Amy Bretz discusses her experience at “Marbles: The Brain Store”.

***
Our last Junto gathering took place on Friday, June 6, 2009 at 7:30am at “Marbles – The Brain Store.”  Marbles is located at 55 East Grand Ave.  Following the Junto discussion I enjoyed networking and browsing the store.

Chicago Junto is a group of small business owners in the Chicagoland area that gather the first Friday of each month.   Meetings are free for our members and $25 for non-members.  Non-members must be small business owners.  If you are interested in Junto or our membership program please visit our website at http://cec.depaul.edu/ or call me at (312) 362-8625.

I think June’s gathering was a great location.  Marbles: The Brain Store is like no other store I’ve ever been in.  It is a game store for adults (and children) looking to exercise their brains.  Think “Toys R Us” for adults.    It was fun and definitely took everyone out of an office/work environment.

The store was opened in Chicago by two entrepreneurs, Lindsay Gaskins and Karen Luby.  According to their webpage the women wanted to create a place where people could find new, engaging activities to keep their brains active and also learn about the brain.   After the first visit I am sure they have succeeded.

Many of their games are set up throughout the store – so you can play before you purchase the product.  April Lane and I tried our hand at a few.  They have basic and advanced crossword puzzles, word skill games, coordination games, memory games, etc.  Marbles also has advanced versions of games you many be familiar with – for example - if you enjoyed playing with a Rubik’s cube, you should try the Rubik’s Professor which is 5x5 instead of 3x3. 

The store has a relaxing, open atmosphere and the staff knows how to play every game.  They will play against you, or recommend games for you.  If you prefer browsing alone – they have cards set up near each game explaining the goal of the game and directions on how to play.  Labyrinth, a board game in which you tilt the board to guide a steel ball through a winding maze, has a card set up to tell you how the game can improve your coordination, concentration, and dexterity.

A visit to Marbles can be fun for ”younger” people.  Children will appreciate “Car Scrabble” and “Brain Noodles,” however, the store’s focus is really for adults who like to use their brain and have fun. 

Check out  their webpage at www.marblesthebrainstore.com where you can read their blog and other interesting facts about brain health.   Or test your skills and learn about risks for Alzheimers with “The Marbles Brain Health Barometer”.

About a week after the Coleman Center’s event, I went back to Marbles and took a look around solo.  Someone came up and helped me right away.  I remembered playing a game and didn’t know the name of it – and the staff member knew exactly what I was talking about when I described it.  I ended up purchasing two games for family members.  I found it especially nice that gift wrapping service was available at check-out.  My dad got Labyrinth for Fathers day and has already called me with two thumbs up!
 

Post Your Comments

Name:

Email Address*

Your Comment:

Comments (0):