A community game store built by a lifelong miniature painter…
If you’re a gamer who finds yourself in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, there’s a good chance someone will suggest you stop by First Turn Games. Since opening its doors in February 2013, the shop has become a lively hub for tabletop gamers, miniature painters, and hobbyists. Walk through the doors and you’ll likely see something happening at nearly every table: dice rolling, cards shuffling, or painters working on miniatures under bright hobby lamps.
The store’s owner, Steve Boatwright, has been part of that world for most of his life. Games like Magic: The Gathering and Warhammer 40,000 became part of his life around fifth grade, but miniature painting became his passion. By the time he was around 12 or 13 years old, he was painting before school, after school, and whenever he had a spare moment. Since then, Steve has gone on to win awards for his work, including the prestigious Golden Demon. Despite the recognition, he remains just as passionate about teaching others as he is about painting himself.
Building a Space for the Hobby Community
That love of the hobby contributed to Steve opening First Turn Games in the first place. He was working part-time in another game store, but he realised he wanted to create something of his own — a place that truly focused on community.
Today the store spans 16,000 square feet, and much of that space is dedicated to the players and hobbyists who gather there. Tournaments for card games, board games, and miniature games regularly fill the free-to-use tables. Players have plenty of space for an afternoon or evening of play, and the shop even has few pinball machines add to the relaxed atmosphere. It gives the community a place to gather.
Monday Night Paint Night
Miniature painters will notice one corner of the shop in particular: a dedicated painting table set up with proper lighting and space to work. Hobbyists can use it whenever the store is open, and on Monday evenings, the table becomes the centre of the store’s painting community.
Steve originally started Monday Night paint night for a practical reason. Running a game store takes a tremendous amount of time, and he realised that if he wanted to keep painting himself, he would have to deliberately set aside time for it.
Over the years, that simple idea has grown into a regular gathering. Some nights bring experienced painters who enjoy sharing techniques and discussing projects. Other evenings introduce newcomers who are simply curious about how miniature painting works.
Helping New Painters Get Started
Miniature painting can feel intimidating when you first see what experienced painters are capable of. Steve understands that feeling and makes a point of helping newcomers feel comfortable trying the hobby.
If someone brings in a miniature that's not turning out the way they expected, he invites them to bring in a photo or bring in the model itself. Then he takes them to the paint desk and works through the problem with them in person. Demonstrating things like brush control or paint consistency face-to-face can make a huge difference compared with trying to learn the same lesson from a video. Sometimes the solution is as simple as showing someone how to brace their hands against the table to steady them while painting.
To reinforce the idea that everyone starts somewhere, Steve keeps some of the very first miniatures he painted as a child on display in the shop right next to his award-winning models. It is a simple reminder that improvement comes with time and practice.
Above all, he advises first-time painters to not get frustrated and that it’s not a scary hobby and to just have fun.
Watching the Hobby Grow
Over the past decade, Steve has also watched gaming grow on every front, including seeing the miniature painting hobby grow in ways that make it more accessible than ever. Affordable miniatures, such as Reaper Miniatures or Dungeons & Dragons models, make it easier for beginners to practise without worrying about ruining an expensive model. That simple change removes much of the pressure for newcomers and encourages experimentation.
Steve has seen similar changes in the tools and paints available to hobbyists. As he puts it, “The Army Painter’s evolution has been fantastic.” In the early days, he remembers selling plenty of the classic Quickshade Dip cans, particularly for players painting large undead armies. He appreciates how the range has expanded since then. Today, the store carries the full Warpaints Fanatic range, along with wet palettes and John Blanche paint sets, among other items. The starter paint sets have proven especially popular with new painters.
More recently, Steve has been impressed by the accessibility of Speedpaint Markers, which offer another approachable way for beginners to experiment with colour. Soon, First Turn Games will also be adding The Army Painter’s full hobby rack, making it even easier for local hobbyists to explore the range.
While You’re Out…
At the end of the day, what makes First Turn Games special is not just the products on the shelves, but the community that gathers around the tables. Local game stores have always been the heart of the tabletop hobby — the places where people learn their first game, paint their first miniature, and meet the friends they will be gaming with for years.
So, if you ever find yourself out and about in Cedar Rapids, it's well worth stopping by First Turn Games. You might even find yourself picking up a brush, and if you do, Steve will be happy to show you where to start.
If you want to find a similar community in your area, be sure to check out our Store Locator!
