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By DONALD MOTTERN | Staff Writer 

PELHAM – Owners Nick Hammett and Adam Valentine issued a thanks to the many businesses who hosted them over the years and to the number of investors and fans who have helped make the Valhalla Board Game Café’s new brick and mortar location a reality during the business’s grand opening.

“In late 2019, the concept of a board game cafe was formed,” Valentine said. “In early 2020, Valhalla held its first board game event in Inverness, Alabama. Our welcome sign was a simple chalkboard propped on a chair. Over the course of the next four years, we’ve moved around, grown as a business, made friends and developed partnerships. (Now), we get to see our dream finally come true.”

Valhalla’s new permanent location at 2408 Pelham Pkwy; Suite 400 has been months in the making and follows the team’s procurement of the space at Campus No. 124 and its subsequent renovation and stylization.

The crew at Valhalla Board Game Café contracted Elledge Construction and since late February have ultimately transformed the space into a Viking-themed gathering space that fits the concept’s theme complete with lantern-style lighting fixtures and wooden bar.

The interior wall outside the business is also painted to resemble the exterior of a Viking tavern, and thanks to Emma Gilbert Art, two murals are also present at the business. The first, inside the business, features Hammett, Valentine and other members of the Valhalla team in a stylized depiction of Vikings gathered around a communal table while the second, which can be found on the outdoor patio, is a full-wall scene depicting a stag deer in a mythically enhanced natural setting.

These enhancements were all on display when the Valhalla Board Game Café opened its doors for its official grand opening on Saturday, June 1.

“We’re so thankful to the community for showing up to supporting us on our big day,” Valentine said. “We also couldn’t have done it without our great team.”

That opening, which was enhanced by the business hosting an afterparty for the Iron City Comic Con, saw the business left with standing room only as individuals poured in to the establishment and enjoyed what the café has to offer.

“We had so many visitors for our grand opening,” Valentine said. “We even filled our overflow tables. The passion for tabletop gaming is strong, and this is proof.”

Currently, the Valhalla Board Game Café is open on Monday and Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesday through Sunday. Those hours are currently subject to change.

While open, visitors are welcome to not only play and purchase games, but also purchase and enjoy sandwiches from the café that are made with Boar’s Head ingredients and grab a coffee, latte or espresso made from Adventurer’s Coffee Co. beans.