The tabletop game shop at 1222 E. Powell Rd. is about to become a place to grab a latte between dice rolls.

Dragon's Lair Games & Fantasy announced Tuesday, Aug. 25, that construction on its expansion is nearly complete, including a new attached café called Nat20 Café and Bakeshop. The Dungeons & Dragons-themed café will serve fresh drinks and a full menu of baked goods, connected to the existing game shop so customers can browse shelves with coffee in hand or settle into a café sofa for a campaign session.

The concept isn't brand new. Dragon's Lair has already been selling weekly baked goods, but the expansion gives Nat20 its own dedicated space with a drink menu and room to sit, 614Now reported Wednesday. The store's announcement teased that the café and shop would be connected "perhaps through secret passages."

No opening date has been set. Construction is still underway.

A growing game shop

Owner Adam, who is identified only by first name on the store's website, became interested in the Dragon's Lair Comics and Fantasy franchise in late 2020 while contemplating a career change and went on to open the Columbus-North location on E. Powell Road. On the shop's site, he described himself as "a life-time tabletop gamer, roleplayer, and comic book fan" who wanted to build community around the hobby.

The store already underwent a remodel in May 2025 that expanded its game area. It hosts events daily, including board game open play, D&D meet-ups and Friday Night Magic.

Dragon's Lair's Facebook page, which has nearly 3,000 likes, also references the "upcoming opening of Nat20 Bakeshop and Cafe."

Fits a gap residents identified

The café addition lands in a market Powell residents have said they want filled. A city community survey for the Downtown and Village Green Master Plan found respondents rated the need for more food and beverage options at 7.5 out of 10, with 564 people weighing in. The same survey scored preference for locally owned small businesses over chains at 8.3 out of 10.

One respondent wrote in April 2025 that they wanted a "bakery with sit down options" and "good coffee," adding that Powell has "too many nail salons, banks, and empty unkept spaces."

Powell's economic development pipeline reached 357 projects as of July 2026, a 46% jump from June 2025, including 32 new businesses representing roughly $19.1 million in capital investment and 193 full-time-equivalent jobs, according to 1808 Delaware.

Customers can follow Dragon's Lair on Instagram (@dlair_columbus) or Facebook for updates on when Nat20 opens its doors.