Renovations have begun on soon-to-open business The Board Room — Tyler. The business will offer the Tyler community a space to play games, do puzzles, and more while enjoying a bite to eat or a cup of coffee.

A unique new board game café will soon be opening in Tyler. The Board Room — Tyler, owned by Dominic Mazella, will offer the Tyler community a space to play games, do puzzles, and more while enjoying a bite to eat or a cup of coffee.

Mazella likened the business to a Barnes and Noble but for board games.

“We’re a board game cafe, and we will be a combination of retail and café; if you think of Barnes and Noble on a smaller scale with board games instead of books, you’re about there,” he said. “We’ll also have a puzzle and game library, and a semi-private room for larger groups and role-playing games.”

According to Mazella, the cafe will offering “the widest selection of games and puzzles via retail, lots of play space, community events, and we’ll be looking to engage the community with Board Game Clubs in schools, churches and other community organizations.

Mazella was a high school English and theater teacher for approximately 10 years before changing careers to become a software developer. After being laid off in January, Mazella felt it was the perfect time to open the business of his dreams.

“I was laid off from two separate companies amid the technology purge and ‘reorganizations’ all the software companies started early this year,” he said. “Since this was an idea I’ve had for many years, I decided this was the time to take the plunge and chase a dream instead of trusting another company or career with my destiny.”

Mazllea said board games have been part of his life for as long as he can remember and hopes to share that passion with the community.

“I’ve loved playing board games since I was a kid. Not just for the games, but because it was an opportunity for the family to sit and enjoy being together for a few hours on the weekend. We didn’t have a lot of money, so simple games like Monopoly and Yahtzee! became our escape and our refuge,” he said. “Growing up, board games were always a part of life all through school.”

“I’ve always loved getting groups of people together over a game and just connecting with each other. It’s a completely different vibe than video games, or a night out drinking or going to the movies. Those are the experiences I want to keep alive and ‘farm’ — watching them grow from seeds into big, blossoming community relationships,” Mazella said. “The cafe part is just a nice bonus that helps people feel more comfortable and offers the ability for them to stay a little longer and have a little more fun.”

Mazella emphasize wanting to provide “a home” for Tyler’s board gaming community.

“We’re really looking to provide a destination — a home — for Tyler’s board gaming community, which is underserved by the current businesses in the area,” he said. “We want to bring younger gamers into the broad world of games and puzzles, and provide an opportunity for gamers of all ages to share their passion for gaming.”

“We’re also going to provide some of the best coffee in Tyler, and we’re currently seeking out local restaurants in order to carry their foods in our cafe, which will promote local businesses and offer an opportunity for those restaurants to reach people outside their neighborhoods,” Mazella added.

The veteran-owned business will open to everyone in the greater Tyler area and beyond with all skill levels, interests, and abilities welcome.

“We’ll teach new games, play old ones with you, and help you find new friends to share games with,” Mazella said. “We’re dedicated to building community and providing a common ground for the diverse and growing population of Tyler to come together over common interest.”

The Board Room – Tyler has a tentative opening date of Sept. 15 and will be located at 3502 South Broadway Avenue, Suite 406.

For more information, visit The Board Room – Tyler Facebook page.