The Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting for Rook Room Game Lounge on Wednesday. The new game lounge and cafe, located at 300 S.W. Fifth St., opened in late May. At the ribbon-cutting, Chad Johnston from the Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce announced that the Rook Room is the 12th business in Iowa to be certified as an LGBT business enterprise by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. The store is one of 2,100 certified businesses in the country. The certification allows the business to participate in programs, training and grants.

Co-owner Annelise Tarnowski said it took her and business partner Tony Tandeski three years to complete the complex application process to receive the certification.

The Rook Room hosts in-store game play and sells drinks and snacks. Tarnowski said the store has been busy since it opened, with groups of friends coming in to play card and board games and putting together puzzles on the tables they provide. During the day, parents often bring their kids to the store after visiting the Science Center of Iowa, which is kitty corner from the Rook Room. 

Editor’s note: This article was updated on Friday, July 25 to correct the spelling of Annelise Tarnowski’s name and clarify that the Rook Room co-owners are business partners.