Playful Pages

At 2:15 on a Wednesday afternoon, the Magnolia Park Courtyard near Governor’s Square. Laughter radiates from a nearby table as well as the soft shuffle of cards, and gentle jazz smooths the background. A few feet away, a woman turns the page of her book, her coffee resting beside her. No one is whispering. No one feels uncomfortable. The space is calm but full of life.

This is the new home of My Favorite Books, now partnered with Courtyard Café & Games in the courtyard plaza near Governor’s Square. Together, owners Sue Tabaka-Kritzeck and James Chapman have created a space that is more than just a bookstore or café. It is a place where people can read, play, talk, and relax.

In the café space, customers enjoy coffee and the board game Azul. The surrounding bookshelves provide plenty of options for the next adventure.

Photo by Lindsey Masterson

GET LOST IN THE STORY

When you walk inside, the books first catch your attention. Classic titles and carefully chosen selections sit next to open spaces waiting to be filled. Then you notice the tables.

Some are set up for board games, while others are used for reading or conversation. Chessboards rest in media res, Monopoly money is stacked on tables, and Scrabble tiles are spread out as players think about their next move. Here, the quiet focus of readers blends with the energy of multiplayer games. Nothing feels out of place.

For Tabaka-Kritzeck, that feeling is intentional. “I want [customers] to breathe a sigh of relief as they look around and think, ‘Wow, I could come here and feel comfortable,’” Tabaka-Kritzeck says. “I want them to feel a sense of home.”

Moments inside the store often reflect that vision. She recalled a recent visit from a young girl and her grandmother who paused their book shopping to play Candy Land together.

“It made me feel so good that not only did they come and buy books, but they had that experience together,” she says.

Photo by Lindsey Masterson

SHARING IS CARING

The partnership between the bookstore and the game café offers something different. Chapman, who has been in the gaming business for years, notes that the game store came first then books were added to the mix.

“People come in, pay a small fee, writers, poets, get a drink, and they can play all day,” Chapman says of his side of the business model.

The café now holds hundreds of to keep the love of books and strategy games, creating a space for a dedicated community of players

“It’s something for people to do outside the norm,” Chapman says.

Now, with books added into the mix, the space naturally brings different groups together. Chapman notes, “A lot of gamers are book readers.”

For book lovers, the space offers something just as valuable as a chessboard or Mahjong set: permission. Permission to read with a drink in hand, to take breaks and talk, and to connect with others who love stories.

“My greatest love is connecting the right person to the right book,” Tabaka-Kritzeck says.

Photo by Lindsey Masterson

FACING FORWARD

Third spaces are becoming more popular as bookstores seek new ways to invite loyal visitors. And Tabaka- Kritzeck says her goal goes beyond selling books. “I want [the store] to be a haven for writers, poets, artists,” she said. “I want to keep the love of books and reading alive.”

The store regularly supports local authors, artists, and creators, offering space to share their work and connect with the community.

Looking forward, both owners hope to grow without losing what makes the space special. Plans for expanded food options and a full bakery are already in motion.

But for Tabaka-Kritzeck, the mission remains simple. “I want to keep the coziness, the slow pace,” she said. “I never want [the store] to become something that only appeals to one type of person.”