Cabarrus County Is Home to NC’s Largest Board Game Café

CONTRIBUTOR: KAYLA CHADWICK-SCHULTZ

Tucked beneath a variety of delicious restaurant offerings, on the lower level of the Gibson Mill Market, there is a place where all imaginations are welcome.

• It’s a place where fathers and daughters can bond over the shared joy of good storytelling. It’s a place where new friendships are formed and old ones are rekindled during hours-long adventures. It’s a place where regulars arrive at their usual café order waiting for them at their usual table because the owners actually took the time to get to know them.

In truth, this unassuming ground-level location is more than just a place; it’s magic—and it just so happens to be North Carolina’s largest board game café.

🎲 What is a board game café?
No matter your age, race, gender, religion, and everything in between, you are certain to find your fun at Luck Factory Games in Concord. This entertainment destination offers an expansive library of over 1,200 board games for you to play while you enjoy a tasty treat or beverage. All you have to do is purchase a $5 day pass and you’re free to play whatever you want until the store closes. Yes, that’s really it! Let’s talk about what makes this such an exceptional deal…

• A popular game like Settlers of Catan costs about $50, making it even more difficult to justify buying something simply because you want to “try it.” At Luck Factory, you can try as many games as you’d like without breaking the bank.
• Speaking of trying games, you do not have to be an experienced board game player in order to enjoy everything the café has to offer. In fact, they specialize in non-gamers. Just let the staff know that you’re new to gaming, and they’ll find the perfect game for you. All you have to do is answer three simple questions.
• What makes the experience even better is the fact that the staff will actually teach you how to play! There is no need to flip your way through an instruction manual only to still be confused about what the rules are. You’ll have enthusiastic helpers for as long as you need them.
• This is an especially great opportunity for young players to learn. And with all players aged 6 and under able to play for FREE with an accompanying adult, the price is certainly right.

But there is so much more to Luck Factory Games than its obvious value. First and foremost, there are Nick and Alison.

👫 Nick and Alison Paladino are the husband-and-wife duo behind Luck Factory, and they’re easily the biggest reason why the café is such a success. Originally from Nebraska, where they fell in love with board game cafés, these Cabarrus County residents quickly discovered that nothing similar existed within a wide radius of their new home. They enjoyed visiting these cafés all over the country as they traveled, but they ultimately knew that the only way to fill the tabletop-sized hole in their hearts was to open their own. So, that’s exactly what they did.

Within just a few short years, the success of Luck Factory Games has proven the Paladino’s right. This was something the community desperately wanted, and Nick has a pretty good idea of why.

• “Board games are a great unifier,” he said as he gave Cabarrus Weekly a tour of their fairly large facility. “Everyone can play.”

Who will you find at Luck Factory? There are young children guiding grandparents through the “Family” section of games and groups of diverse thirtysomethings enjoying beers around a gaming table. You’ll also find some puzzle fanatics who like a little friendly competition at the Puzzle Challenges that are offered every month!

Alison aptly compared it to Cheers, because she and Nick really do their best to learn everyone’s names. In that way, it feels a lot like home. However, unlike the reality of home, there is not a single electronic device on display.

Everyone there is present with each other and eager to connect. And many of them do that by connecting through one very popular event…

🐉 Besides their enormous board game library, Luck Factory’s biggest draw, garnering around 40 players each session, is Dungeons & Dragons. That’s right, the classic tabletop role-playing game that’s been around since the mid-1970s.

• While some of you may recognize the game from its popular role in Netflix’s Stranger Things, others may still conjure up the stereotypical image of what D&D used to look like—but let’s be honest… The days of Dungeons & Dragons being reserved for the nerdiest among us are long gone. This game is for everyone.

Seriously, “as soon as you have an interest, you can play,” according to Nick. That’s because Luck Factory plays D&D a little differently. Luck Factory’s weekly Dungeons & Dragons sessions are created entirely from the minds of local Dungeon Masters (DMs).

• These are members of the community who get together and create player-driven narratives for you to participate in. All you have to do is show up on a Wednesday or Saturday. No really, that’s it! Luck Factory will provide all the tools you need, including dice and a character sheet, to get you started.

📅 Beginners welcome! Now, if you are super new to the entire D&D experience and feel a little intimidated by the idea of just jumping into the fray, your best bet is to show up on the first Wednesday of the month.

• This day has a table designated exclusively for first-time players, making it a great way to learn the game without any pressure. Luck Factory prides itself on being an entry into the popular game, noting that over half of the 100+ people currently playing in their weekly sessions learned how to play from them.

Truthfully, we could spend hours on end talking about the incredible, hands-on experience of playing Dungeons & Dragons at Luck Factory Games. There is so much to do and see within just an hour of visiting one of their weekly sessions.

• So, instead of telling you every single thing about every little detail, we simply encourage you to stop by and witness it for yourself. You’re sure to encounter Nick’s friendly smile and Alison’s attentive service the moment you step through the door!

Dungeons & Dragons is played every Wednesday night from 6-10pm and every Saturday from 1-4pm. You can RSVP via their Discord Link or by emailing Nick directly and he can share how to register.

Feel free to tell them that Cabarrus Weekly sent you and that you’re eager to learn more about at the board game café has to offer. In the meantime, head over to luckfactorygames.com and explore their game library, café menu, and private event options or follow them on Facebook or Instagram to stay in the loop. You will not regret becoming a part of this diverse, friendly community of gamers. We certainly don’t!

Planning to visit? Tell ’em Cabarrus Weekly sent ya!