Puzzle Republic maps 500 free lending libraries across 50 states and eight countries

The Puzzle Republic has logged more than 500 free puzzle libraries across all 50 U.S. states and eight countries, according to the company’s online map. Jessica and Luke Cheney, the founders, estimate that 80% to 90% of these locations were directly inspired by their original project.

The network began in January 2020 when the couple opened the Puzzle Palace in La Crescenta, California. They constructed the initial station using a thrifted Barbie hotel placed on their parents’ lawn. The timing coincided with the arrival of the pandemic, which drove many residents to seek new hobbies and local connection. Luke Cheney notes that the first location gained rapid traction, with neighbors communicating through a guestbook left inside the structure.

Cheney, a freelance filmmaker, met Jessica Cheney, an illustrator, at a bar in Los Angeles before moving to Denver earlier this year. The couple developed the concept while walking through their Culver City neighborhood, inspired by existing free book libraries. They formalized their efforts by founding The Puzzle Republic to support new operators, or piecekeepers, by selling setup kits and providing maintenance resources. The company advises users to secure puzzle boxes with rubber bands to prevent missing pieces.

The Cheneys recently launched their newest location, The Colorado Connection, in Denver’s Tennyson-Berkeley neighborhood. The station, located at 3926 Yates St., features a Colorado theme and joins approximately 12 other puzzle libraries in the Denver metro area. Luke Cheney stated that the couple sought a city with a strong community spirit and active residents who value their neighbors.

The founders describe the project as a response to the desire for tangible, offline activities. Jessica Cheney said the hobby offers a form of nostalgia and a way to disconnect from digital devices. She described the appeal as a need to be present and in the moment, moving away from the digital era.

Luke Cheney added that the libraries facilitate social interaction in ways that long-term residency often does not. He cited examples of residents who reported meeting more neighbors in the first month of a library’s installation than they had in the previous five to ten years. The Tennyson-Berkeley neighborhood has welcomed the new station, which the Cheneys said they located after several months of searching.

The company’s website continues to host a map for residents to find nearby stations. The Cheneys, who moved to Denver to connect with their new community, continue to operate and monitor the network from their new home.