25 Years of TableTop
“To everybody that has come to our shop and enjoyed what we’ve created: Our success is due to you and the fact that TableTop has become your happy place. It is a huge honor and responsibility to be that for so many crazy, diverse people.”
-Phil and Lynn Kilgore
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We asked our customers about their experiences with TableTop Game and Hobby over the last 25 years. These customers have been gaming with us for over 15 years, and many now have kids that game with us. Check out what they had to say below.
Warhammer, Warhammer 40,000, Warhammer Fantasy Warhammer Quest, Magic: The Gathering, Mirage, Lord of the Rings, Ticket to Ride, Agricola, Galaxy Trucker, Small World, and D&D are property of their respective owners.
“I started with buying 40k from Phil when TableTop was located on Quivira. That seems like a lifetime ago – probably because it was. Phil, Walter, and Toebias are three of the best people I know.”
– Bryan Baker
Customer since TT 1.0, 1994 – 2005
“I bought MTG from you when you were on Quivira. I spent too much money on Mirage. Followed you to both Metcalf locations. I have a 12-year-old daughter who loves games. We drive from Platte City to your store!”
– David Seim
Customer since TT 1.0, 1994 – 2005
“I discovered you back when you were on 75th & Quivera. I also discovered that you were my husband’s band teacher’s DM. And even though we have moved a couple of hours away, we still manage to make a trip with our sons to your current location.
They never want to leave and understand why we love the store and the people. And why mom has a large container full of very pretty dice.”
– Sandra Tuck
Customer since TT 1.0, 1994 – 2005
“We were there day 1 and have been going ever since. And now my son and his wife go!”
– Frank Bua
Customer since TT 1.0, 1994 – 2005
Interview with Andrew Wong, customer since TT 2.0, 2005 – 2010 and Halidor Arkellsson, customer since TT 1.0, 1994 – 2005
What were you looking for / hoping to find the first time you went into TableTop?
AW: I was sitting at home, wondering if there was a board game that had anything to do with Lord of the Rings. Did a quick search on the internet and found that there was a site called BoardGameGeek which even in 2007, looked antiquated..but I stuck with it and managed to find MANY board games about MANY things! This then led me to find some video reviews of games at the time (anyone else remember Boardgames with Scott?). At that point, I thought that it may have been likely that a store would exist that sold these games if there were truly this many out there. More internetting led me to TableTop! When I first walked in, I was stunned that this volume of cardboard could be so easily accessible and entertaining.
HA: Miniatures. I love Collecting/Painting/Gaming with Miniatures. I heard the owner of TableTop was a like-minded individual, so what better place to go shop for miniatures? As it turns out, I knew Phil when he worked at Hobby Haven in Independence. He was “The Miniature Guy.”
What was the first game you remember buying at TableTop?
AW: I remember getting Ticket to Ride as my first purchase but quickly picking up games like Agricola and Smallworld soon after.
HA: I bought a lot of D&D modules, accessories, and miniatures over the years, but the first all-in-one complete game I remember buying was Warhammer Quest. I still have it and we still play it.
What is the most meaningful thing you or a family member has purchased at TableTop?
AW: My wife and boys picked up the Anniversary Edition of Galaxy Trucker for me for Father’s Day in 2013 and we still love to play it today!
HA: Probably that Warhammer Quest Game. My family and I get together during the holidays, have dinner, and play that until late in the evening.
What is your favorite memory from TableTop?
AW: The time I bought my first pots of paints, probably about 7 years ago, and learning some good practical tips from Phil on how to approach painting as a hobby…that is probably one of the most memorable things for me. Seems simple, but getting those brushes and paints put me on a course needing to paint all the things.
HA: Playing in the Game Room. I played D&D, Warhammer Fantasy, and several board games with people. We had a miniatures club that met there every so often. Also, when I had Fridays off, I used to go to the shop and wait for the UPS man to deliver all of the new stuff. I would get a first look at all of it. Christmas all year round!
Photo Cred: Andrew Wong
Funniest and/or weirdest thing you’ve heard Phil say:
AW: Phil once told me “the nerd is strong in here” when I had asked about what was happening in the ‘back room’ of the store. To this day, I still don’t know what was happening, but it may have been some Warhammer event. I don’t know. I was too scared to dig deeper.
HA: When he was teaching a bird lines from the “Beavis and Butthead” TV show. The only one I dare put here is “Are you threatening me?” …trust me…there were more…
If you could describe TableTop in ONE WORD, what would it be?
AW: WEIRD. [I need to clarify this: weird IS a term of endearment. There are so many places to go and to be and TT is the ONE place where it’s not just ok to be weird, but encouraged.]
HA: Excellent!
Photo Cred: Andrew Wong
How has TableTop grown/impacted your gaming hobby?
AW: I was really exhausted with video games and wanted to explore something different that I could do with people in my house around a table, with beers and conversation. Easy access to fun games has really encouraged that among my friends to “get a new game” and “let’s play”. I’ve also really grown as a painter over the last several years, picking up supplies, but also techniques from the staff @ TT. It’s been a real joy getting into this, but also with my kids. I love getting geeky with my boys and we love to do this together!
HA: It is The Place to Go. I shop there. I game there. Sometimes I get together with friends and we have a big paint day there. It has also taught me a lot about what I want in my Game Room.
There have been quite a few game stores in KC over the years. Why do you think TableTop has stuck around? Why is it YOUR game store?
AW: It’s MY store because it’s still here. It’s still here because of the generosity they’ve shown me and my boys, the shared interest, and the no-drama-policy when it comes to gaming. It’s a safe place to be weird and a great place to have fun. They know the repeat customers, sure, but they treat everyone equally and love to share the hobby with new folks. I’ve been in the store a lot over the years wherein a new person comes in and probably overwhelmed not knowing where to start. The staff will ALWAYS work with them and take their time to explain things without making them feel like a noob. They do it to encourage them to find something and ultimately, have as much fun as possible!
HA: It’s still around after all these years because Phil and his staff are knowledgeable in the hobby. They are all painters/gamers/hobbyists of some sort and love what they do. They take care of their customers and we try to take care of them. They are not just my “Store,” they are my friends.
We loved celebrating our 25th Anniversary with you nerds! Thank you for joining us all month as we partied and gamed.
Phil and Lynn Kilgore, partying like it is 1925! 
25th Anniversary Merch 
Phil Kilgore and Walter Stewart with commissioned 25th Anniversary painting Employee Call of Cthulhu Event
If you have a great story to share about TableTop over the last 25 years, we would love to hear from you! Email us at madeline@tabletopgameandhobby.com.
Thank you again for 25 amazing years!
