Spokane-based Book & Game Co. has entered the Seattle market by opening one of its Uncles Games, Puzzles & More outlets in Redmond Town Center.


The small retail chain, which sells a variety of unusual and specialty games, puzzles, and playing cards, plans to open additional stores in the Seattle market if the new Redmond store does well, says company President Hans Isaacson.


Weve always wanted to go to the Seattle area, says Isaacson. If were successful, we will open two stores there a year, starting in 2005.


The new Redmond store occupies 2,700 square feet of leased space.


Book & Game Co. currently operates two Uncles Games, Puzzles & More stores here, one at 404 W. Main downtown, and the other in the Spokane Valley Mall. It also sells its goods via the Internet.


The company, which has about 30 employees, stocks more than 4,000 different items.


Isaacson declines to disclose the companys revenues. Were up from last year, he says. Things are looking good.


The company is owned by Isaacson, Shannon Ahren, and Karen Stephens. The chain is working on changing its corporate name from Book & Game Co. to Uncles Games, Puzzles & More.


We dont sell books anymore, so were going to change the name, Isaacson says.


In 1998, the Book & Game Co. spun off its book retailing operation, Aunties Bookstore, which now is owned by Chris OHarra. At one time, Book & Game operated seven stores in Washington and Idaho. Some are still open under different ownership.