Gatsby's Game Cafe opening in Westbury at Samanea New York
Neil Goldberg, the owner of Main St. Board Game Cafe in Huntington, is gearing up to open Gatsby’s Game Cafe at Samanea New York in Westbury. Credit: Linda Rosier
Neil Goldberg is about to make his move on the board. As the owner of Main St. Board Game Cafe in Huntington, he is getting ready to expand to a second location at Samanea New York in Westbury. Gatsby's Game Cafe is scheduled to open at the end of the month.
“Everybody has good memories playing board games,” says Goldberg, of Woodbury. “As we get further into the digital age, board games serve as a nostalgic look back at the past. It ignites real social interaction and creates a unique form of community.”
The cafe, on the second floor of the shopping center, will offer an extensive library of 400 games to play in a comfortable atmosphere where appetizers, beer and wine. as well as coffee and desserts. will be served while you play. There will also be more than 200 games for sale, among them Wingspan, Ticket to Ride, Monopoly, Scrabble and Life, along with game accessories.
“Board games are the largest growth part of the toy industry. They have made a big comeback in the last 10 years,” Goldberg says. “There are a lot of board games out there. The more we have, the better we can serve our customers.”
Gatsby’s Game Cafe has 4,400 square feet of space and a capacity of about 100 people across 25 tables. Gamers will pay $15 for three hours ($10 for kids under 12), giving them full access to the game library.
“You can reserve a specific time and table online, but we also accept walk-ins on a first come, first served basis depending on availability,” Goldberg says. “We have staff that can help you pick out a game and quickly show you how to play. If there’s a rules question, they can even help you get unstuck.”
Programs are being scheduled for adults during evenings and on weekend afternoons focused on games like Dungeons & Dragons, Magic the Gathering, Catan and others. There will also be after-school enrichment programs using junior versions of the same games.
“Board games bring out all walks of life,” Goldberg says. “We draw everyone from young people on dates to full families to senior citizens.”
Special events are planned such as parties for new Magic the Gathering set releases, monthly puzzle races and Game Night Live, where single people show up to play on teams.
“The heart of it all is people like to compete and be entertained,” Goldberg says. “Plus, you can play with real human beings, not just against a computer.”
If you get hungry, the menu will include snacks such as hot pretzels, mozzarella sticks, loaded nachos, chicken fingers, quesadillas, mac-and-cheese wedges, fries, plus hummus with chips. Those with a sweet tooth can try scooped ice cream, milkshakes, brownie sundaes, cake, cookies or root beer floats.
For more information, call 516-508-3002 or visit gatsbysgamecafe.com.
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
