Crazy Squirrel Game Store

Great store with welcoming and helpful service for your board game needs. They take care to build and foster the boardgaming community by hosting many Boardgaming & RPG meet ups. I’ve been going here for years, and it’s top notch.

Great store, they have good deals, great staff, and their weekly MTG tournaments are tons of fun. Probably the best gaming store in Fresno

This store has been a mixed bag of dice for me. On one hand, they are often over-​priced, but on the other, no place in town has such a great selection/​variety of games available. They have several gaming volunteers who are all great and polite. Workers on the other hand, can range from a four to a ten. They can be polite and definitely are if they either: recognize you, are familiar with a game they know about, or are in a good mood. I have dealt with I believe five of their workers before and two of them definitely fall within this dependent range. The other three have been actually quite helpful so one’s experience can differ greatly. (I’ve been here when the owner Jen, was in a bad mood/​not helpful/​rude and I’ve been here when she’s happy and has gone out of her way for me as well, so I guess this balances things out? I did not include her in my rating of the workers.)
My only other complaint (and I admit this one is more of an opinion thing) is that they seem to abhor business competition. Dirty glances and outright refusal if another store is mentioned. I understand business is business but I feel that fostering the gaming community would benefit everyone as a whole rather than just a single store and its followers.
While I am not a fan of the store, I have recommended it to people, taken them here, and spread knowledge about it because of my own belief in wanting to present as many options to as many gamers as possible.

Going to have to update it again and bring this score to 0 if I could. Employees are RUDE. Ordered a list for a deck I wanted and the guy with the beard just complained the whole time about searching for the cards. LMAO Im sorry I gave you $ 300 in business you prick. Ended up walking AWAY once he pulled all the cards and he called out to me asking if I was going to pay. Pay? I would rather order them all online and wait a week than to ever give this «store» my money. Public announcement to any new shoppers: STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE. They disrespect you. Look down on you. And worst of all: their items are overpriced. I only would go here because their items are «organized». Even thats not worth it. Avoid this place like the PLAGUE.

I have regularly frequented Crazy Squirrel for five years since they opened, and have never had a bad experience. If you are a casual or serious gamer you can find a welcoming store. It has a large, clean play area and strive to make the environment welcoming to all.

After reading a few of the previous reviews, I was a bit wary of heading into Crazy Squirrel. I was concerned that I, as a general consumer and not a hardcore «gamer,» might be treated with some prejudice or some of the poor service that other reviews have listed.
I was surprisingly pleased by my experience, But before I go on, I would like to address my previous reviewers.
Let me be the first to say (as someone who has worked in the service industry for eight years) that people should take reviews with a grain of salt: don’t review a human being for their days of mistakes and overwhelming stress. Before you make a comment about poor service, put yourself in that persons shoes: what good does it do them to give you bad service? Isn’t it possible that someone made some kind of mistake and they’re trying to pick up the mess for you as a consumer to enjoy your experience the most? They’re there because they enjoy games, so why would the purposely choose bad service? Give this young business a break, for crying out loud. Let’s be less critical, people, and lighten up.
With all of that being said… I absolutely loved my experience at Crazy Squirrel. In fact, I am going back later this evening with a friend to pick out a game for us to play. I told one of the service clerks the things I was looking for in a game, and he did his best to recommend a few options. I courteously declined a few of them, and then he did something that I personally think takes a lot of guts to do: he said that he wanted to let someone else help me that was more experienced. Let me tell you… That is TOUGH to do sometimes. But I will always appreciate honesty and a dedication to the best service possible, over someone who is going to waste my time.
After I found a few games I liked, I spent a good five minutes laughing and chuckling with the employees over game memories and experiences. I was treated like a long-​lost buddy, amongst friends.
And I haven’t even gotten to the game selection! No store in the world is going to have EVERY game… But the bases of experience were all covered to some degree, and there was always someone who knew the obscure game references I DID make. As far as I’m concerned, this place is the perfect place for someone who loves GAMES to go and visit and explore.
As I said before… I was so thrilled, I will be going back later this evening, as well as for every future Fresno gaming purchase I make.

I’ve finally had it with this store.
Short review: good selection and options, customer service steadily drove me away.
Several years ago, before I moved away from the Valley, I went into this plucky little store and met one of its owners, Scott. He was always jazzed to sell me things, especially the more obscure indie RPGs. I moved away with some sadness that the store seemed to be growing and I would miss out. I came whenever visiting the Valley, and when I returned home I made this part of my normal circuit of visits in Fresno.
The store has steadily grown; for the most part the selection of cards, board games and accessories are the best around. The RPG section goes through fallow periods, and then gets fattened up with goodies and is pared down again. Nonetheless it is generally the best place for gamers around in terms of selection, organization, parking, cleanliness, etc.
Despite my positive perceptions of the store, I feel unlikely to return in the future. After I first returned to the area I was often by here after picking up comics on Wednesday mornings, and would deal with a wonderful guy — I believe his name was Ryan. Enthusiastic, happy, quick to help. Then he left, and it has been bad since then.
I have had a variety of interactions with one of the owners, Jennifer, who has been at best aloof and often brusque; her demeanor may be the result of the clingy gamers I see following her about sometimes, or she’s very busy — who knows. Nonetheless, for a growing nice store she acts in a decidedly non-​warm manner. Twice in the last few months she has refused to order or even look up certain titles for me, claiming they are out of print. Each time I checked the publisher, discovered they were in print, and got them elsewhere.
The staff has taken a slide as well. I once came to get about 20 magic cards, and it took the dark-​haired girl behind the counter the better part of 2 hours to find them all. I didn’t mind the wait, but she punctuated every 10 minute period of looking with, «this is why people are supposed to order ahead of time online.» I felt so ashamed and chastised that I did not try to buy cards for a while. Today I sent an order in and came in a few hours later, confident and happy i had followed protocol. When I arrived the exasperated clerk huffed and acted like I had really put him out, making me feel supremely unwelcome and like a bother. I can’t win. The employee with the scruffy beard helps us well enough, but in any actual human conversation has been dismissive and almost snide with myself and my friends, and I am not sure why.
There are other frustrations, too; I found out today that my log of dice (which I earn with spending and redeem for discounts) was lost, possibly permanently. I have been appalled to see the $ 25 Cards against Humanity regular priced at 45 dollars, which I think is outrageous especially since many novice or initiate gamers would come looking for it and would be effectively ripped off. My cousin tried to order a book once and was told «no preorders» and then when the book was out was told «we are out of stock except preorders.» I tried to order a Pathfinder book and they told me they had no date for its release; I bought it a month later online, and the next day they had it on the shelf.
In a sense I feel the success of the store has made the employees feel a degree of alpha-​gamer status, and that has made them often unhelpful and unresponsive. I do not mind spending extra to support a local store, but I have no incentive to do so for one that seems so disinterested in my business. This is not a charity. So, I will move on.
Other customers may have better luck; when I do see Scott there, as I did when I bought Hillfolk, he was still enthusiastic and friendly. Too bad it is so rare there to see that. Good luck to other gamers, and maybe if they turn it around I will return.

Best and nicest local game store ever. Seriously! I love going here and buying from Fresno locals.

Very cool spot to find card and board games. The prices may seem high, but that is to be expected when the games they offer won’t be found at the big chains.

This is a pretty nice gaming store, super spacious. I just stopped on by and didn’t game with anyone so I can’t comment on the culture of the groups that game here, but a lot is definitely going on here. Just take a look at their big calendar on the wall.

This review is for game night. It’s a night where all the board game needs come together and play games! Its held on Thursday and oh my goodness I had a blast! Looking forward to coming back and shopping around the store for unique games ;)

I absolutely love this store. The staff is always friendly and always make great recommendations to those who are interested in games but not sure what to buy. They are also some of the easiest people to work with. I go there about once a week and I’ve always had a good experience. There always seems to be some sort of gaming going on in their game room. I would say that their prices are really high but I don’t mind putting my money into this store to see it continue to prosper.

If you are into gaming and live in the Central Valley of CA, this is a great store to go to. Clean, reasonably priced, large variety of board/​card/​miniature games, and a huge gaming area that is clean and neat. The staff is super friendly and knowledgable. They hold regular game nights and tournaments so call to find out!

Long time board game/​miniatures player that moved back into town. Was surprised to find that a new gaming store was around. Staff has been helpful, friendly and knowledgeable — even when I’ve been dithering without buying something for 20+ minutes. They support a pretty wide variety of games and keep a public schedule up listing the events they have every day. The ability to occasionally drop in and play a board game we bought or brought in with my wife is fantastic.

Great community, friendly owners and a nice clean environment. You couldn’t ask for a better store.

I’d like to write an update because crazy squirrel just expanded their store. It’s huge, beautiful, has an amazing selection, and their game room (as well as store) are at least double the size they used to be. This is the best place you could ever get any designer board games, card games, etc.

I have been here two times in the past few weeks. Once with my girlfriend to buy a few things on one of their Friday Night Magic events, and once by myself to buy a game I was interested in.
The first time we went in they had quite a few people in the game room playing, and a fair amount of people on the side where they make the sales. Even though we had a big transaction and it took a while, they never made us feel rushed, and everyone who worked there was extremely friendly. When I went yesterday it was right after they opened and they were just as friendly.
They have some good customer loyalty type things, where when you buy a certain dollar amount you get a dice, which can then be exchanged for a larger dice, and then you can trade that in for store credit. I don’t remember exactly how it works and I am probably making it sound more complicated than it is, but basically if you spend money at the store you will eventually get some back in store credit.
We didn’t participate in any of the Magic games they had going on (although I would certainly be interested!), but it seemed like they had a pretty good turnout or a regular friday night event, most of the tables seemed to be pretty full.
They also sell some snack food items and beverages, although I don’t know if you can take them in to the game room. But its a nice option if you perhaps had to leave work and go straight there to make it in time.
All in all this is a pretty nice store, and I hope to frequent it more often. I like that they offer some sort of event multiple times a week, which for the price you pay versus how long it lasts, really seems like a good bargain if you ask me.

This store is exactly what I was looking for. My 10 y/​o son and I recently attended a tournament for a game that we had only been playing about 1 week. There were nearly 60 people in the tournament, and we were both treated both fairly and as though we were welcome. The shop is small, but you can tell that it’s a great place. Every employee I’ve encountered at the shop is extremely helpful and knows a good amount about a wide variety of games. From great solitaire recommendations to fun family games.
I WILL be going back.

What a great game store. It is a store that builds community.
Seems like every day there is something going on. It is a great place to meet friends and make brand new ones.
The staff goes out of their way to make sure they help me when I come in (kinda feels like Norm from Cheers). I have had an out of town guest tell me how great this store is and how jealous he is.
CSG is a wonderful place to go and support. You should try it out for you’re self

After reading the negative reviews posted about Crazy Squirrel Game Store that I frequent so often and the wonderful people who run it, I decided I would not let them stand unanswered.
Scott and Jennifer run a phenomenal game store in Fresno, conveniently located on Bullard Avenue next to the 41 off-​ramp. They carry a wide selection of games, including board games of every type, card games (Magic the Gathering, Munchkin, etc.), table-​top role playing games (Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder and more), and miniatures for war games.
In addition, the store has a customer rewards system that allows you a free game day pass token for every $ 10.00 that you spend. You are also able to trade this tokens in during their anniversary month (which I believe is October) for store credit.
Besides the sheer selection of merchandise, the store has a staff of friendly and knowledgeable employees. Any game store can carry good games, but not all game stores have a staff that are attentive to the needs of the customers or so ready and willing to help.
My advice to any gamer who lives around Fresno or who might find themselves stopping by in Fresno: ignore the negative reviews and check out Crazy Squirrel Game Store for yourself to see what a great place it is, and the great people who work there. It is well worth your time and you will be more than pleasantly surprised.