David Narbaitz is anticipating the opening of his new café in the coming weeks. It will feature more than 600 board games.
When David Narbaitz first dreamed of opening a board games café, he envisioned walls lined with colourful boxes of Monopoly and other classics, a display of snacks and sandwiches, and a bar serving a wide range of coffee, tea, and beer.
Now his dreams are on the verge of becoming a reality. Monopolatté, a brightly painted little café on Somerset Street, only awaits city approval to open its doors to customers interested in sipping a drink while playing one of the 670 games Narbaitz has collected over the years.
Narbaitz had previously hoped to open Monopolatté’s doors in August. The café looks ready, but is still waiting on a city zoning permit. “Before, although this (building) was a bookstore, it was set to residential mode and now I have to reset it to commercial mode, and that requires a permit,” says Narbaitz.
“If I knew what (the amount of time) is, I’d be the happiest person in the world.”
Anxious to get started, Narbaitz calls this his “dream job.”
“I feel like I’m in my element, like this is what I’m meant to do. I’m making people happy, helping them enjoy themselves. I guess that’s who I am.”
The concept of the café is very similar to Snakes and Lattes in Toronto. There would be a $5 cover charge for patrons to come in and play as many games as they would like.
The café has received a warm welcome from most of the community. Shirley Sang of the Somerset Street Business Improvement Area says she is happy to have a different business concept taking shape in the area.
“We already have six or seven coffee shops (in the BIA), and three in that area,” Sang says. “Each has their own special feature, each brings their own culture and we are very happy.”
Not everyone has received the news of Monopolatté with pleasure. Sangmee Ahn, owner of Umicafé, is unsure about another café opening so close to her own. This is more of a concern than usual because construction on nearby Bronson Avenue is affecting businesses everywhere in the area.
“Monopolatté isn’t open yet, so I’m not sure,” says Ahn. “If the food is similar, we may have to share customers. But it also brings more people to the area.”
Krissy White, co-owner of The Daily Grind café on Somerset Street, is excited for the changes coming to the area marked by a place like Monopolatté.
“We’ll be better able to compete with areas like Hintonburg and the Market,” says White. “We’ll be more of a destination in the city . . . this area is more affordable in terms of rent, so I can see it really taking off.”
Karen Nielsen, co-owner of High Jinx on Somerset Street, is keen for Monopolatté to open simply because she says it will be “an affordable place to get a grilled cheese.”
Narbaitz’s ultimate goal for Monopolatté is to create a place where everyone feels comfortable.
“Board games don’t target demographics,” he says. “No one’s ever been kicked out of a board game because their shoes aren’t red enough, or they’re not tall enough or they can’t throw a football fast enough.
“Everyone can have the same amount of fun playing a board game. Everyone can have the same chance of winning.”