Up for a mystery?
Utica gave its blessing Thursday for a new escape room/kiddie playground business to open later this spring.
Brad Hougas and Corey Andreoni, part-owner of Starved Rock Entertainment along with Melissa Hougas, were granted a special use permit to open an amusement center at 201 Donaldson St. by the unanimous recommendation of Utica's Planning Commission and then approval by the Village Board.
The building is owned by Thomas Destri.
Increasing in popularity across the country, escape rooms require participants to solve puzzles, unwrap riddles, seek out secret doors and look for hidden clues in a set time, all to figure out how get out of a sealed (but not locked) room.
"Half of our business will be involved with three such escape rooms with the other half a children's play/recreation area for ages 3 to 12," Hougas said. "Children in our play area will have to be accompanied by parents or an adult and will feature sand boxes, a foam playground, a two-story playhouse and a fun place for birthday parties."
He said the escape rooms, which have been designed by a professional European group, will force participants to use their intellect and wits to solve many difficult challenges to figure out their escape within an hour's time.
"Google (or online assistance) will not be allowed," Andreoni said and laughed. "Our place will make you use your brain."
Hougas said the business would have many surveillance cameras to keep watch over all areas with a focus on safety for the guests.
The new escape room also will be available to local businesses for team building parties to boost employee morale or just to have workers experience a night of unusual fun. Hougas told officials the business would be open seven days a week and is being built "family friendly." No alcohol will be served.
"If all goes well, the playground area will be open by the first part of May with the escape rooms ready a few weeks later," he said.
The price for solving the many puzzles and riddles will be $25 per person per hour with special rates for larger groups.
Planning Commissioner Mike Brown called the new business "a unique idea and a good addition to the Utica (and Starved Rock) area."
Before adjournment of the board's meeting, Director of Village Affairs Jamie Turczyn informed trustees she is in discussions with local videographer, Matthew Klein, to produce an online promotional video for the village. Turczyn said the video will include interviews of local officials and feature many Utica businesses and recreational attractions.