The Archive opens in Emmett with games, family, future plans

EMMETT — The Village of Emmett has a new business at the site of the old antique shop.

The Archive serves as both a game store and a community gathering place.

A night out playing games can sometimes mean leaving part of the family at home. The idea behind The Archive, the newly opened game shop in Emmett, is to create a space where everyone has a reason to come along.

The David brothers have a strong network already established with local gamers and are working with village officials on a number of future business ideas for the shop.

The Archive had been open about a month at the time of the interview, but its beginnings reach back to a family’s search for land nearby. They started to wonder, “What if?” and the ideas grew from there. Its opening marks the first step in a larger plan to bring games, food and a comfortable gathering place together under one roof.

Jared David and his wife, Kim, were making frequent trips through Emmett while looking at property when they noticed the building was for sale. Its longtime owner was retiring, and the couple began imagining what they could do with the space.

The idea grew into two connected businesses: The Archive game shop and a future cafe and bistro called The Nook.

With renovations ongoing, the family decided to open the game shop in the front of the building rather than wait for the entire project to be finished. Joel David, Jared’s brother, handles day-to-day operations, with his wife, Jessica, also involved in the business.

On the evening of the interview, tables were busy with players enjoying “Magic: The Gathering,” a trading card game. The group was their largest turnout for that event so far, and participation has been growing since opening.

For Joel David, the idea is rooted in his own experience visiting game shops. He enjoys spending hours looking through cards, but knows that enthusiasm is not always shared by everyone who comes along.

“It would be really nice to have a shop that catered to everybody,” Joel David said. “Where there was something for everyone.”

That thought is guiding plans for board games, children’s activities and space where family members can enjoy different interests while spending an evening together.

As renovations move forward, The Archive is expected to move into a larger space toward the back of the nearly 5,000-square-foot building. Plans include additional play tables, a children’s area and rooms that groups can reserve for games or gatherings.

The front space will become The Nook, featuring a late-Victorian theme inspired by the streets of London. Books, cozy seating and a possible private lending library are part of the vision.

Rather than filling the room with as many seats as possible, Jared David wants to create comfortable spots where visitors can settle in and enjoy their time.

“Each seating spot is more of an experience,” he said.

The proposed menu includes toasted sandwiches, soups and stews, with bread bowls and a rotating selection of seasonal entrees under consideration. Chris Stewart is lined up to serve as kitchen manager, bringing restaurant experience to the project.

The family members see their shared involvement as an advantage. Having multiple people to help with the business will allow them to share responsibilities and keep things running when someone needs time off.

Renovation plans include accessible restroom facilities and additional parking. Other ideas, including an outdoor patio and music on summer evenings, will come later as the business develops.

For now, The Archive gives local players a place to gather while the family works toward its larger vision: a space to enjoy a game, a meal or a good book, with room for the rest of the family to find something they enjoy, too.