Latest news with #RookRoom
Axios
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Axios
Rook Room opens Saturday with 700+ board games
The Rook Room, a board game café and lounge years in the making, officially opens its doors Saturday — and Axios got an early look during a media preview Wednesday. Why it matters: It's the only space of its kind in Des Moines, offering more than 700 unique board games to play alongside a full food and drinks menu. State of play: The new hangout is situated in the former downtown space of St. Kilda restaurant, which closed at that location late last year. What they're saying: Co-owner Tony Tandeski tells Axios he hopes the Rook Room becomes a neighborhood hub — a place where, like the 1980s TV show "Cheers," "everybody knows your name." There will be regular tournaments and game learning sessions, he said. The intrigue: Game donations are welcome, and many on the shelves are from local players. 🍽️ On the menu: A range of sandwiches and snacks, including an achiote lime chicken sandwich (mozzarella, pico de gallo and lime cream) and spicy pineapple skewers — a nod to Tandeski's favorite fruit. Specialty drinks include the Charisma Check (Jameson, pineapple juice, sour, caramel and vanilla) and the RG&T (Revelton mulberry gin, lavender syrup and tonic). If you go: Regular hours are 8am–midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and 8am–10pm on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The Rook Room opens this weekend in downtown Des Moines
DES MOINES, Iowa — The city's first game lounge and cafe with a full restaurant and bar opens this weekend at 300 SW 5th Street in Des Moines. The Rook Room features hundreds of board games and puzzles, with staff on hand to explain rules and recommend games. 'Adventure Pass' is back at Iowa public libraries The owners say opening a unique space presented a few challenges, but they are excited to see how it plays out. 'Now that we are here, we are excited to keep expanding the idea of what any kind of space could be and help build that kind of third space that's not work and it's not home. It's that third space that you can go and be yourself and build strong relationships,' said co-owner Anelise Tarnowski. The Grand Opening Celebration is from 7:00 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, May 31st. You can learn more about the space and what the Rook Room has to offer by checking out its Facebook page. The Rook Room opens this weekend in downtown Des Moines Iowa's high school musical theater talent on display in Des Moines Thursday Des Moines Airport officials say construction could cause delays Teen pleads guilty in Ellipsis employee's death Tennessee man charged with statutory rape of WDM teen reported missing over the weekend Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Six small businesses get impact loans from City of Des Moines
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Small Business Impact Loan Program is a first for the city of Des Moines, helping six first-time business owners looking to take the next step. The city granted $100,000 total, so the loans range from $5,000 to $20,000 with repayment time between three to five years. For some businesses, this meant helping to establish a brick and mortar, for others, a new addition, upgrades or more inventory. The six businesses are: 24K Juice, Black Bagel, Chandelier, Tullpa Restaurant, Rook Room and HOTORI, an Asian household goods store. 'So, we were able to get $15,000 from them to go towards inventory, go towards some build out things. They've been super helpful for us, and it's allowed us to get some flexibility in terms of like getting things going,' HOTORI owner Nam Ho said. 'So, I think programs like this with the city, it gives a little bit more room for people to get things started.' HOTORI is also hoping to share their culture with Des Moines. Caitlin Clark Foundation dishes another assist 'Having a store that carries unique products especially from Asian or Asian American makers is something that I think there's a gap in. So being able to sort of fill that, having it in our own city I think is important to having the city grow,' Ho said. 'Everyone that comes in the store kind of knows a little bit, something about culture and enjoys it themselves. I think they've been really appreciative of just being able to come in,' HOTORI co-owner Torri Myers said. Rook Room is another small business loan recipient. After six years of hosting board game events around Des Moines, they're finally opening their doors to a game lounge and cafe at the end of the month. 'The city having a program where if you're denied other sources of funding, when people don't quite get your vision of bringing up first of its kind concept to a new city, the city that can then step in and make that happen. That's amazing' Rook Room co-owner Tony Tandeski said. 'We have talked to so many people that are like, okay, so are you a bar? Are you a restaurant? Are you a cafe? What are you? I don't get the game concept. Are you an event center? We're not understanding the concept. For the city to be able to come in and say, I believe in your vision. I believe in what you can create. I believe in what you're bringing to this area of the city and then put the money behind that, the funds to actually make it happen, make that dream a reality. It feels so good to have somebody believe in you, and for that city to back you up to make that dream a reality.' Metro News: Six small businesses get impact loans from City of Des Moines ARL sees rise in highly contagious canine virus in Des Moines Des Moines officer was 'legally justified' in March shooting of assault suspect, county attorney says Scholastic Spotlight: Waukee's baby chicks Golf tournament raises $30,000 for families of Iowa veterans and first responders in first swing Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
