Pe Metawe Games is a community hub
Owner David Plamondon opens door to all
Enter Pe Metawe Games, at the corner of 118 Avenue and 94 Street, and a new world opens. It’s soon obvious this is a unique space, a place where everyone can feel at home. No matter your age, sex, race, preferences, or lifestyle, Pe Metawe welcomes you.
Having survived five years in business, owner David Plamondon decided to hold an open house to celebrate. The Indigenous owner originally named his store Pe Metawe after the nêhiyawêwin/Cree phrase meaning “come and play.” I have purchased several board games here, and when he asked, I volunteered to set up a table to introduce Rat Creek Press to visitors.
There were plenty of drop-ins. GOBfest, a major Edmonton game board convention, was taking place one block away at Alberta Avenue Community League. When I arrived with copies of Rat Creek Press, Pe Metawe was buzzing. Table and role playing games were selling in twos and threes.
As the afternoon continued, I saw that Pe Metawe was more than a store. At a corner booth in a back room, three people played Fossilis, a family-friendly board game designed by Kids Table Board Gaming, a Canadian company. The players were acting as paleontologists. In their “dig” for dinosaur bones, they moved terrain tiles, collected fossils, and completed dinosaur skeletons.
“A lot of people are looking for alternative entertainment these days,” noted store operations manager Catherine Little. “During COVID, people played online. Families and friends are now finding that playing in person is fun.”
In another room, piles of free clothing from Chubby Fem Thrift attracted another crowd. Chubby Fem Thrift is a black and queer-owned business. Several times a year, giveaways like this are held. The back room at Pe Metawe Games was a perfect fit.
By mid-afternoon, chairs were set up for a panel of four Canadian board game designers. I took a corner seat to listen and learn. One of the designers, Luke Ehrenholz, is based in Edmonton. He created his family-friendly game, Almost Words, with his brother Ryan and Ryan’s wife Natalie, both now residing in Calgary. “I was a huge game nerd since I was a little kid,” Ehrenholz shared.
Looking back, he noted that it’s a different world today for the activity. “There’s a more passionate following of board games now. And way more variety in the types of games. People spend a lot of their free time exploring and trying out new games.”
For the panelists, a venue like Pe Metawe Games has been a haven.
Ehrenholz expressed his appreciation, echoed by game developers Avery Alder, Roberta Taylor, and Chris Cooke. “Pe Metawe has been the most supportive community game store since I was starting out. David invited us to do demos in the store to share with the community, featured our game on the store’s media, and keeps it stocked on the shelf,” he says.
Panels are useful, especially free ones! I learned about role playing games (RPG) from panelist Avery Alder. For almost 20 years, Alder has designed thought-provoking, transformative games, including The Quiet Year, Monsterhearts, and Going For Broke. Her award-winning games focus on themes of LGBTQ self-discovery, community building, and post-apocalyptic survival.
Observed Alder, “I explore what happens when communities are fractured.” Pe Metawe Games has her respect. “This store is a really genuine community builder,” she told the audience.
Well-known board game designer Roberta Taylor and go-getter Chris Cooke also shared their perspectives. Taylor makes family-friendly games because she likes to sit around a table, playing with people. One of her creations, Creature Comforts, published by Kids Table Board Games, has been translated into thirteen languages.
Chris Cooke’s background in design led him to become a game designer. His advice to newcomers keen to try game design: “Kill your ego as fast as possible. Just get your game out there.”
Surrounded by eager game board players, I listened and learned from the speakers. Pe Metawe Games is a hub for players of all ages and interests. At the close of the panel, owner David Plamondon said it clearly: “Highlighting diversity in games is especially important to Pe Metawe. How can we promote diversification in the city? By providing a safe space for all people.”
I was grateful that I could represent Rat Creek Press and attend Pe Metawe Games’ fifth anniversary party. And a true party it was. I had fun, learned about a fascinating world, and listened to intriguing people. I left with a smile on my face. Congratulations to David Plamondon and staff. Your store is another example of why Edmonton, and our Alberta Avenue area businesses and people, never cease to amaze me.
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