Springfield board game cafe gets its start

A new board game cafe is debuting in Springfield.

Tomorrow is the scheduled grand opening for Village Meeple, 1570 E. Battlefield Road, Ste. F, in The Galleria Shopping Center, according to the company's Facebook page.

Jess Hamlet said via Facebook Messenger that she owns the venture, which is located in 2,500 square feet that previously has housed a tattoo parlor and call center.

"We love this community. I think a board game cafe is a great place to bring people together, to do something fun, to interact with each other and to challenge our brains a little," Hamlet said.

Village Meeple charges a $5 per person admission fee to access an array of board games and also offers snacks and drinks, including alcohol, according to its website. The word "meeple" refers to a small figure that's used as a playing piece in board games, according to the website.

"Our library has over 350 games. We have around 100 different games available for purchase," Hamlet said.

The business was registered as Village Meeple LLC with the Missouri secretary of state's office on March 5.

In The Galleria, Village Meeple joins tenants including the newly opened Bricks & Minifigs Lego store and Big Whiskey’s. Across the street is Battlefield Mall and Old Time Pottery.