EMMAUS, Pa. — A new board game shop is on its way to Emmaus Triangle, with hopes it could become a spot for all types of tabletop players.
And nearby, a new coffee shop to open soon.
Thomas Boone, owner of Board to Death Games at 338 Main St., just off the Emmaus Triangle, said he wants to be a space for both classic board games and more hardcore hobbyist games.
That means everything from Clue to Warhammer miniatures and Magic: The Gathering booster packs.
"I really hope to become a place where hobbyists and gamers can make friends and meet like-minded people," Boone said.
"I'm most excited to be a part of the Emmaus Triangle, serve some people that aren't yet into board games, and turn them into fans."
The store will open in the former lot of Emmaus Gold and Diamond.
The store is set to open on Nov. 27, and a formal ribbon-cutting and grand opening led by East Penn Chamber of Commerce will be at noon Nov. 30.
Plans are to be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, with hours subject to change based on demand.
Just down the road on the same side of the Triangle, Let's Go Coffee Co. is set to open at 358 Main St., at the prior location of Golden Trigger gun shop.
Owner Mandy Siess has said on Instagram that the site will be opening soon, after formerly operating out of a mobile trailer. No official date has been announced.
The site will feature various cafe staple coffee drinks and made on-site gluten-free baked goods.
Excited for the Triangle community
Boone cites Mystery Box Games in Easton, which holds many tabletop events for the area, as a big inspiration.
He said he has become a regular there, but with that store sitting half an hour away, he wanted to bring something to Emmaus.
"I hope I can be as welcoming as they are, like, what they've done is create a sense of community," Boone said.
He said the store's owners, Barbara Vasconez and Mik Matiss, have been a big help bringing the idea to life. He said they have set him up with resources and tips for marketing and distribution.
"They've been super helpful and it's super encouraging," Boone said. "This is super nice to have a spot that it can kind of emulate."
Boone grew up in Sacramento, California, before relocating to Emmaus early this year with his girlfriend, who has been assisting with the design of the new space and its marketing graphics.
After some time searching for a venue for games and hangouts nearby, he jumped on the opportunity to open his own in the Triangle.
Boone said he hopes to use the space to hold events outdoors and engage with the popular Sunday farmers' market and other festivals that take place there.
Word of the opening of Let's Go coffee comes months after Nowhere Coffee Co.'s Emmaus location down the street closed.
That followed a public dispute between the owners and landlord and Borough Council President Chad Balliet.
Boone said he hopes collaboration or shared business can occur between the game store and the coffee shop, or next-door Morty's Steaks.
