Its open, but its locked. You might feel trapped, but it isnt scary. Problem-solving skills will be employed, but you wont get graded.
It is Unlocked: Escape Room Wooster, an interactive adventure game where players are locked in a room and have to find clues in the room to solve a series of puzzles in order to escape, and it is now open for business.
There are other escape rooms sprinkled throughout the country including one in Cleveland and one in Akron, but two Orrville couples have enjoyed their experiences with these adventure games so much they decided to create their own for others to enjoy.
Brandon and Sasha Stark along with Chad and Mandi Teague, all co-owners in this new Wooster business, recently invited their families to test their two rooms and will officially open for the public Nov. 3.
As a group of friends who enjoys going to escape rooms together, we wanted to bring that passion and excitement of the games and puzzles to our community, Brandon Stark said.
The two couples took on this project thinking, Weve got this; it cant be that much to put together, Mandi Teague said. But even though they all agreed with Brandon Stark when he said, It was more work than I thought, the project only took a little over two months to complete, thanks to the help of family and others.
We cant thank our families enough for all the hours and hard work they helped with, Sasha Stark said. We had family members who helped with construction, painting, and family members who would watch our kids so we could be up here.
The new business is located in the space formerly occupied by Sue Mins Chinese Restaurant on Madison Hill. Originally the entrepreneurs thought they would create just one escape room, but after they drew up plans for the layout, they realized they had enough space for two mystery rooms, which are typically set in fictional locations such as a mansion, cave or even a space station.
Chad Teague described their first room: Framed is staged as a detective office where you take on the role of helping prove your partner is innocent of the crime he was investigating. A turn of events happened to get him arrested, so you have to find the true kidnapper.
Although teams only have 45 minutes to solve the mystery, Chad Teague said, In both rooms we will be offering three levels our customers can choose: easy, medium and hard. Whatever they pick will depend on how many hints they are given throughout their game.
Sasha Stark explained the premise behind the second escape room: Speakeasy is a 1920s poker-themed room where you are hired by Elliot Ness to find the evidence to capture the famous Al Capone.
Both rooms are designed to have two to 10 participants, but there also is an option to book a private room. There is a chance that if you only have a party of two, you can be put with other people, Mandi Teague said.
We recommend our rooms for age 14 and up, Sasha Stark said. All players will be required to sign a waiver.
In addition to creating the escape rooms, the two couples are all busy with other jobs. Brandon Stark and Chad Teague serve in Orrville as firefighters and EMTs and are the parents of young children. Sasha and Brandon Stark have a 2 year old while Mandi and Chad Teague are the parents of three children age 8 and under with one on the way.
These busy parents know all too well that even though it can be hard to make time for themselves, it is healthy to do something fun with friends, so the local option of this creative problem-solving activity should appeal to many.
Escape rooms are exciting and fun but challenging, Mandi Teague said. Escape rooms allow people to come out of their shell and be outgoing as they help their group. As soon as you go behind the door and the game master reads you the backstory, they leave and shut the door. Its then game time.
In addition to providing a weekend diversion for friends and families, Sasha Stark said, Corporations are using Escape Room for team-building activities. Benefits consist of improved time-management skills, an opportunity for everyone to play a role, better communication skills, employee motivation and it promotes creativity.
Unlocked: Escape Room Wooster even has a conference room for debriefing where groups can carry in food and beverages.
To schedule a booking, go to www.unlockedescapewoo.com. Questions can be directed to 330-960-1122 or visit them on Facebook for updated information.
It will be exciting to see the hard work pay off, Chad Teague said.
