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Bethel High Grad Brings Escape Room Craze To Danbury

DANBURY, Conn. -- Like to solve puzzles? Not afraid to be locked in a room with some of your closest friends? Danbury's newest and trendiest entertainment option — Escape 101 — may be right up your alley.

Kris Bogdan, owner of new business Escape 101, located at 69 Kenosia Ave. in Danbury.

Kris Bogdan, owner of new business Escape 101, located at 69 Kenosia Ave. in Danbury.

Photo Credit: Courtest of Kris Bogdan
This group is coming in for a night of fun at Escape 101.

This group is coming in for a night of fun at Escape 101.

Photo Credit: Nicole Kasseris
A medicine cabinet is locked up against a wall.

A medicine cabinet is locked up against a wall.

Photo Credit: Nicole Kasseris
A jewelry box can contain many secrets and clues.

A jewelry box can contain many secrets and clues.

Photo Credit: Nicole Kasseris
A locked chest can hold many secret treasures inside and you must solve the mystery to open it up.

A locked chest can hold many secret treasures inside and you must solve the mystery to open it up.

Photo Credit: Nicole Kasseris
You never know what could be locked up inside a chest of drawers.

You never know what could be locked up inside a chest of drawers.

Photo Credit: Nicole Kasseris
A chess board holds many clues within the board itself.

A chess board holds many clues within the board itself.

Photo Credit: Nicole Kasseris
An example of a clue.

An example of a clue.

Photo Credit: Nicole Kasseris
There are many types of locks throughout the rooms.

There are many types of locks throughout the rooms.

Photo Credit: Nicole Kasseris
People can sit around and talk trying to figure out the clue to solve the puzzle.

People can sit around and talk trying to figure out the clue to solve the puzzle.

Photo Credit: Nicole Kasseris
An emergency button can be found in each of the rooms.

An emergency button can be found in each of the rooms.

Photo Credit: Nicole Kasseris
A box hidden on the shelf holds many more clues.

A box hidden on the shelf holds many more clues.

Photo Credit: Nicole Kasseris
A boarding pass awaits inside the box awaiting for the passengers to safely retrieve the cards.

A boarding pass awaits inside the box awaiting for the passengers to safely retrieve the cards.

Photo Credit: Nicole Kasseris
Time shown for the quickest group that has escaped one of the rooms.

Time shown for the quickest group that has escaped one of the rooms.

Photo Credit: Nicole Kasseris
Computer screens in the office monitor the activity in each of the rooms.

Computer screens in the office monitor the activity in each of the rooms.

Photo Credit: Nicole Kasseris

But when you enter Escape 101, you might get sweaty palms as you wonder what you are really getting yourself into. 

"Escape Rooms are fun for people of all ages and group sizes. It's a relatively new form of entertainment that puts you in mysterious and suspenseful situations, which require team work and out-of-the-box thinking to solve," said owner Kris Bogdan, explaining how the game works.

In the game, a team is locked into one of three "themed" rooms, where they explore, find clues and solve puzzles in order to escape. A team is usually four to 10 people. 

There are two travel- and adventure-themed "Jet-Set Rooms," where teams face off in a race to find their boarding passes in order to exit.

The other more challenging room is the "Widow's Room," where players must think outside of the box in order to solve a murder mystery.

Each room has a time limit of 60 minutes, three clues, and one mission -- to get free! 

Each room has a panic button for emergency escapes, and all three are monitored in a security room.

The man behind Escape 101 is owner Bogdan, a 2006 graduate of Bethel High School who opened the business at the beginning of August.

"After learning about, and having played in an Escape Room, I thought the concept would be a welcome addition to Danbury," Bogdan said.

The concept is not new to Connecticut, but Bogdan wanted to bring it to life in Danbury. Escape 101 offers something new and exciting to residents and visitors in the area. 

Bogdan is aiming to set an official grand opening date.

Players of all ages are welcome, but children under 17 must be checked in by an adult.

Escape 101 is conveniently located in a popular location, near the Danbury Fair Mall and the Danbury Airport. Bogdan looked at a few properties while looking for a home. After a tour of 69 Kenosia Ave., "We fell in love," he said.

"We favor the location because it is easily accessible and conveniently located just minutes away from I-84 and the Danbury Fair Mall," Bogdan said.

The site is the former home of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. There is plenty of on-site parking.

For more information on Escape 101, visit its website or Facebook page or send an email to booking@esc101.com.

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