Modern Boardshop is a new take on the hobby game shop located in the historic Box Factory in Bend, Oregon’s Mill Quarter District. A place to enjoy a craft beer and play a great game. We have a growing library of games if you want to try something new or you might join us for one of our regular gatherings, workshops, or events.

This is our story… who we are and how we got here.

The Story So Far

Tabletop games have always been a part of my life. The strategic challenges, the sense of grounding, and maybe more importantly the camaraderie that can only be had sitting across the table from another person over a good game. As a kid, I would watch my Dad and the neighbor engage in some fairly competitive games of chess for long hours into the night. My Grandmother and I didn’t see each other often but when we did it usually involved a game of Scrabble. I first played D&D in the late 80s but eventually moved on to miniature gaming when I was introduced to the games Battletech and Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader. We can blame stompy robots. Many years later I discovered Eurogames looking for a way to spend time with my wife and my daughter.

Opening a game shop was never something I thought I would ever do.

That is until I left a teaching position at a state university. Rather than continue down an unrewarding path that was not fulfilling its promise, I rather wanted to spend more time with my family; to live where I could explore more of the outdoors; to enjoy more of the little things like a good beer and a rewarding hobby; and to create a career that would allow for all of these things.

In January 2015, my wife and I sold our house and moved to the high desert of Central Oregon to start something new.

The Vision for a Game Shop

We began with the simple idea that a modern game shop should have the best tabletop games in a great environment. Casual, clean, well-designed, and laid-back. A friendly, welcoming place to discover something new or pickup an old favorite.

A place for good company, good drinks, and good games.

Modern Boardshop is a specialty tabletop game and hobby store bringing a wide selection of modern high-quality designer tabletop games, hobby supplies, and locally handmade goods to Central Oregon.

The Staff and Crew

Brian Evans, Co-Owner & Shopkeep
As a former art professor, Brian has taught classes on woodworking, welding, and digital media. This experience, much like an MFA, is not really all that useful. While mostly a miniatures game guy, being a long time Warmachine collector, Brian’s current board game picks include heady Euro-strategy games like Terra Mystica, Five Tribes, and the all time classic Carcassonne.

Susan Porteous Evans, Co-Owner
Susan is the owner and master printer for Green Bird Press, a small letterpress printing and bindery business. Susan might sometimes be seen at the shop felting strange woolly creatures for no apparent reason. With regard to board games, generally pandas or camels are often a requirement.

If there is anything at all that we can do, some product we should carry, or an event that you would like to see or help organize please let us know. We look forward to seeing you at our shop in the historic Box Factory in the Old Mill Quarter.

Cheers-
Brian