About Us
Studio Staja is an independent, community-based game shop and event space located in the heart of Ottawa.
Steve and Ajà (combine their names and you get Staja!) opened Studio Staja in November of 2024 with the goal of creating a space where people can come together and connect around games. Coming from backgrounds in various non-profit and community organizations, we spent years creating programs, organizing events, and building spaces where people could meet one another and feel a sense of belonging. Studio Staja grew out of combining that experience with our love of games.
Our Values
Everyone is Welcome
We think games are for everyone, and that meeting new people around a table is the best way to break down barriers and better understand one another. That's why we strive to create a space that is welcoming and affordable. That means being unwaveringly supportive of our LGBTQIA+ neighbours, doing what we can to increase the accessibility of our space, and standing firmly against racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism, and all other forms of bigotry.
Businesses Should Be Part of Their Community
We believe businesses should be active members of their neighbourhoods. For Studio Staja, that means actively participating in local politics, being a third space for our neighbours, and uplifting other local businesses that share our values. It's also why we open our doors to community groups and try to be present at events around us. Recognizing the community we live in, we strive to carry products in both English and French and make an effort to stock games designed by Indigenous creators.
We Love the Arts
There can never be enough space for creative works in our world. That's why our walls showcase local artists, we host creative workshops, and we facilitate role-playing game events. (Yes, you RPG nerds are making art too!)
Want to be part of the Studio Staja community?