At Virgil’s House, when a customer walks through the door they’re taking a step into the past.

It’s not just the unique period furniture or the antique decorations that jazz up the coffee shop either. The whole place just exudes the vibe of a simpler time.

Owner Kathleen Quartararo said she and partner James Hahn wanted to offer patrons with an “unplugged” café where they could completely unwind. In keeping with that idea, no cell phones or laptops are allowed.

“It hasn’t been an issue,” Quartararo said. “Most people are thrilled. There are plenty of other places for that kind of stuff.”

For the last 16 years, Quartararo has been working full-time at Cingular. In addition to that, she also runs a bed and breakfast, The Apple Tree Inn, in Ballston Spa. Virgil’s, which opened June 15, is part of her way of trying to make a different lifestyle for herself.

“I wanted a change of pace,” Quartararo said. “I wanted to create a happy, peaceful place away from the hectic schedules and the pressures of current society. It’s like my own little world here.”

Located at 86 Henry Street between Scallion’s and Tiznow, Virgil’s is built around board games and fresh roasted coffee. Aside from a huge assortment of games including Trivial Pursuit, Outburst, Yahtzee, Scattergories, Chess, Checkers and Monopoly, Quartararo also has tons of magazines and books from the 1930s to 1950s. The 44-year-old believes Virgil’s is the perfect hangout whether someone wants to read, relax, play a game or socialize.

Frequent customer Lynn Monroe loves the coffee, the games and the atmosphere at Virgil’s. She recently played Scrabble with her brother and sister who she hadn’t seen in a while and said it was a nice get-together.

“It’s very comfortable,” Monroe said. “There’s just nothing like it.”

Virgil’s menu consists mainly of light fare, snacks and desserts. Breakfast foods like bagels, cinnamon toast, yogurt or Lucky Charms can start the day off right, and for lunch there’s a variety of paninis and sandwiches to choose from. For those looking to indulge, try a piece of carrot cake, cheesecake or a gelato. To wash it down, choose a cup of coffee, an espresso, an organic chai, an Italian soda or a smoothie.

Quartararo said there are no additives or preservatives in the food and everything is made fresh. She’s particularly fond of the “fun foods” she’s offering such as cheese and crackers, peanut butter and fluff and peanut butter and jelly, with or without the crust.

“I wanted to do a lot of the comfort foods I loved growing up,” she said.

Employees Erin Schumaker and Chelsea Drake, both 20, are working at Virgil’s for the summer. Schumaker, who’s majoring in English and Spanish at Union College, likes being able to make her own hours and offer her input on how to improve the shop. Drake, a Communications major at SUNY Oneonta, said the job is a lot of fun and much better than most of the jobs she’s previously had.

Gift cards are available at the coffee shop, and Quartararo said they add 10 percent on to the total amount of the card as a thank you to customers. In addition, for $50 folks can bring in a refillable travel mug and get unlimited coffee from now until the end of the year.

Virgil’s House is open Monday through Thursday 6:30 a.m. - 9 p.m., Friday 6:30 a.m. - 10 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. - 10 p.m., and Sunday 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. For more information, call 587-2949 or visit www.virgilshouse.com.