Gateway Games

Gateway Games is Ketchikan's original game store, open since 1997 on historic Front Street. The "First City's First Game Store" specializes in board games, card games, dice games, RPGs, miniature games, and accessories — the cornerstone of Southeast Alaska's hobby community.

Gateway Games has been serving Ketchikan since 1997, earning its self-proclaimed title as the "First City's First Game Store" — a nod both to Ketchikan's position as the southernmost city in Alaska and to the store's pioneering role in Southeast Alaska's hobby community. Located on the iconic Front Street, the city's bustling main commercial strip that runs along the Tongass Narrows waterway, Gateway Games is as much a cultural institution as it is a retail store.

The store specializes in tabletop gaming in all its forms: board games, card games, dice games, book games, role-playing games, miniature games, paints, and accessories. Unlike many hobby shops that dabble in electronics or licensed merchandise, Gateway Games maintains a pure focus on "nothing that goes beep" — a commitment to the tactile, social experiences that define tabletop gaming at its best.

Trading card games occupy a prominent place in the lineup. Magic: The Gathering has been a staple since the store's early days, and more recent additions like Pokémon, One Piece, and other popular TCGs keep the card section relevant and dynamic. Gateway Games maintains a card collection on CardCastle.co, making it easy for customers to browse and purchase available singles. The store accepts walk-in requests for specific cards.

Miniture wargaming is another strength — paints, supplies, and models for popular systems are stocked alongside rules and accessories. The RPG section covers everything from D&D to indie systems, with the staff offering genuine recommendations based on player experience and preference.

Gateway Games' Front Street location puts it squarely in the path of the millions of cruise ship passengers who descend on Ketchikan during the summer tourist season, giving the store an unusual customer mix of locals and travelers. Many visitors who stumble in looking for a souvenir find themselves drawn into a world they'd never encountered before, making their first purchase of a board game or a Pokémon booster pack.

For residents of Ketchikan, Prince of Wales Island, and the surrounding Southeast Alaska communities, Gateway Games is an irreplaceable institution — a 28-year-old local business that has outlasted countless competitors by staying true to its community and its passion.