A city’s identity is shaped as much by its artists, storytellers, and creative entrepreneurs as it is by its heavy industry. From live stage performances and historic print shops to world-famous tabletop gaming and local comic book hubs, Renton has long cultivated a thriving creative ecosystem.
As part of our Visit Renton Legacy Campaign, we’re bringing together some of institutions that fuel our city’s culture, arts, and community storytelling.
Creative Places
Located in downtown Renton, Renton Civic Theatre opened in 1987 inside a beautifully transformed 1920s movie palace. What had once been a boarded‑up cinema was revitalized by dedicated founders who envisioned a professional performing arts venue at the heart of the community. The theatre's debut season began with its first play, “Yo!”, followed by its first musical, “Grease,” which premiered on February 25, 1987. Since then, Renton Civic Theatre has grown into a vibrant cultural landmark—welcoming audiences, nurturing local talent, and keeping the magic of live performance thriving in Renton.
A staple of Renton's business landscape, The Renton Printery has been serving the Puget Sound region since 1957. Originally formed through a merger with Seattle's Rainier Printery, the business grew from a small, 600‑square‑foot letterpress shop into a modern 4,500‑square‑foot commercial printing facility under the leadership of the Sweeney family. For decades, the Printery has supported local businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations with high-quality print services—helping bring events, ideas, and stories to life in tangible form.
Founded in 1988, DJ's Sportscards has anchored Renton's collecting community for more than 35 years. Operating as a beloved community hub for comic lovers, trading card enthusiasts, and collectors, DJ’s Sportscards & Comics is a landmark of local culture. Over the decades, the business has expanded its offerings into a massive collection, with millions of cards spanning sports, gaming, and specialty collections. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, knowledgeable staff, and deep roots in the hobbyist community, DJ's Sportscards continues to draw collectors from Renton and far beyond.
Headquartered right here in Renton, Wizards of the Coast is a global powerhouse of creative world-building and tabletop gaming. Founded in 1990, they initially started off publishing role-playing games, but became known for Magic: The Gathering. The explosive popularity of the new trading card game resulted in the fast expansion of the comapny. As the publisher behind gaming icons like Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons, Wizards bridges Renton’s local industrial roots directly to an international legacy of imagination, gaming culture, and interactive storytelling.
Visit Renton’s Creative Legacy
From local theater and historic printmaking to beloved hobby shops and world‑renowned gaming, Renton’s creative institutions reflect the imagination, talent, and community spirit that have shaped the city for decades. These legacy businesses remind us that Renton’s story is not only built in manufacturing plants and commercial corridors—it’s also written on stage, printed on paper, collected in binders, and imagined across kitchen tables. Together, they help fuel the cultural heartbeat of Renton, inspiring new generations of makers, storytellers, and dreamers.
