NORTH PROVIDENCE – The Game House, set to open soon in the former David’s Furniture building at 1726 Smith St., is built on a simple concept, say its founders, August Bogner and Genesis Sanchez.
The foundation of this new business is the simple belief that the best nights aren’t spent scrolling a phone or binging TV, they’re built around a table, laughing, strategizing, and making memories with friends and loved ones, they say.
The North Providence Planning Board, on May 13, recommended that the Zoning Board approve parking relief for an eight-spot parking variance for the business under minimum off-street parking requirements for a board game lounge in an existing unit, located next to others.
Building owner Carlos Rodrigues attended the meeting with Bogner and Sanchez.
Board members, including some who are fans of the board game Catan, got clarification that this request was a simple situation of a former furniture store being divided into multiple uses and each use now requiring its own set of parking requirements.
While other businesses in the building are mostly of the 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. variety, said Rodrigues, so it works well for them since they’re planning to open at 5 p.m. Much of their clientele will be students from high schools and universities, he said.
The Game House is set to open on June 21, Sanchez told The Local Insider, assuming they get final zoning approval next week based on the Planning Board’s recommendation.
“Gather your crew. Pick a Game. Let the night unfold. Good coffee meets great company,” states the company website, found at www.thegamehouseri.com. It is designed to be more than a cafe, also a community.
Take a tour of The Game House:
“Whether you’re a seasoned strategist or picking up your very first game, our staff is here to help you find the right fit,” they add. “From quick 20-minute fillers to epic 3-hour adventures, we have something for everyone. Grab a coffee or a hot chocolate, settle in, and don’t be surprised when one game turns into three. That’s exactly the point.”
Sanchez told the board they intend to start with a smaller food menu as a board game hub with that supports refreshments, such as hot chocolate and coffee. They’re also allowed to serve anything that’s “not hotter than a hot dog” so they don’t have to go for a kitchen right now, she said. There’s space for a kitchen, but it will be popcorn, candy, and chips to start, she said.
Responding to questions about Catan from Chairperson David Parente, a self-proclaimed expert, she said they have six copies of the game. They’ll have a separate office suite for contest or staff-led games, she said.
Sanchez and Bogner, both big game lovers going way back, say this is a passion project. They’re nervous, but starting small, they said, and they’ve felt so much support amid strong interest in what they’re planning to do.
Hours will be 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, and 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Parente said he agreed with member Gary Ayrassian in supporting the variance in part due to the town’s design for a commercial village zoning district, which relies more on people walking to businesses from their homes and not as much on vehicle traffic.
In 2019, this writer reported for The Breeze that David’s Furniture was closing after 46 years in business, as owners Mark and Rick Papazian, who took over the business for their father David, said they were unable to find a company to buy their brand. The store was located across from the former Christiansen’s Dairy.
