The Dice Box was established in November 2018 and is a board game café and shop on Regent Street in Leamington. We caught up with owners Steph Branch and Trev Davies as part of the #Warksmas campaign.
Why did you set up The Dice Box?
We have a love of board games and always have, it started with us wanting to share it with everyone we knew but we ran out of those people so we needed more people to show them to! We employ six people plus the two directors.
What do you think keeps your customers coming back?
We think it’s a different type of activity to do. We are the only one in Warwickshire. Our ‘Game Gurus’ have excellent game knowledge and our selection of games to choose to play from and buy is always growing/changing. Plus we make a mean coffee!
What is your best-selling product?
People playing our games is the most popular service we offer. Our board game shop is also very popular.
What do you think is your best product, and why?
Our ‘Game Guru’ service for sure. We can help explain the rules quickly and efficiently so once games have been set up our customers can just get on with playing, it’s much more fun that way!
What is the most unusual item you stock?
A game called Throw Throw Burrito, it includes rather sizeable burritos that you throw at others in the game!
Have you had any unusual requests from customers?
Steph once had a customer call and ask if we had a game called Kittens in a Blender (a card game) and the reply we heard was - no sir, we have Exploding Kittens and quite a few Unstable Unicorns! We really were just all cracking up when she got off the phone!
How important is the Christmas period to your business?
It’s is hugely important to us, not only for the large Christmas sales but also for the board game café. Our sales at Christmas are a large part of our annual sales.
Who would be you ideal four guests for Christmas lunch and why?
Ryan Laukat - one of our favourite game designers and illustrators. Bill Bailey - because why wouldn't you want Bill Bailey with you for Christmas lunch! David Attenborough - We could crack out the wildlife and nature board games and play them with him. Lewis Hamilton - when we are not playing board games we are normally watching F1. Hamilton is making history during every race, it’s amazing to watch.
What would be your own personal ultimate Christmas present?
A day driving a Formula 1 car around Silverstone - for both of us!