Established in 2017, the local Abbotsford business Boardwalk Cafe and Games has transitioned through turbulent times of uncertainty throughout the years. Darin Graham, the owner and operator of the café, opened up about what inspired him to start up his business and some of the changes and challenges his café has gone through, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation.
What inspired you to start up Boardwalk Cafe and Games, and how long have you been in business?
We opened the doors to Boardwalk in January of 2017. We were inspired to create Boardwalk after visiting a number of board game cafés in other cities. We knew that there was a lack of entertainment options in the Fraser Valley and believed that the community would enjoy a unique experience like what we had in mind. So, we took a chance and here we are.
What do you find draws people to Boardwalk?
It seems like people value having a place to gather that is social and experiential. It’s different then going to a traditional restaurant as you are sharing more than a meal. As well, since the housing market is really challenging for many people, we don’t all have the opportunity to own a space that we can gather our friends in. If we have to negotiate with roommates about having a group of friends over or if we have a really small apartment, it makes it challenging to have meaningful social encounters with people. Having a social space that you don’t have to worry about cleaning up, buying snacks, or if there’s going to be a big enough table makes it a lot easier in today’s housing market.
You have different membership deals. Can you talk about some of the perks of becoming a member?
Our members enjoy free cover for regular gaming, 10 per cent off of special ticketed events, and 50 per cent off of ongoing and drop-in role playing game events. They also get 10 per cent off of retail purchases of new games and accessories.
You have different regular events such as Family Game Sunday, Board Game Blitz, Boardwalk Chess Club, Boardgame Meetup, and Drop-in Dungeons and Dragons. How have these events helped establish community engagement and connections for the business?
Our events have been a huge gathering point for many people. We’ve really diversified the types of events that we offer in order to give options for just about every type of gamer. We’ve been able to build strong relationships with many of the people that come for events and we’ve seen many friendships grow through them as well. Our role-playing game events have been especially meaningful for people as they come together week after week and go from strangers to friends!
What changes have you made to Boardwalk Cafe and Games since opening, i.e. ambience, business, merchandise, menu, etc?
Along with moving locations in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve really tried to dial in our food and drink menu in order to operate more like a traditional restaurant. This means more meal-type options like flatbreads so that our customers can ensure that we’ll take care of their whole evening.
What has been the greatest challenge(s) Boardwalk has encountered in the midst of all the inflation?
Obviously the cost of goods has increased on many of our core ingredients like milk, butter, and cheese. We’ve also seen other expenses grow, like property tax, which means our rent increases. Minimum wage increases have also caused our staffing costs to grow significantly. Unfortunately, it means that we have to raise some prices here and there. Like most small businesses, we will probably have to continue to do that in order to ensure the long term viability of our company.
What would you like to see done in the future at Boardwalk?
We’re looking at some minor tweaks to our physical space in order to create a more intimate ambiance. We’re also looking at our decor to ensure that all our customers are able to see themselves within the hobby as a whole. Historically, this has meant finding a way to bring BIPOC and LGBTQ+ representation to the forefront through art installations. It’s not really a secret that the tabletop games hobby is pretty homogenous, and straight, and white, and male. So, we have been as proactive as possible to ensure that other groups are meaningfully represented.
What is the most rewarding aspect of running Boardwalk Cafe and Games?
It’s rewarding to see people enjoy a concept that we’ve built from the ground up. To see people interacting with the space in a way that we imagined years ago is really sweet. It still has a plethora of challenges and stress points, but the community that has supported us and been built out by us is very rewarding.
Rachel is working towards a BA with a concentration in English and Theatre. She has been employed at The Cascade since Fall 2021 as a Staff Writer and a Jr. News Editor. Currently, she is the sectional News Editor and enjoys meeting and interviewing people as well as taking long walks in nature. Rachel also likes to stay up to date on the latest trends and informs students through her fashion column entitled Campus Fashion.
