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Hairy Tarantula Comics & Games
Category: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Comic Books Comic Books [Edit]
354 Yonge St2nd Floor
Toronto, ON M5B 1S5
Neighbourhoods: Ryerson, Downtown Core
(416) 596-8002
- Hours:
Mon-Tue 11 am - 8 pm
Wed-Sat 11 am - 9 pm
Sun 12 pm - 7 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
12 reviews for Hairy Tarantula Comics & Games
12 reviews in English
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Review from Darren L.
Scarborough, ON
9/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
It is on the second floor just north of Dundas on Yonge street. It is easy to miss so be careful.
First time I wandered in here, it was like going to nerd heaven. Since I am a partial nerd, I was happy. my female friend that I went with was not. However, if you are looking for some new sort of board game or card game, this is the place to go. It has everything. Very friendly people working there.
Just remember to close the door when you come in so the cats don't escape. -
Review from Chris P.
10/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
This store sort of feels like a guy had a an attic/bedroom full of comics and other geeky goodies and when his mother told him he needed to clean his room he opened his bedroom to the public to sell his wares.
There's certainly lots of things to choose from. There's lots of board games, graphic novels, anime, magic cards, and other random oddities. The store isn't pretty. It's actually a little scary when you're climbing the narrow staircase to the 2nd floor. The products are organized into their various sections and are generally organized well, except for the board games. The games seem like an afterthought and are haphazardly lined up on tables, over-head on shelves, or stacked on the floor.
The staff were a little aloof. Not really interested in helping the random customers that were in the store, they just stuck to chatting up what seemed like regulars, or playing with the cat.
The prices seem fair. I don't have a ton of knowledge about the graphic novels and anime, but the games seemed to be competitively priced.Listed in: 30 days of Yelpness
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Review from Patrick M.
Toronto, ON
7/4/2011
Hairy T is everything your mom/friends/boyfriend/girlfriend/whatever ever thought of and feared when it comes to gamers. It's nigh-impossible to navigate, located above a rickety walk up of dingy stairs, and packed to the gils with "STUFF".
Really, it's the kinda shop I typically hate... so why the 4 stars?
I'm not sure, honestly. They're unabashedly geek, for one thing, totally shameless in their approach to all things comic and game, and that's endearing. And while the staff kinda look scary at times, they're rather awesome. Quirky, endlessly interesting fonts of geek-lore, from the youngest member to the eldest statesman (er, owner). Honestly, a day spent here chatting would not be a wasted day.
Their prices are generally about par or sliiiiiightly high, but their regular sales -- as noted by numerous other reviewers -- makes them very appealing, especially if you know when to hit 'em up and for what.
Finally, it's important to note that Hairy T is cat friendly and kinda dusty, making it an allergy-sufferer's nightmare. So make sure you take that antihistimine before braving the place! The cats are great, though, super adorable...
... though I swear I've bought stuff there because the cats have psychic powers. Kind of unnerving. -
Review from Michael J.
7/5/2009
I should really be thanking this place. It is because I was bored, in an unfamiliar city, wandering around looking for fun and adventure that I stumbled across Hairy Tarantula Comics and Cards...and it introduced me to not only a really wonderful place...but a really wonderful person who has instantly become one of the best friends I have ever had...and this is all within a week of knowing her. But then again, I've been treated like crap by everyone who has come and gone in my life...so an act of kindness...or two..or three...or hell...constant kindness this person has shown me goes a really long way. But that is neither here or there.
First of all, if you dare put something as awesome as the word "tarantula" in your store name...then I am expecting awesome things from you. That word alone put together with "comic" is instantly going to catch my attention...and sure enough I did. So, intrigued, I venture into this little establishment, and sure enough I was not disappointed.
Hairy Tarantula's have a simply wonderful stock of both Manga and comics...and the shocking thing is that the people who work there are very well educated about what is good comics and good manga, and what is terrible. Humbly shocked that the person I was talking to hates Naruto, which I consider to be one of the WORST animes/manga's in existence...so that put this place immediately in good standing with me.
They have a strong selection of thing things. Games, card games, posters, collectibles...it has virtually everything you'd expect to find in a comic shop. But the great thing about this place is the people who work there. I don't know if it's because people in the U.S. are that big of pricks or what...but I was treated so nicely by the people here. Really. They were knowledgeable, kind, and respectful. This place is definately one of my favorite comic shops...a shame it's technically 2,500 miles away from where I live...but that's probably going to change since I hate the Bay Area.
This place will always hold special meaning, because it's where by completely random chance I met someone who has just been...absolutely wonderful to me. And if it wasn't for seeing "Tarantula" in the store name...I may not have stopped when I was driving by...heck many not have even noticed. But I did...and when I was looking around I found a wonderful person who has become a wonderful friend.
Thanks for everything Hairy Tarantula. You are a wonderful little store. -
Review from Avitania B.
Toronto, ON
8/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
What is it about comic book shops and weird names? Hairy Tarantula, Silver Snail, Zaftig Honey Badger... okay, I made that last one up. Anyway, despite the goofy name, Hairy Tarantula is a great place to browse and buy. I was looking for a specific trade paperback that they were happy to locate for me on their shelves, and engage in a little nerd talk as well. It's a little claustrophobic in there, but that's part of it's charm. Plus, there's a cat. How could you not love a bookstore that has a cat to pet?
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Review from Justin M.
Milton, ON
A literal hole in the wall, Hairy T's is located up a narrow stairwell, wallpapered with posters for many events of days past.
The store has a rapid staff turnover, and if you're lucky when you go in they'll have someone who meets at an intersection of knowledgeable of product and possessing of a pleasant personality.
My last visit I was served by a very friendly pair who seemed somewhat knowledgeable of their product. That was a surprise, and raised the score on this review to a three.
Hairy T has a revolving sale each month, and each quarter holds a larger sale. That helps them stay competitive, pricewise, with other stores in the area.
The store is as unwelcoming as possible to anyone with accessibility issues, and once inside it's difficult to navigate. I can only imagine what sort of havoc the dusty interior would wreak on someone with allergies of any kind.Listed in: Geek Stores in the GTA
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Review from A.J. S.
3/30/2010 13 Check-ins Here
Toronto, or Hogtown as some people call it has a number of very good comic book stores. Nestled on Yonge Street across from Zanzibar this hidden gem lies. The store itself is easy to miss, I have been shopping here for almost 15 years and I still sometimes walk past it by accident.
Inside the store, which is on the second floor is a treasure trove of comic books, graphic novels and RPG books. Every inch of the store is covered with various geekery, and the suggestion shelf bristles with good ideas on what you can read if you like that specific type of book.
The staff is helpful, and are willing to give ideas on what you can read next if you want, and are often accurate with their suggestions. The difference between this place and somewhere like Silver Snail, is at other places it feels like you are there to just pay for the product that they have put on their shelves. HairyT is an experience, from getting into the store, to the cats that wander around the store, to the character of both the people who work here, and the other patrons.
To be honest, the only other stores of this sort that I have been to which approach the amount I like this place have been in Boston and New York. It is stores like this that makes Toronto the world class city that it is.
**beware if you have cat allergies, or are arachnophobia, lots of spider related stuff around** -
Review from Julianna B.
Toronto, ON
4/21/2009
Mike the wild-bearded owner keeps a good stock of graphic novels, manga. and games. The staff is helpful and the cat is fairly friendly. It smells of the kind herb more often than the other comic shops in town, but it's probably the neighbours, right? They're happy to do orders and they're particularly good at calling when something comes in. The frequent sales (around holidays) rock, so get on the mailing list.
N.B. The Hairy T is almost impossible to locate, so count the street numbers and keep looking up. When you're across from Zanzibar Tavern, you're in the right area.Listed in: Book Shopping!
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Review from Brenda S.
12/14/2009
This was bizarrely hard to find -- on a warmer day they might have had the door open so that you could see the signage on the inside, but as it was I had to hunt. It's right across from the Zanzibar strip club, and the door is to the right of the head shop which occupies the ground level 354 address. Like the new uptown store, you have to be able to navigate stairs to get in.
It's tiny and claustrophobic because it's absolutely packed with stuff. I'm giving this a higher rating than the new uptown store just for selection -- there were way more classic and obscure manga titles here, as opposed to the standard new-and-popular selection uptown. The staff are helpful and friendly. The cat will ignore you but don't be offended.Listed in: Comic, Game & Hobby Shops
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Review from Michael C.
3/31/2010
I like to think Hairy Tarantula and Silver Snail are two sides of the same coin: the former may not be as pretty, but has plenty of selection in regards to everything; the other is clearly more trendy, but don't cater as well to certain items.
From the moment you walk into Hairy T's, if you're a hardcore geek, you know this is your store. Every wall is covered in board games, tpbs, anime and manga, and they even have a room just for miniatures. Behind the counter is a surplus of Magic and L5R cards ranging from almost any set you could want (alas, they had no Unglued).
The staff is extremely helpful and knowledgeable about every subject matter, so ask them any questions you may have. Also, if you don't see something: ask! They may have it in the back.
I had a great time I went two days in a row, and would strongly recommend it for any geeks.Listed in: Comics Across the Continent
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Review from Chris E.
Milton, ON
1/23/2010
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. -
Review from B R.
Toronto, ON
5/5/2011
I have found the staff at Hairy to be very friendly and sociable. Their cats are very nice and friendly too. That's the 3 stars. What I don't like about Hairy is that they mark-up the prices but then offer a 20% discount. It seems that they're always having a sale there. Even with the 'sales', their prices on games are still higher than 401 Games up the street.
