Lucky Finds at my FLGS

 My area has an absurd number of gaming-related stores. To the point where most of them have needed to engage in some degree of niche specialization to remain viable and not overwhelm the environment. So much like the finches of the Galapagos islands, we have game stores that focus primarily on board games, stores that cater to the collectible card gamer, a few big generalists who have been here the longest. One store also runs Escape Rooms to differentiate themselves. 

My game store of choice, Harlequin Hobby, is almost exclusively a wargaming store. They have a little bit of shelf space dedicated to Dungeons & Dragons and board games, but mostly it's wargaming, with the various Games Workshop games and Battletech getting the most real estate, but a decent selection of Warlord Games offerings for Bolt Action, Pike & Shotte, and Hail Caesar. 

They also have an unbelievable treasure trove of secondhand goods. I think the owner might buy job lots on eBay to supplement old stuff that gamers unload in exchange for store credit to spend on the latest Warhammer releases. There's an entire shelving unit of file boxes; a lot of the relatively recent Games Workshop stuff that's been sold back is sorted by faction for browsers' convenience, but the real motherlode for me are the boxes labeled simply "Fantasy."

I've managed to dig a handful of vintage GW (and competitors!) orcs and goblins out of there, treasures of the early 90s for the most part. There's also a shelf of secondhand rulebooks and supplements.

I stopped by the store yesterday morning because I knew they'd gotten some 6th edition Warhammer goblins in that I wanted to maybe lay claim to. I walked out with more than I'd anticipated. 

I got my blister pack of Night Goblin Fanatics (only 2 in the blister - maybe from 7th or 8th edition? In 6th they were 3 to a pack...) and a 5th edition Warhammer Battle Book, which looks like it was included in the Warhammer Fantasy Battles starter boxed set for that edition. It's got an overview of the hobby written by Rick Priestley, painting guides, an overview of the different armies available, and a series of scenarios to play beyond simple pitched battles. And it's in almost mint condition! I couldn't believe they only wanted $15 for it, so I quickly snapped it up. 

There were more goblins I could have gotten...should get...I may go back for those later this week or, more likely, see if they're still there after I get my next paycheck. They must be mine...

Figures Purchased in 2025: 115

Figures Painted in 2025: 116