About Us

We are two Iowa City transplants whose passion for intentional, inclusive community spaces and shared love of board games inspired a dream to build a board game cafe in Iowa City. Board games have provided endless hours of joy, companionship, and conversation for both of us, so we see this idea as a way to welcome more people into this space and make a difference in the town we love.

Photo of Sean sitting, looking off camera, wearing a dark jacket, backlit by the sun with mountains behind him

Sean Finn (he/him)  

I first moved to Iowa City in 2014 to attend the University of Iowa and fell in love with the community, especially summer events like Arts Fest, Pride, and Jazz Fest. I became deeply involved in the LGBTQ+ community, leading groups like the UI Trans Alliance, and dreamed of one day opening a queer cafe in Iowa City. After graduation, I moved to New York City for a job in reproductive health and rights research, followed by a move to Chicago for a master's degree in applied statistics. All the while, I missed the sense of community and belonging I experienced in Iowa City. Finally, I reunited with Nolan and moved back to Iowa in July 2021 to work for Common Good Iowa, a research and advocacy nonprofit that advances public policy for the common good in our state. I am eager to finally bring our dreams to fruition by creating a queer-inclusive, warm and welcoming board game cafe to a community I love.


Photo of Nolan in a light blue button-down, with his hand extended in an expression of emphasis to match his facial expression, on a white background

Nolan Petersen (he/him)

From my roots on an Eastern Iowa dairy farm to my (nearly) 15 years in Iowa City, I am a firm believer in the power of investing in the places I call home. I have invested myself in Iowa City through being a founder for UI’s first queer fraternity, working in the nonprofits arts for over 10 years (first at The Englert and then with Strengthen⋅Grow⋅Evolve capital campaign), serving as Festival Operations Director for Iowa City Pride, serving as Board Chair for The Quire (Eastern Iowa’s LGBTQ chorus), and working at Iowa City’s local journalism powerhouse, Little Village Magazine. These opportunities have enriched my understanding of Iowa City’s unique charm and have connected me to so many other passionate people, which has fueled the dream Sean and I share: opening a business that provides joy, comfort, and a sense of belonging for those who are sharing our home here in Iowa City. 


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