Last Thursday night, I had a chance to stop by "The War Room" in Norcross, Georgia during a business trip.

This is a VERY large hobby shop in a modern shopping center located just off of I-85 with easy access from most of north Atlanta. There is ample parking in the well-lit shopping center lot.

The gaming store is the size of a small department store, and is sectioned into two major segments. The front portion is the retail space and the back is the gaming area.

In the retail section, The War Room offers an extensive line of fantasy and military miniatures, a large library of used and new military history books and reference works, latest rules and scenario books for leading game systems, aisles of models and plastic kits, wargaming terrain and mats, and paints. They also have a large line of accessories (buildings, tree kits, dice, preformed hills, etc.). Display cases hold used and new painted armies, figures, and structures. They carry many wargaming periodicals, including Wargames Illustrated, The Courier, and others. There is also a long shelf of Avalon Hill and other military board games. The War Room carries a complete line of Old Glory figures, as well as other brands. There are couches (new) and tables to lounge, chat, relax, or check out reference works.

In the backroom, there are perhaps 20 tables for miniature gaming. Thursday night was bustling, with 30-40 gamers. Most of the action seemed to be fantasy (Warhammer, etc.) although an ancients battle was in progress. There were also knots of people playing RPG games and collectible card games. They regularly feature military miniature games, and had a large bulletin board with gaming opportunities.Lighting is good, and there are plenty of chairs. Although the room was filled with gamers, there was plenty of room to move around and observe the action without disturbing each game.

The War Room is located at 2055 Beaver Ruin Road, Norcross GA. They are in the Indian Village Shopping Center. Directions from Atlanta - take I-85 north from downtown to the Beaver Ruin Road (Georgia route 376). Make a left (west). Within a half mile you will see the shopping center entrance. Their telephone number is 1-770-729-8588.

This store is WELL worth a prolonged visit if you are in the Atlanta area for business or pleasure.