NEWS

Are you ready to make your great escape? Can you do it in just an hour?! The latest new business in downtown Davidson will give you an opportunity to apply your wits to the challenge.

It’s “Escape 109,” a physical and mental adventure game named for its purpose and address at 109 North Main. Players are “locked” in a small room loaded with a multitude of common everyday items, puzzles, and riddles. Their challenge is to correctly interpret clues, hints, and riddles to escape within an hour.

Proprietor Stephen Rust welcomes customers to exercise their wits against his creation. He said the Davidson escape room concerns “Rivalry Week,” a contest involving the attempted retrieval of some stolen paraphernalia. Teamwork is important in finding solutions. “Working together is the key to being successful. Players have to think outside the box in solving the series of challenges. Their collective minds are the ultimate tool in finding the way out!”

Rust noted that the enterprise is very much a family operation. His great-grandfather, William C. Copeland, purchased the building in the 1950s. His grandfather, Dr. Don Copeland, now owns the building.

Over the years it has been a Western Union office, women’s dress shop, Duke Power office, and travel agency. Most recently it was the home of Hampton’s Men’s Clothing, which moved into larger quarters in Langtree several months ago.

Rust had been an escape room player a few times in the past, and decided it would be a unique business for Davidson and the Lake Norman area. It took about six months to evolve from concept to grand opening. Rust also noted that several members of the family have been involved in developing the business. His mother, Ann Rust, is a longtime language arts teacher and contributed her expertise in English language and literature. His father, Chris, developed mathematical content for the game. His sister, Dr. Lauren Rust, helped write the script, and Lauren’s boyfriend, Zach Caudle, created the web site. Brother Ben Rust helped in renovating the store for the Escape Room.

The price is $25 per person, for a maximum of six players at a time. Escape 109 is open Wednesdays through Sundays at 60-minute intervals throughout the day, and Mondays and Tuesdays for private groups. For more information visit the Escape website.