Glimpses of Wonder & Warfare celebrates one year in new location

Sherwood’s home for tabletop games is marking a milestone of one year in its new, larger location.

Glimpses of Wonder & Warfare moved downstairs from its old location, now home to the Sherwood Bookstore, in January 2025. The game store now operates at 16771 S.W. 12th St., Ste. F, in a space about 50% larger than its previous location.

Derrick Contreras and his wife Amy are the owners of the game shop that’s been operating in Sherwood for 11 years. Derrick Contreras, who grew up in Sherwood, said the new location “lets us have a lot more room for tables for people to play games.”

The family-owned, family-friendly game shop provides a respectful and safe environment for gamers of all ages — in person, not on screens. Dice games, board games, card games, role-playing games, miniature games, gaming supplies, and hobby supplies are available for purchase in-store and online.

“We’re just a game store that runs a lot of games. People come in to play at events or just casual play,” Contreras said. “Magic: The Gathering is the most popular thing, that’s been going strong.”

The shop hosts casual play sessions and tournaments for popular tabletop games including Magic: The Gathering, Warhammer, Infinity, and Star Wars Legion and X-Wing.

Contreras said much of his clientele plays Dungeons and Dragons, the popular cooperative storytelling role-playing game.

“Miniature games are my focus, so that's one of the things we need a lot more space for,” Contreras said. “We have stuff for miniature game players to play, because it takes a lot more room than just playing cards.”

Miniature games such as Warhammer include collecting, assembling, and painting the pieces before playing the game.

“I've been playing games since Warhammer — it was the first thing I started doing right out of high school. I went to some game stores and saw it. That was it, after that,” Contreras said. “I’ve been playing since then, and I ended up having so much stuff, it was easier to start a game store than to store my stuff at home.”

He also likes to play Marvel Crisis Protocol, a miniatures tabletop hobby game set in the Marvel Universe.

“Nowadays I play Marvel Crisis Protocol … I still play Warhammer, but not nearly as much, because it takes a lot more time and a lot more space, and I don't have as much time to play games as I used to,” Contreras said. “Even though I have a game store, I have less time to play than I did before.”

Aside from the couple, the shop has two local employees. The couple also offers commission-based miniature painting services through Amy’s Mute Cat Studio, for gamers who want professional-quality game pieces. 

“She does all the painting. I don't have the eyesight for it, or the patience,”  Contreras said of his wife.

He said there are always new products constantly being released in the tabletop gaming industry, like new Magic: The Gathering sets or new Warhammer pieces, and the shop has new items every week.

The store also hosts league, tournament, and competition events as a place for players of all ages to gather. For Contreras, the expanded space isn’t just about inventory — it’s about building a welcoming place for the local gaming community.

“All are welcome. Our big effort is to make everybody feel welcome to come in and play. You don’t have to buy anything to play, you’re welcome to sit down and just game,” Contreras said. “We have a lot of great people in our community who are always happy to help and teach some games.”