If you pop by the former Timeslip Theater building on Story Avenue on a Wednesday night, you'll find its been transformed into a medieval-styled lodge replete with shelves of gaming books, dice, and all manner of fantasy decor. This is Thieves Run, a new community space focused on table top roleplaying games — think: Dungeons & Dragons and the like.

Thieves Run grew out of a weekly game night at Awry Brewing. As it began to outgrow the space, organizer Benjamin "Cali" Calicott and his business partner Marty Myers hit the pavement looking for a dedicated home group for the event. They found it at 1501 Story Ave.

For Calicott and Myers, Thieves Run is first and foremost a third space (a place you can spend time outside of home and work) where people can connect face-to-face, no screens required.

"Technology is hacking us in a way we don't enjoy." Calicott said. "A lot of people feel like their social skills are dusty since the pandemic."

Myers said he wants to see third spaces taken back from social media and built here in the real world.

A pair of rotating shelves containing board games and roleplaying games. — The Thieves Run library contains classic board games like Catan and Apples to Apples in addition to dozens of roleplaying games. | Photo by LOUtoday

Here's a sampling of what Thieves Run currently has to offer:

Dedicated open gaming space for members to host game nights
An intimate, separate lounge for private events — with plans for a future speakeasy
A rotating library of board games, roleplaying games, books, props, and more
A maker space with a button maker, t-shirt press, printer, 3D printer and paper cutter
Rentable podcast studio space
Snacks + drinks, with full menu items and alcohol coming soon

Thieves Run had a soft launch in mid-May, and celebrated its grand opening on Saturday, June 13. The flagship event is a continuation of the old "Awry Guild," a free night of tabletop gaming open to people of all skill levels and experience. If Thieves Run sounds like your kind of place, that's the best time to come check it out.