An inside look at The Basement Board Game Cafe as they prepare to open their doors to the Roxborough community and beyond.

In a hi-tech era – when people are most likely to turn to their Nintendo Switch or their iPad for entertainment – it’s hard to imagine a business built around entertaining people the old-fashioned way.

But that is exactly what David Stufflet intends to do when he opens Roxborough’s very first board game café in March.

Located at 6109 Ridge Avenue, the grand opening of the Basement Board Game Café is fast approaching with a public opening planned for March.

Board games, Stufflet said, are making a comeback.

“The board game industry is going through a revolution, or rather a renaissance”

“The board game industry is going through a revolution, or rather a renaissance,” he said.

“Philadelphia is also home to a large and expanding new board game convention every year.”

That convention – the analog-focused extension of the massive PAX profile – PAX Unplugged – took place from November 30th to December 2nd last year. PAX features a variety of panels, exhibitions, performances, tournaments and so on that are tailored to everyone’s gaming interests.

While Stufflet’s café is the first in Roxborough, it’s not the first of its kind.

The title of first board game café in North America is currently claimed by Snakes and Lattes of Toronto, which is currently planning its fifth location (three are in Toronto, the other is in Tempe, Arizona).

Though Stufflet’s café is geared towards “board game people,” he envisions people of all ages being able to find a game they enjoy.

With a $10 entrance fee, guests will have all-day access to the café’s more-than 500 game library, including some of Stufflet’s favorites like 7 Wonders, Captain Sonar and Cash ‘n Guns. Customers can either pick their desired game and get started or have staff members teach them how to play a new game.