Today we’d like to introduce you to Mari Williams.
Hi Mari, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started with Pieces in January 2017, one month after the Grand Opening. I had many years of general management experience but was hoping to just relax and serve tables for a bit. Surprise! I was quickly promoted to game curator, then assistant manager, and now general manager.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Pieces ownership makes it easy! They are wonderful humans that do everything in their power to take care of their staff. The pandemic was hard, as it was for every restaurant, but most of the staff waited for Pieces to reopen after almost an entire year closed. We couldn’t wait to get back to the job we loved. In 2024, we outgrew our original space and moved into a location one mile away that was double our original location. Moving to a new location was so exciting, but definitely a challenge! We feel so lucky to have survived Covid and expand only a few years later.
We’ve been impressed with Pieces Board Game Bar, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Pieces is just so cool! Our guests get to have a board game night whenever they want without having to clean up after their friends, preparing food, or buying games they may never play again. What sets us apart and makes Pieces so awesome is a mix of our fun nerdy staff, wide selection of games, creative food and drink menu, and the unique atmosphere. We have over 1200 board games and are always stocking our shelves with new selections. Our staff loves to suggest and teach groups new games. It’s a voluminous library, so we’re always here to help sort through the stacks help pick something based on the group’s personality. We use our down time to learn, teach and play new games together so that we can guide you through rules or at least be a fair referee! Our food is so tasty, and we try to have something for everyone. Our vision is to have people stay and play games for as long as they want so we have plenty of variety to choose from on our menus. Many restaurants try to turn tables quickly, but not us, we love when you stay for a while! We urge our team to create fun drink and food recipes that they like so the menu changes from time to time. We have so much variety! From loaded waffle fries and mac and cheeses to bulgogi tacos! One menu item that has been on since day one is our poke bowl with tofu. Our bartenders have a ton of fun creating fun new seasonal drinks and who knows what we might use as a garnish! Candy, rubber ducks, bomb pops!? Also, did I mention that we are in an historic building built nearly 100 years ago? During the day, our sister store, Antagonist Cafe, runs the front of the building as a coffeeshop. At night, Pieces opens as the board game bar and restaurant. It’s such a good use of the massive building that once served as a municipal building from the 1930s to the 1990s. We tried to keep as much of the original touches as possible, but we spiced a few things up! Like the old holding cells (which we now call vaults, that you can rent for private events) and the garage (where they used to keep police cars and ambulances) which is now Pieces!
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Don’t take anything too seriously! I have also learned that life is more fun when you let your inner child lead the way! Pieces is the perfect place for me! There are games and treats everywhere. It doesn’t feel like a “grown-up” job at all and I love it… even on the hard days.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stlpieces.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/STLpieces/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/STLpieces/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/waitlist/pieces-the-st-louis-board-game-bar-and-cafe-st-louis
