Photograph by Sarah McCosham
Parenthood is funny because one day you’re at a toy store for Playmobil and LEGO and the next, you’re at Yottaquest (a gaming store) for D&D and Warhammer.
At least, this is where I found myself on a recent Saturday afternoon. Julian’s journey to gaming glory started with Star Wars and superheroes, segued into D&D (there was an after-school club in junior high) and moved into Warhammer. I could say J has a knack for picking the most expensive hobbies (which wouldn’t be untrue), but I prefer to think that my 14-year-old has a vivid imagination and attention to detail that these role playing games encourage, and which will serve him well as he gets older.
Photograph by Sarah McCosham
Nevertheless, these hobbies are expensive, but as Julian has earned money for walking the neighbor’s dog and mowing his grandparents’ lawn, it’s been a fun reward to take him to hobby shops where he can a) compare different models in real life and b) see how much money these sets actually cost. For me, though, the best benefit is supporting a local, brick-and-mortar business.
Yottaquest is a Cincinnati institution that’s well known among the gaming community. Owned and operated by the Fay family, between 2004 and 2015, the store was located in Mt. Healthy. In 2015, the Fays closed the store in order to focus on new projects. Four years later, the family reopened Yottaquest in Evendale, and in July 2021, the store moved to its current location at 10693 Reading Road. Quite the hero’s journey!
Photograph by Sarah McCosham
Walk into the shop and you’ll find everything from board games and graphic novels to miniatures and role-playing games. Yottaquest stocks popular brands like Warhammer, Reaper, Magic the Gathering, and Pokemon—and even hosts game nights. I was pleased to see a significant section of craft kits and supplies, which is a nice touch if you’re visiting Yottaquest with your gamer’s non-gaming siblings.
One of the most surprising things about parenthood is the ways in which it’s changed me, both as a parent and person. For the most part, whatever my kids take an interest in, I do, too (hello, bearded dragon!). While spending an afternoon at a gaming store wouldn’t be my first choice, spending time with my kids is. Along the way I’ve found that these places, hobbies, events, etc., end up being fun for me, too, even if only for the company and context.
Photograph by Sarah McCosham
All of this is to say that if your kids are into gaming, you might impress them by taking them to Yottaquest. As parents, we take any wins we can get!
Yottaquest, 10693 Reading Rd., Evendale, (513) 923-1985
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