Pieces Board Game Bar and Cafe is moving from 1535 S. 8th St. in Soulard to its new home one mile away at 2727 S. 12th St. in south Soulard. The new address may seem familiar, since that building is also the home of Antagonist Cafe. Both businesses are owned by spouses Laura Leister and James Lettau, and Ameet Rawal.
Leister shared that the game bar had been in the same space since it opened in late 2016; however, ahead of the lease ending this past fall, the owners started discussing their next move. In those discussions, there were a lot of factors to consider, and the biggest points were the effects of inflation on the industry, and whether it was worth it to sign a new lease or if they should hang it up and close all together. Ultimately, they decided the best thing to do would be to buy their business’s next home.
“We just couldn’t say goodbye to Pieces. It was our first business and we adore our customers and everyone who works there,” she said.
One requirement when they began looking for the new home was more space, since it wasn’t unheard of for guests to wait up to an hour for a table at the Eighth Street location. With 4,000 square feet dedicated to Pieces at the new Twelfth Street space, the concept has doubled the footprint of the previous location. Included in the added square footage are a handful of private gaming rooms and a covered patio that features a wood-burning fireplace where guests will be able to gather for drinks, food and gaming.
The new space is a historic structure that was a former police precinct and a hub for EMS services. Leister acknowledges that it may seem strange to open in the former precinct, and although the ownership loves history and are proud to give new life to the structure, she’s quick to point out that the move isn’t a way to romanticize the past or the building’s original purpose.
“We’re taking a building that hasn’t always had the most positive atmosphere and turning into a space that will hold happy memories.”
Both inside and out, the building features lots of art deco design elements, which the ownership has embraced and the design plays a part in both concepts. In the Pieces space, the team has created an art deco mural, installed tiles and records on the wall to keep in line with the historic theme. The glam will also encompass the wraparound bar, which is triple the size of the bar at the original location, offering more storage, more taps and will allow Pieces to expand its wine list.
“We’re expanding the drink menu because of the bar,” Leister said.
Guests should expect to see more selections on the food side of the menu as well, since they’re adding a fryer. At the previous location the kitchen was an open concept and using a fryer in that space put too much oil into the air, which wasn’t good for the game library long term.
Soon, the establishment can bring back their lumpia, an item Leister, who is Filipino, grew up eating with her family. Another item making its way to the menu will be samosas, a flaky, fried pastry that contains savory fillings, which are a nod to Ameet’s Indian heritage.
Although Pieces is temporarily closed while the move takes place, you won’t have to wait long to visit the new space. Currently, the team is planning to have a series of private soft openings for friends and long-time regular Pieces customers during the week, with their first public soft opening taking place this Saturday, Feb. 8, from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. On Sunday, Feb. 9, Pieces will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for brunch service and from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. for dinner service. Pieces is closed on Mondays, but the business will start its normal hours of operations in its new home on Tuesday, Feb. 11.
Check out the slideshow below for a look at the new space.
