The Weekly Grind - September 21st, 2026 Newsletter
A Personal Note from Dana:
Well friends, I'm a couple weeks behind with this newsletter but we're here now.
It's possible you may have already heard that Critical Grind's Board Game Cafe will be closing. Our last day of operations is Sunday, October 25th. This was not a decision we made, but one made for us, by the current state of the economy, a lack of sales, and an expiring lease.
We are sad to leave our space, but we are not done bringing community together. Critical Grind started 8 years ago as an event company. We will be doing gaming pop-ups at many local businesses and organizations. Our plan is to have a physical space of our own again but we do not have a timeline and we don't know what that's going to look like.
While I greatly appreciate all the sentiments of "save the grind" and "if we raise X amount of money...." it isn't going to save the location. It could help me with some of the current debts and help us bounce back a little faster. But this particular location is no longer ours.
I do not have a timeline for a new location for a few reasons. I don't have the capital for another build-out. I don't have the credit for a loan or a new lease. And my personal life has some catching up to do. I'm going through a divorce, Shaun is no longer a part of Critical Grind, and I need to prioritize my own living situation before the cafe's.
Here's what we do know:
We're selling some of our game library, art, furniture, equipment, and other items. Others will be put in storage for our gaming events or future space.
Furniture purchased, we are holding for pick up until between End of Day Sunday, October 25th and Friday, October 30th.
Our staff is looking for job opportunities, so let us know if you have leads.
We will still be attending Lodge Con. For those who don't know, Lodge Con is a local gaming convention at the Will County Fairgrounds in Peotone.
While there isn't a schedule yet we have a lot of local businesses we're talking to about hosting gaming in their spaces.
How to stay connected!
Follow our social media (Facebook, Instagram, & TikTok)
Join our Discord
Stay on our email list.
Here's what we don't know:
Where we're going to be and when (Except for tomorrow, 9/22 from 5pm - 7pm @ Shorewood Library and Sunday, 10/4 from 2pm - 5pm @ Ingalls Park UMC in Joliet)
Specifics of what's going to happen with the Patreon. (I know we updated everything just before the announcement. It was honestly really bad timing. I received the email from the landlord a couple days after restructuring and well... here we are.) I suggest keeping your subscription active until the end of October to continue receiving your cafe item discounts. If you have the means to stay on any of the tiers in the "in-between" of the cafe closing and the new system in place, every little bit helps and you are appreciated. Otherwise, please do not feel obligated. Below are the considerations we're making when evaluating the Patreon.
Some locations will pay us to be there. Other locations will simply let us use their space. The ladder will require us to charge our players, as we have been.
Some players are discussing playing virtually in the Discord, on Virtual Tabletop, Board Game Arena, and other online platforms. Private channels or Critical Grind paying for these services and hosting is a possibility.
We're considering the logistics of continuing to rent games.
When we're getting another building.
As I mentioned above, I need to focus on getting the ground beneath my feet and my head above water before finding a new place. But I have a lot of ideas and we'll see what works as time goes on.
I want all of you to know that this community means the world to me. I have been struggling for a while with the fear of this moment and the feeling of letting everyone down and failing you all. My identity has become synonomous with Critical Grind and that made me feel like if I lost our space, I would lose everything. The people in my life, my communities, networks, and industries, my friends, and myself.
Since making the announcement, the number of people who have come to support us and have shown their love of the community we've built, together, has been heartwarming and overwhelming. We're losing some walls. Not community. Not friendships.
I was recently reminded, Asgard isn't a place, it's a people. The same is true for Critical Grind.
Thank you all. I love you.
-Dana
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
This Week's Event Highlights
This is a quick look at this week's events. And of course any day is Game Day at Critical Grind. Just stop in anytime and find your next favorite game.
Follow our newsletter and socials to never miss an event!
Every link you need to follow us is right here:
SPECIAL EVENTS OF NOTE THIS WEEK:
BORED GAMES NIGHT - TUESDAY - 6PM
ART CLASS WITH QUINNFINITE POSSIBILITIES - TUESDAY - 6PM
SIP & STITCH - WEDNESDAY - 9AM
MINI PAINTING DROP-IN - THURSDAY - 3PM
CREATOR MEETUP - FRIDAY - 6PM
BLOOD ON THE CLOCKTOWER - SATURDAY - 6PM
FAMILY GAMES DAY - FREE PLAY - SUNDAY
This Week's Events Flyers/Details
This Month's Calendar & Specials
September Specials
Butter Br-Ube Cold Brew - Cold Brew with Butter Pecan Syrup & Ube Cold Foam
Honey Comb Tea - Peach & Honey Syrup in any tea. (Chai Pictured).
Pinebubble Upside Down Italian Soda - Completely SUGAR FREE and CAFFEINE FREE. Sugar-free Pineapple Syrup & Sugar-free Caramel Syrup in Sparkling Water with Sugar-free Cherry cold foam.
Chocolate Heat Toast - Nutella, Strawberries, Chili Pistachios, Maple Drizzle, & Tajin
Pantry Staples Toast - Peanut Butter, Cucumber, Siracha, & Everything Bagel Seasoning on an Everything Bagel
August Calendar!
More Special Events
--> Discord Looking For Party
Join our Discord and find your next gaming group.
We play RPGs every Tuesday and Thursday, but people will plan meet-ups outside those times as well. Join our Discord and see what games are being played.
Tip: When you join, go to Rules to get verified. Then, VERY IMPORTANTLY: go to Roles-and-Info to select your interests. This is what will unlock the channels.
Monthly Mini Painting Contest
Whether you're participating in our contests or just looking for a space to hang out and paint, stop by any Tuesday or Thursday for our Mini-Painting drop-in between 3pm & 8pm. $5 for all you can paint, access to our brushes, and paints, and a free figure to practice on. Or pick up additional figures for only $5 each.
This is our last mini painting contest. September's mini is available now.
Signing Off
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this week's Weekly Grind.
"Endings are always tough, but I believe when something ends, there are new beginnings, new opportunities, and new things to be excited for, too" - Mike Fisher
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