Today we’d like to introduce you to Madeline Davis.
Hi Madeline, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My husband, Chase, and myself have been playing games and hosting game nights together since we started dating (13 years ago!) It’s always been about the quality time, community, and joy of gaming for us. We hosted often in college and have made some of most dear friends through gaming.
We realized gaming was not just a hobby, but how we wanted to spend our lives. We didn’t know quite what it would look like – a full restaurant with games? A cafe? An event center? We just knew we wanted a safe space to share games with others.
After a few months and a little bit of serendipity, we crossed paths with TableTop Game & Hobby and shop owners – Phil and Lynn Kilgore. We all met and discussed our plans. They wanted someone to open a cafe, to run events, and have an event space, and we wanted a place our customers could buy and learn about games. It was PERFECT.
It took us almost three years to develop our model with TableTop, but we opened our first location inJanuary 5th, 2021 to an amazing community. We continued to grow over the years and knew we needed to expand into other areas of KC if we could.
Chase and I would do business meetings at Lenexa Public Market and bring games for date nights. When the opportunity opened for a merchant spot here, we knew we needed to apply. It’s been a wonderful time bringing the hobby to the market and seeing all the variety of food sharing the table with our games!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Between Covid, an election year, and a completely different clientele at the market, it definitely has not been smooth sailing. But we’ve had so much support, kindness, and opportunities for growth a long the way that we’re grateful for.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We’re a game cafe! That itself is fun and unique. Then you add our unique menu, waffles, boba, and nerdy drinks, and you’ve got a super fun environment. We’re proud of the community we’ve helped foster and love being at the market – they’re inviting, kind, passionate, and amazing!
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Being a nerd is so fun! There are so many options for nerdy consumption. Chase and I really like: The Magnus Archives Podcast, Within the Wires Podcast, Stormlight Archives Book, and anything by Silvia Moreno Garcia or V.E. Schwab!
Professionally, we utilize Board Game Geek as a board game resource, the vast knowledge of our community and gaming ambassadors, and Notion for our internal organization.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cardboardcornerkc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cardboardcornerkc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cardboardcornerkc
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@cardboardcornerkc
