Nitro Nostalgia Ice Cream & Board Game Café

Garland Lucas, founder of Nitro Nostalgia Ice Cream & Board Game Café, was born and raised in Roseland and has deep roots on Chicago’s South Side. After a 25-year career in the railroad industry, he retired early to create the kind of family-friendly gathering place he felt his community was missing. 

Nitro Nostalgia Ice Cream & Board Game Cafe opened in Bronzeville in December 2024 in a storefront that had once been a problematic liquor store and later sat vacant for more than a decade. Garland transformed the space into a welcoming destination where customers enjoy made-to-order liquid nitrogen ice cream, board and card games, community events, and private celebrations. 

The café has grown into more than a dessert shop. It provides local employment, supports community organizations, and offers entrepreneurs, performers, and families an affordable place to gather, connect, and create memories. Nitro Nostalgia stands out by combining food, entertainment, and community in one experience. For Garland, the business represents what is possible when South Side residents invest in their neighborhoods and create opportunities for others.