Oddly enough, for one of the densest populated countries in the world, there are relatively few games stores here in the Netherlands. Granted; we are spoiled when it comes to travel, and anything over 1/2h is considered far away. But even with those standards, there are not many shops within reasonable distance, let alone nearby...
My local shop,
Bliek in
Breda has re-opened a little over a year ago across the street from where they were originally located. It was first and foremost a model shop, with a strong emphasis on model trains. At its heyday, most of the trains had gone, being replaced by (mostly GW) miniature games. the rest was made up of RC stuff and plastic model kits (huge selection). I was much dismayed when it closed, as there was no alternative in the city. In fact, the nearest was one city away, in Tilburg.
But like I said; it has re-openend last year and it now is more of a mix between hobby- and toystore. the back is fully given over to trains and modelkits, there is a side room which is divided between a small selection of GW and RC cars. But I basically only go there for paints, glues, plasticard etc, plus the occasional plastic kit for conversions or bits. Oh; they also have the very cheap Svezda 1/100 tank kits, which makes my entry into the Battlefront Tanks! game all the more convenient...
They also have a large section of Brio wooden trains, with a play table, so whenever I am in need of paints etc, I can take my little girl with me, and she can safely play there while I browse. The staff is very friendly (mostly ladies, because of the toys) and it has a real old school toy store feel to it. they even have a large model train driving around on rails hanging from the ceiling. It always reminds me of a (much) smaller version of the toy store in Home Alone 2...
For more serious hobby stores, I'll still have to skip town though. My favorite still is
Subcultures in
Utrecht. I used to drop by there back in the day when my (now) wife and I were still dating as she lived over there. It is a great little store, which caters to miniature gaming, role-playing, LARP, card games and board games. they do have a real ecclectic inventory, with something for everybody. I especially like the conversations with the staff, who are friendly and know their wares (all gamers, obviously) and the rummage box of miniatures on the counter. A box full of discarded minis, €1,- a piece. I got some fun models out of there. Also; clean, no smell and virtually no neckbeards.
Then there is this store in
Maastricht, which I stop by every time I'm in town called
Vlieg-er-uit. A little out of the way from the city center, and caters to a very odd range of hobbies, such as kiting, yoyoing, hackysack etc, as well as card games, board games and, of course, miniature games. their selection is limited to mostly GW, but the staff is friendly and I have fond memories of them, as they organized the first tournament I ever participated in (40K Doubles) back in 2005. And I actually won the overall painting contest prize , a GW paintbrush box, which I am still using today (just like the brushes).
I know there is a good one in
Zwolle as well, called
Gamesnstuff, but it's too out of the way for me. I hear it's good though.
Leiden used to have a store where I spent quite some of my time when I was still in uni, but apparently, it closed. There is one that looks ok, but I can't comment on it, as I've never been inside:
De Tafelridder.
I've been at this one store in
Hoorn once, when I was visiting family up north, and it was really nice. Again; friendly staff which did not scare off my family, and it caters to board-, card- and miniature gamers alike. Also; light and airy. It's called
de Spellenhoorn.
Oh; and when I used to live in
Antwerp (B), there was this store called
the Lonely Mountain, just around the corner of my apartment. It had all the hallmarks of a classic game store; densely packed, smelly, dark and not overly friendly staff. Still; it was a virtual treasure trove. However, I understand it is long gone (I lived there in 1996 and 1997) though, but apparently it has been resurrected in some form. However; whenever I visit Antwerp these days, I can't seem to be able to locate any game store other than the badly air-conditioned GW...
I'm sure there are many I have missed, but those are the ones I'm (most) familiar with.
So yeah; when you're willing to travel between cities, there
are plenty of stores, but most, out of necessity, cater to all matter of other hobbies and crowds...
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