The Record (Troy, NY)

Bard & Baker Board Game Cafe starts rental delivery service

- lhalligan@digitalfir­stmedia.com reporter

TROY, N.Y. » Local business Bard & Baker Board Game Cafe is introducin­g a new B&B: At Home program as an innovative way to continue operations under circumstan­ces brought on by the coronaviru­s outbreak.

This contactles­s board game rental home delivery service began on Tuesday, March 17, when Bard & Baker temporaril­y closed its doors for dine-in guests and gameplay per the statewide closure of all bars and restaurant­s in light of the COVID-19 crisis.

A select number of Bard & Baker’s more than 750 games will be available to be rented on a two to five-night term with rental fees ranging from $5 to $10 per game, and a $3 local three-mile delivery radius to start.

Games will be offered based on the ability to sanitize and disinfect games prior to delivery, and upon pick up.

Food and beverages from Bard & Baker are also available for delivery for a build-your- own game night experience.

“In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are starting the ‘Bard & Baker: At Home’ service in order to support and accommodat­e our gaming community as more and more people choose to abstain from social gatherings outside of the home,” business owner Charlotte Guyton said.

“In addition, revenue from this program will help us cover costs such as rent, utility and vendor payments, along with providing workable hours for our hard-working staff that we care very much about,” Guyton added.

She continued, “The COVID-19 crisis has left many bars and restaurant­s, including us, with very little opportunit­y to bring in a healthy revenue stream to keep our businesses open and our staff with hours. By monetizing a portion of our game library through a secure, contactles­s home delivery rental service, we hope that our team of 11 hard-working employees are able to keep their jobs and continue to make a livable wage during this trying time.”

Bard & Baker’s mission has always been to bring people together through the world of games, Guyton said, “and we hope that this still gives people the opportunit­y to play together in the comfort and safety of their own homes.”

More informatio­n, including a list of available, disinfecte­d games, can be found online at www.bardandbak­er.com/gamerental-home- delivery.

Bard & Baker Board Game Cafe is located at 501 Broadway in downtown Troy and can be contacted by calling (518) 948- 6693.

 ?? LAUREN HALLIGAN - MEDIANEWS GROUP FILE ?? Bard & Baker has a collection featuring hundreds of games.
LAUREN HALLIGAN - MEDIANEWS GROUP FILE Bard & Baker has a collection featuring hundreds of games.
 ?? LAUREN HALLIGAN - MEDIANEWS GROUP FILE ?? Games are currently available for rental through Bard & Baker Board Game Cafe.
LAUREN HALLIGAN - MEDIANEWS GROUP FILE Games are currently available for rental through Bard & Baker Board Game Cafe.

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