Escape Artists offers adventure

y Susan Wenner

Herald Staff Writer

 

 Who would have thought that an experience similar to the game Clue back in the day would come alive in the form of the physical, adventure game of escape room with the business name, Escape Artists. 

Escape Artists, owned by Brian Bechtel and Nancy Philips, recently opened in Sanford running this action-packed business as players are locked in a room and use clues or props in the room to solve the mystery or puzzle and escape in a designated time limit.

This unusual form of entertainment began almost a decade ago in China and research shows that the first room was created in about 2006. It has become popular around the United States, China, Japan, Taiwan, Canada and Israel. The Sanford company opened for their soft launch on June 28 but a full grand opening is scheduled for August 15. 

Bechtel shared that his love of escape games actually came from his childhood as he loved secret passages and hidden doors "that concealed a secret agents weapons cache or a superheroes lair." He added. "Having an escape game allows me to exercise the inner child in me that still dreams of having my own home full of hidden doors and secret passages."

The 2 year Seminole County residents spoke of fulfilling their passion for the games. "We have been dreaming about starting up a business that is in a field that we are truly passionate about," said Bechtel. "When we found Escape Games we could not resist the pull we had to them, for us this was a labor of love. We have a passion for escape games. What started as a gift for my birthday quickly became an obsession. In a few months we had played every game we could get to within a few hours drive of us. Watching the players being joy and excitement as they play our games puts us in the experience every time. We have been fortunate enough to be involved in a business we are truly passionate about."

Bechtel continued by saying, "Escape Games are becoming extremely popular and for a few reasons. The first is that they are wholesome fun that can be enjoyed by everyone from church groups to families or even just the couple that wants to have an unforgettable date. The second is that our games provide a genuine challenge that require communication, various perspectives, and most importantly teamwork. This teamwork based dynamic makes the games an exciting way for any group or team to enhance the qualities that make them effective. We have had a lot of interest from the various companies in the area, who have wanted to have the escape game experience but making it all the way to International Drive during the work day was not always feasible. All of this is to say that now Sanford has its own escape game, and we believe this will help to bring people from all over the state to Sanford."   

He further explained the nature of the business, "There are two major differences with Escape Artists and our competitor. First, our puzzles and games are unique and will require you to think outside convention, push yourself and work as a team. This means you will have to use the various skills that  your individual team members possess in order to complete the game mission. Second the settings in each game have been uncompromisingly detailed in order to create the most immersive escape experience possible. Each game and set was first designed on what we believed would be the most fun and exciting game experience, then our team was tasked with figuring out how to make that vision possible. It is the effort put into the quality that we believe sets us apart. The escape game business is really the coordination of multiple different skill sets in order to make it successful. Our backgrounds in Project Management and Interior Design gave us an edge to coordinate the individual contributors that were crucial to helping us turn our original graphic art for each game into reality."

 Their current special includes a promotion for their soft launch good for any day of the week. The code is; SOFT_LAUNCH, and will save 22% off the ticket price (this is valid through August 15th , 2016) although the pricing is very competitive with escape games that are located around Florida.

As future plans include a VIP lounge the business will also offer a private room for groups to meet and bring food for meetings or parties as they gather before or after their escape experience.

Escape Artists is open Monday to Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday 12 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight and Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Alternate times are available by appointment.

In closing Bechtel shared, "If you have never played an escape game or if you are an escape game addict like us, we invite you to come try Escape Artists. It's the antidote to boredom."

Escape Artists is located at 115 N Oak Avenue in Sanford. For more information go to www.EscapeArtistsSanford.com, www.Facebook.com/EscapeArtistsSanford, email EscapeArtistsSanford@gmail.com or call 321-200-5304.