Do you or your child spend too much time with your electronics? Unplug and wind down at Plymouth’s new electronic-free board game lounge, 3&Up, for some serious fun and games.
In a day of disgruntled digital birds and egg-stealing pigs, board games might seem a little outdated. But to Chris and Angela Erwin – parents of two (ages 7 and 4) and co-owners of 3&Up – they are far from old school.
“Since when is spending time with people old school?” Angela says. “It shouldn’t be old school.”
The lounge began as an idea to bring friends and family closer together.
“As time went by, we found ourselves starting to chase this mission to reconnect people,” says Chris. “It started off with, ‘How can we create a community where people can feel comfortable in their skin? How can we create a place where people can come and spend time together with each other?’”
A board game lounge, however, was not the couple’s first idea. They initially thought of opening a community center, but decided they wanted something more specific to engage people. Remembering a board game café in Toronto they visited a few years earlier, they went for it.
3&Up offers more than 1,000 games in seven categories. Plus, playing is easier than rolling a die. Simply show up, read the rules, get a visitor card (which acts as a tab), swipe in, pick a game, swipe out and pay.
Michigan-made goodies are available in the snack bar, but feel free to bring your own treats. Most games are, indeed, fun for ages 3 and up, though infants are more are welcome – as long as they can “power down,” too!
– C.C.
