” Fry said. “I graduated in 2020, so many of my friends got disconnected because of the pandemic. I decided to visit The Game Closet to make friends with other people who are also interested in games. The people here have completely changed my life.”
Fry said he appreciates how open Williams is to listening to new ideas from patrons.
“[Williams’] ability to enact change and willingness to improve the store for the better has allowed The Game Closet to flourish way beyond what anyone expected,” Fry said. “About two years ago, I was saddened by news of the store closing. Now, The Game Closet seems to never have a day where we did not do better than the last.”
