Building Community One Game at a Time
A lifelong passion for tabletop gaming became a welcoming community space with guidance from the Alaska SBDC.
For Chris Morlang, gaming has always been about more than entertainment, it’s about bringing people together. Inspired by a lifelong love of board games and a desire to create a place where people could connect face-to-face, Chris opened the doors of The Side Quest in February 2026. The tabletop gaming lounge is designed to be a true “third place” for the community. With support from the Alaska Small Business Development Center (Alaska SBDC), that vision has grown from an idea into a thriving business where friendships are built one game at a time.
Turning a passion project into a sustainable business required more than enthusiasm. Chris knew the kind of experience he wanted to create but faced the many complexities that come with launching a new business, from developing a solid business plan and organizing financial projections to understanding the startup process and building relationships with the right professionals.
In 2024, Chris connected with the Alaska SBDC and started working with Ginny Grabowski, his Business Advisor, to get the business “loan-ready.” Ginny helped Chris develop a comprehensive business plan, organize financials, and navigate the startup process while also making valuable introductions to realtors, bankers, and other key partners. With expert advice and practical support, Chris was able to establish a strong foundation for The Side Quest and bring his vision to life.
Today, The Side Quest offers something unique to Alaska’s gaming community: a welcoming lounge centered around a carefully curated library of tabletop games. Instead of purchasing games before knowing whether they’ll enjoy them, visitors can browse the shelves, gather around a table, and experience everything from quick party games to immersive strategy titles, all for less than the cost of a movie.
The business continues to expand its offerings and strengthen its community impact. New tournaments are already underway, including One Piece Card Game events, with Riftbound competitions launching soon. Chris is also working toward hosting Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering events while planning additional tournaments for Mahjong, Azul, Mancala, Scrabble, and other popular tabletop games. These events will create even more opportunities for players of all ages and experience levels to connect through shared interests and friendly competition.
“The Alaska SBDC helped me turn an idea into a real business. My advisor worked with me on building the business plan, getting the financials in order, and navigating the startup steps I didn’t even know were in my path. They also helped connect me with the people I needed: realtors, bankers, and more.” — Chris Morlang
The Side Quest demonstrates how a simple idea (creating a welcoming space where people can unplug, gather around a table, and enjoy games together) can grow into a meaningful community business with the right support. With guidance from the Alaska SBDC, Chris Morlang transformed his passion into a destination that encourages connection, conversation, and lasting friendships. As The Side Quest continues to expand its tournaments, events, and gaming experiences, it is well-positioned to become a lasting hub for Alaska’s tabletop gaming community.
For more information about The Side Quest, visit https://www.thesidequestak.com or on Facebook.
