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| - I'll start off this review by saying that this is my favourite comic and specialist game store, bar none. I've been a customer here for over a decade and this store just has a special place in my heart. Apart from having an incredible variety of merchandise, this place just exudes character. Due to local bylaws there is no sandwich-board or similar signage on the sidewalk so it's easy to miss, especially if you're walking north. If you're walking south on the west side of Yonge you'll see a placard in the doorway with a giant spider attacking Spiderman in front of a staircase. Go up those stairs and you're there!
I say this lovingly, but if you're the kind of person that likes stores to be pristine and sterile then brace yourself. The floorboards are sagging and creaky and the carpet is well-worn from generations of gamers and a litany of cats over the years (many, if not all, of which are rescue animals, by the way) but this just adds to the charm. The store itself is on the small side but there is not an inch of wasted space. Much like a classic Dungeons & Dragons adventure module, there is a staircase that appears to lead to nowhere which is used as ersatz shelving for some of the boardgames for sale. Up until recently, to access the section of the store where the miniatures games were located you literally went through a hole in the wall (this has since been refined to a proper doorway). If any of these superficial qualities would be a dissuasion to you I strongly urge you to reconsider as you'll be cheating yourself.
This store has, hands-down, the best selection of pen-and-paper roleplaying games I've seen in Toronto. The selection on display is impressive enough but they have a huge amount of RPG books in their stock-room, as well. In terms of miniatures games, Hairy T has an abundant stock of Warmachine and Hordes models and rulebooks by Privateer Press. As of this review, they also have a great quantity of Confrontation and Reaper metal miniatures. One major line of miniatures that they don't carry is Games Workshop. Specialist board and card games are something you'll find in abundance at Hairy T. From "gateway" games like Settlers of Catan and Ticket To Ride to more specialized lines from Fantasy Flight, Rio Grande, and overseas publishers, you're likely to find it here. Collectible card games like Magic: The Gathering and others are also available, some with singles available for purchase.
While I'm not an aficionado of anime & manga, I'm told by friends that are that Hairy T's selection of books and movies in these genres is very good. In terms of North American comics, the store stopped ordering monthly issues of comic books recently and only stocks trade paperbacks (which they have in abundance) but if you want specific titles they will order them in for you if you ask.
If you're a bargain hunter, there's even a large "back room" that has used games & comics as well as older stock that is marked down considerably.
Despite all the great merchandise for sale, Hairy T's best feature is its staff. I've seen people come and go over the years behind the counter but they all have been friendly and helpful without being pushy and not the stereotypical pedants you find working at comic & game stores.
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