Board games have been at the center of gatherings for years. Whether it’s an evening activity for the family, friends putting down phones to play or passing time on a rainy afternoon — favorites like Monopoly, Scattergories and Clue are at the heart of it all.
Bunnii Buglione, owner of The Rowan Craft Boutique in Southold, and her friend Eliot Ramierz are bringing that fun-loving spirit to the top floor of the Southold shop.
The board game cafe opened the first week of September with over 400 board games, including 36 kinds of Monopoly, Skee-Ball and a foosball table. The downstairs candy bar is stocked and growing to feed the passionate players, plus Buglione encourages people to come by with takeout from Latin Fuzion or other local eateries to fuel their enthusiasm.
The board game cafe is open concurring with the boutique’s hours on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 12 to 6 p.m. and Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Buglione opened the boutique in August 2024 to sell arts, crafts, local homemade goods and sweets curated by herself and other creatives. She also does tarot readings and hosts birthday parties.
In the upstairs now game-packed area, Buglione was hosting craft classes and workshops, but she’s currently renovating the space’s basement, which is more conducive to the growing class attendee base.
With the slight move, she wanted to fill the unique loft-like area.
“A friend borrows the shop when we’re closed to hang out with his friends and play Magic: The Gathering,” says Buglione. “And we were like, ‘Why don’t we just make this a board game cafe.’”
Buglione and Ramierz sourced board games through Facebook posts in North Fork groups calling for game donations or games for sale.
Community members handed over upwards of 60 games from their homes, and Ramierz drove to a Connecticut warehouse to pick up hundreds more. After thorough sorting, the pair established which games would make for a top-notch recreation space.
“Now kids can actually come here and have a place to hang out that’s appropriate for them to hang out in,” says Buglione.
To get your game on, swing by the desk on the first floor to pay $15 for 3 hours of play, $40 for a monthly membership or $95 for a household membership covering unlimited play for six people.
Buglione will also host board game events and time at the cafe is carved out for homeschooled students. Keep an eye on the boutique’s calendar for updates.
