MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- The Al-American Board Game Cafe will host a grand opening event on Sunday, Dec. 1, after being in business for exactly one month in Middleburg Heights.
The shop opened on Nov. 1 at 13365 Smith Rd. The cafe contains a board-game store, a snack bar and two large rooms for gameplay that host about 50 people at rows of tables.
The shop’s name comes from owner Allen (“Al”) Liwosz, who is a lifelong board gamer.
“Ever since I was young, my father instilled a love of board gaming in me,” he said. “He loved strategy games and he had no one to play with, so he taught his kids how to play and then he had people to play with.”
Liwosz enjoyed games like chess, “Risk” and “Axis & Allies” with his family while growing up. Later, he started playing more intense role-playing games like “Dungeons & Dragons” with friends, and continues to play regularly.
The storeowner has passed the passion on, too; Liwosz plays games with his own two children, continuing his family tradition.
Turning his passion into a career has been a longtime dream, Liwosz said.
“I was working for Drug Mart for seven years, and I really wanted to be my own boss someday,” he said. “I wanted to open my own place and see how far I could go with it on my own.”
Inside Al-American Board Game Cafe, there are multiple gameplay rooms and a selection of board games for sale. (Image courtesy Allen Liwosz)
Liwosz chose the storefront on Smith Road, which used to be a Christian coffee shop called Seekers Coffee House & Cafe. Inside, the large space allows for events and themed nights that Liwosz puts on five days a week.
Al-American Board Game Cafe hosts “Dungeons & Dragons” games on Sundays, and “Magic: The Gathering” tournaments on Mondays. History-themed games like “Risk” and “Settlers of Catan” are the focus on Wednesdays. On Fridays, customers can enjoy free karaoke, and Saturdays welcome parents and children for a family game day.
The weekly events have a discounts if customers play games associated with the theme, or show up with families on Saturdays. Normally, the cost of admission to Al-American is $5 for unlimited game play, but if customers follow themes, the fee is waived.
On Dec. 1, Al-American Board Game Cafe will host a grand opening party featuring board game raffles throughout the day. From 12-6 p.m., the shop will host a “Dungeons & Dragons” campaign called “Red Hand of Doom,” which can host multiple groups of players. The group that has the best adventure of the day will win a prize.
“It’s a cool aspect to make a game that’s not really a competition against one another, to make it a little competitive,” Liwosz said.
From 8-10 p.m., customers can take part in a karaoke competition with three judges. The best singer will win a prize at the end of the night.
Liwosz hopes that his creative programming will draw in board gamers for regular game nights. Everything from Al-American’s events, to its anime and board game-themed decor, to its wide range of board games is meant to appeal to any kind of board gamer.
“I have a lot of different things; a little bit for everybody,” Liwosz said.
You can find more information about Al-American Board Game Cafe at the business’ website.
Read more recent entertainment stories:
- Clevelander to compete in Freeform TV series ‘Wrap Battle’
- Der Braumeister 10th annual Christmas-ale tasting, Brewnuts blind test, more - beer calendar
- Dear Annie: How to gift shop for a special child
- Today's famous birthdays list for November 25, 2019 includes celebrities Ben Stein, Christina Applegate
- 2019 American Music Awards: Taylor Swift surpasses Michael Jackson’s record