During the late evening, East Vine St. was still. There, Galactic, snug in between two dark shops sat. Wide windows lined with classic Marvel and DC Comic book characters complimented the white scripted comic font letters of “Galactic” above the glass doors to the comic shop.

The stale smell of paper, turned many times, lingered through the store. Dice clinked across the glass countertop in the center of the store. Three men surrounded a board, staring intently at the player’s next move. Behind them stood rows of comics, old and new. Multiple character masks sat behind the glass counters, sitting and staring at the many who have come through the doors of the store.

If students are looking for something to do on Friday nights, Galactic Comics and Games may have just what they need – and it’s free.

Every Friday night around 6:30 p.m. to midnight Galactic has board game night. It is open to everyone, free to play and you do not need to have any experience. The average turnout for board game night is around 15-30 people, so it could be a great place to meet new people.

While they do get quite a lot of new people, store owner Keith Brown said, “We do have regulars. Which is very nice. That way you have people you can rely on to run games. People that are knowledgeable about them.

“If you had 30 people show up and none of them knew anything about board games and it’s just me, it’s going to be rough.”

Board game night started out as just a few regulars who would meet during the week to play board games. It grew from there and it was decided that there should be a specific night for board games.

Every Friday they have a few games that are featured, but they also set up some games that people bring in. Anyone is welcome and there is no experience needed because everyone is under the assumption that there will be a lot of learning going on.

“We try to keep it real casual,” said Brown, a statement which was affirmed by the way store goers were helping to set up the tables and chairs.

On the first and third Monday of every month board game night is held at The Mellow Mushroom from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. During these nights prizes such as gift certificates and board games can be given out.

For more information on board game night and other themed nights offered at Galactic you can look up the Galactic Comics and Games Facebook page, or you can search @galacticman on Twitter.