CORONA — Growing up in Cuba, Rolando Prieto became very familiar with dominoes — the nation's national game.
But he was never happy with the tables he'd play on there, which made it easy for drinks to spill or dominoes to slide off the table during hourslong games.
In 2013, he built his own table, designed for a league he played in with friends. It featured a separate space for drinks and carved holders for the dominoes.
"I wanted to create domino tables that were enjoyable and functional," said Prieto, 38, who had worked as a personal trainer and a website designer.
Prieto started off making things for friends, and friends of friends, and as word quickly spread about his tables, Tablas CapiCubana was born.
The workshop, originally housed in the basement of his family's Corona home, soon spread to a space he shares with a cousin in Valley Stream.
"When I started getting orders 20, 30 at a time, that's when I got a warehouse," he said, adding that he collaborates with customers on the design, look, and feel of the tables.
Dominoes — a game invented in China, which spread to Europe and became especially popular in Caribbean countries — is something that brings families together, he said.
So it's not a surprise to him that his most popular sellers feature family photos.
A handmade table honoring a customer's Dominican heritage.
"I had a customer who wanted a photo of his father, who passed away, playing dominoes," he said. His graphic designer superimposed the man's grandson playing alongside him.
"The customer cried when we showed him," Prieto said.
"It goes to show the emotional connection that's tied to dominoes."
Tables range from $550 to thousands of dollars, depending on how intricate and specific the design, he said.
Tablas CapiCubana makes pre-made designs, as well as one-of-a-kind tables, like one featuring Tony Montana from "Scarface."
Domino tiles on a specialty "Scarface" table. (DNAinfo/Katie Honan)
Last year, he sold 250 tables and he projects he's on track to build around 500 tables this year, including a large order for the World Series of Dominoes that will take place later this year in Las Vegas.
While he always knew of the game's significance to his family and friends, he didn't realize how much it meant to others until he started getting orders from far and wide.
"It really is larger than I thought," he said, adding that the company has since expanded to making custom chess tables and custom dominoes tiles, each with the same level of custom craftmanship.
Still, he keeps his company in the same spirit of family.
His three employees are all relatives or close friends: his half-sister is the business manager, her husband is the graphic designer, and his close friend is the contractor.
Family is important to Prieto, who came to Jackson Heights from Cuba as a baby during the Mariel boatlift.
His father died when he was 7 and his mother later bought a house on 97th Place in Corona.
He has since moved to Long Beach, Long Island, but he commutes back to Queens every day.
His office is located in the basement of his mother's Queens home, and he hopes to one day open a dominoes table store in his family's storefront.
He enjoys working for himself, although he admits it isn't always easy.
"You have to work so much harder, especially when it's your own business," he said.
Having family rely on you for a paycheck adds to the pressure, he said.
"I don't ever want my sister asking, 'hey, where's my money?'"
But Prieto said he finds joy in creating beautiful things that also spread his culture.
"I'm so happy my business is dedicated to keeping families united and gives an opportunity to continue the culture," he said.
He hopes to one day bring the game to local schools, stressing the many ways it teaches teamwork, strategy and collaboration.
And he thinks young people can learn a lot from the game that many feel is just about "connecting the dots."
"Instead of pushing out the people who are different, it's about learning about other cultures because we all benefit and learn," he said.
"Everybody's culture is important, and that should be celebrated."
