Escape Room Atlantic deals with Covid-19
DIEPPE, NB- Covid-19 has caused a lot of stress on business owners in particular. Throughout the pandemic, businesses have been closed, allowed to reopen and the closed again. Many have not been able to handle the financial pressure and have closed shop for good. Luckily, 27-year-old Jessica Savoie and her mother Suzanne Page have managed to keep their doors open. They own and operate Escape Room Atlantic, located in Dieppe, NB. At times it was rocky; they have had to completely change location, but they survived.
Sign taped to old location of Escape Room Atlantic, after their eviction.
Like all non-essential businesses, Escape Room Atlantic was forced to close at the end of March. Slowly, restrictions were lifted. Jessica recalls, “we were allowed to open on June 1st like the rest of the recreational facilities, and we were told by Irving who are our landlords, that we had to have our rent paid in full by June 5, which is 5 days and if not we have to be out of the building by June 23rd. Obviously we couldn’t come up with that in 5 days since we had been shut down for three months. So we were force to find a new location and to reopen elsewhere.” They were able to find space close by at 125 Canaan Drive. Moving from their 9000 square foot rental, to a 3000 square foot space was the challenge.
Jessica Savoie sitting in her new office after moving her business location.
Jessica is very optimistic. Though they have only been operating a short time, she explained almost all of their rooms fit in the new location, and they are very happy with where they are. Jessica is responsible for room creation while Suzanne handles employees and operation. They have four rooms open: The Plague Room, Toy Story Room, Clue Room and Fort-Nite Room. A fifth room is under construction, named the “Grinch-mas” Room, is will be open by December.
The goal is to “escape” the room by finding the golden key. Clue will give you the answers to unlock the various locks throughout the room. Each lock leads to another clue. Clues can be simple counting, to matching, to figuring out a version or Morris Code. There is a phone to ask for help with clues in your room. You have one hour to finish a winner.
Pre-covid-19 Jessica shared the popularity her business had with schools and businesses, to inspire team building. Escape Room Atlantic is available for birthday parties and bachelorettes. It offers a great way to spend quality bonding time with family. First time customer Josh Tucker said, “the escape room was a great family challenge, it was a lot fun, it took us the whole time, but we got through it.” He brought his two young children there with him during the week. “The kids were a bit too young, but they enjoyed the Toy Story room, we really felt like we were in Andy’s room, and the toys were great.”
Jessica and Suzanne have invested in a sanitizing machine from Sanifog to help ensure the safety of their customers. “We don’t know when, if ever, things are going back to normal” Jessica stated, “we want to make sure our customers feel safe, which is easier here because you are coming in with people in your own bubble, and you are locked in a room with only them.”
Navigating the changing regulations due to the Corona Virus pandemic will pose challenges but Escape Room Atlantic seems to be looking towards the future. Jessica said she is still looking for new ideas for rooms and will continue to make safety a top priority. “We are so happy to be open again and want to continue giving the area a fun and safe activity to do.”
