Brick City & Games, the beloved community hub for tabletop gaming and LEGO® enthusiasts in The Dalles, is officially moving into a permanent home that offers a larger, more accommodating space tailored to their growing needs. Thanks to crucial funding from the Oregon Investment Board, administered by MCEDD, the store’s owners, Jay & Leslie Wilson, have successfully purchased their own building, securing
Brick City & Games owners Jay & Leslie Wilson smiling proudly in their new space
a vibrant future for local gamers, builders, and hobbyists alike.
To celebrate this monumental milestone, Brick City & Games will host a grand opening at their new location on Saturday, July 11, 2026.
From a Lifelong Dream to a Community Hub
Brick City & Games is the brainchild of Jay and Leslie, two lifelong LEGO® enthusiasts who grew up fueled by imagination and plastic bricks. Their adult dream of opening a local LEGO® shop took a massive leap forward when the opportunity arose to purchase Gameopoly, a local gaming staple. Since Brick City & Games officially opened in downtown The Dalles in September of 2023, Jay and Leslie have made it a priority to listen closely to what their customers wanted.
Through that community feedback, the shop rapidly expanded from LEGO® sets into a full-scale gaming sanctuary. Today, the store specializes in new and used LEGO, tabletop games, trading card games (TCGs) like Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon, miniatures like Warhammer, role-playing games (RPGs) like Dungeons & Dragons, and video games- all while providing an inclusive play space and organized events for all ages.
Securing a Foundation with MCEDD
As the store’s community grew, so did the need for a space they could truly call their own. The business’ previous rental space severely limited their event capacity, community play access, inventory, and overall accessibility. To overcome these hurdles and scale their vision, the Wilsons partnered with MCEDD.
The new home of Brick City & Games, located at 409 E 2nd Street in The Dalles
Oregon Investment Board (OIB) funding supported the purchase of the commercial building located at 409 E. 2nd Street, The Dalles. While this new building has the square footage and layout Brick City needs for their expansion plans, the transition required significant renovation. Immediate improvements funded by the project included vital work on the roof, floors, windows, HVAC, and plumbing.
Partnering with MCEDD provided the critical financial bridge needed to transition Jay and Leslie from renters to property owners, anchoring a vital, locally-owned small business right here in the heart of The Dalles.
The Grand Re-Opening: July 11, 2026
The new building will allow Brick City & Games to lean even further into its mission of bringing people together. The expanded layout and improved accessibility will better accommodate community favorites, including birthday parties, open game nights, local tournaments, and collaborative community events.
The public is invited to come out on July 11th to explore the new space, check out the updated inventory, and celebrate a homegrown success story. Whether you are a master builder, a TCG competitor, a roleplayer, or a family looking for your next favorite board game, the new Brick City & Games is built for you.
Stay tuned to their website at www.brickcitygames.com and follow their social media pages for sneak peeks of the new space, grand opening festivities, and upcoming event schedules!