Lincoln Square Couple to Open Game Store and Playing Space

Aileen Bishop waited anxiously as her contractor uprooted an old stage in a shop at 4546 North Western Avenue in Lincoln Square.

Under the stage was empty and unexciting, but it brought Bishop one step closer to starting her own game shop, Wanderers’ Refuge.

Bishop and her husband are active gamers, and have always dreamed of owning their own store. They hope to be open by the end of October. 

But Wanderers’ Refuge won’t be just retail. Bishop wants to create an inclusive space for people to play board and card games. The store will also host weekly events and tournaments.

Bishop said she wants to create an environment where everyone can feel comfortable. Young, white males, she said, have long dominated the gaming culture.

With a store full of warmer colors and a feminine bent, she wants to make sure women and men of all ages and races are included.

“Right now, there’s this sort of nerd renaissance and it’s cool to be a nerd,” Bishop said. “But somehow the gaming culture remains limited. As a middle-aged female, I want a space that’s inclusive, that you feel comfortable in your space and playing your game.”

Bishop and her husband have been longtime Lincoln Square residents and were waiting for the perfect location. Safety for women walking to and from the store was a priority.

The former children’s consignment shop is located a block from the Western Brown Line station and next to two major bus lines—the perfect location, Bishop said.

The store will carry all of the standard Wizards of the Coast products as well as other games by smaller publishers.

“We definitely want to focus on local folks that are making homebuilt games and give them an opportunity they wouldn’t have otherwise,” Bishop said.

Less intense gamers can find dice, cards and other gaming accessories.

Stay up-to-date with Wanderers’ Refuge and other new businesses by signing up for our free e-newsletter.