What makes a man give up a cushy corporate job in order to create Play Lounge & Cafe in Palm Springs?

Becoming Wilkinson

In Matt Irby's own words:
When the pandemic hit, I was working a corporate job in Seattle and was given the opportunity to work from home and live where I pleased. My first thought? Palm Springs! I moved here in late 2020, made a great group of friends and started doing "game nights" every week.
As game nights went on and the group got larger, it became a true source of happiness and connection in an otherwise chaotic work life I had.
Then it hit me!
If I could feel this great connecting with new and old friends playing games, aren’t there others out there wanting the same thing? I was sitting at my desk in another corporate drone meeting, and it came to me: “Play”. I wanted a cool hangout spot that I could go to and meet new people that centered around games. Then more came to my mind... why not extend it and have a café in the morning where people can work from and grab some food throughout the day, then flip it to a lounge in the evening with fun board games, outdoor games, pool tables, darts, etc. with a different selection of beer and wine?
Play was officially born and opened in September 2023.
I love sharing my passion with you and making a lot of new friends along the way! See you at Play!
Matt Irby
web site: https://www.playloungeps.com
Matt's email: [e-mail]
Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2024
Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.
To contact Wilkinson- email him at [e-mail]