Blends & Boards, a smoothie, craft drinks and board game café, will have its grand opening on March 23 from 12 to 6 p.m., on Main St.  

The owners of Blends & Boards, Breland and Jennifer Ridenour, made the move from Elkhorn to Wayne in July 2023. Jennifer grew up in a small town outside of Lincoln, Nebraska, called Elmwood while Breland is originally from Beldon and attended Wayne State College.  

“We saw a need for an entertainment place in the area for everyone of all ages,” Jennifer Ridenour said. “What Wayne has now is great and we don’t want to compete with other businesses, we want to add to the community. Our store is unique and offers something no one else within a 2-hour radius does.” 

Blends & Boards is a family friendly establishment that will cater on evenings and weekends when everyone is looking for something to do outside of class and work. 

“Blends & Boards has a very large selection of hand-crafted drinks along with snacks and a wide variety of games, such as cards, board games and dice for anyone of any age to hangout solo or with friends and family,” Jennifer Ridenour said. “There are games for any level of gaming enthusiast.” 

WSC student Taya Beller said she is looking forward to the opening.  

“It is something different and fun for family and friends to do,” Beller said. “It’s a nice way to get out of the house.”  

During the grand opening, there will be promotions such as signing up for a yearly game membership to receive a free drink every month for that year or coupons for $1.00 off large teas and smoothies. Blends & Boards will also offer party reservations for birthdays, work, church and school functions.  

“Wayne is a great community, and we want to help it grow,” Jennifer Ridenour said. “We look forward to meeting everyone in the community. We hope everyone comes in to see what we are about and to meet us.”  

Blends & Boards hopes to cultivate an atmosphere of unity, fun and relaxation.