Get ready for Cards & Combat as Wagga's newest board game store prepares to open its doors

Josh and Jessica Serafin’s new game shop Cards & Combat opens its doors this Saturday 7 October. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.

Sales of board games took off during the pandemic and the world enjoyed the thrills of a good card game or a tabletop battle, but Wagga was left in the dark.

For more than a year Wagga has been left without a location to enjoy the most recent Warhammer 40k expansion or a place to connect with others while playing Magic: The Gathering, but now, thanks to brother and sister combo Josh and Jessica Serafin, this is about to change.

The pair’s game shop Cards & Combat opens its doors this Saturday 7 October and will showcase the very best that gaming has to offer.

“The idea of the store all began when I had my son and really got into D&D [Dungeons and Dragons],” Jessica said.

“I visited Wagga’s previous game shop, which is now closed, and I met so many people and stated playing a lot of different games.

“From there I got a job at the store and I got swept away in it all.”

Jessica’s newfound passion for games mixed with Josh’s experience in selling and trading cards and games online made the perfect combination for the duo to open their own shop.

Cards & Combat will let people try some of the newest and most enjoyable board games available. Photo: Cards & Combat/Facebook.

Located at 5/189 Baylis Street, the new store is in the heart of Wagga, allowing families to check out the latest offerings.

“We will always have a table ready for people to try out Warhammer or Pokemon. We want to create a space for everyone whether you’re a beginner or someone who has been playing for years,” Josh said.

“We want to host a lot of events and see people enjoy something that Jess and I are passionate about.”

Jess and Josh landed on the name Cards & Combat by combining both of their passions.

“Personally, my favourite types of games are your big tabletop games where two armies battle whereas Josh loves his card games. We put them together and got Cards & Combat which we think is a pretty cool name,” Jess said.

Be sure to head to the new store this Saturday from 10 am and check out some of Jess’s favourite games, including Betrayal on House Hill, or learn how to play Magic with Josh.

Cards & Combat is sure to be the number one shop for all gamers across the Riverina.