CluedIn Escape Rooms opens in Glen Ellyn

GLEN ELLYN – As someone who enjoyed the fun and challenge that escape rooms offer, Woodridge resident Brian Sommer wanted to see if he could come up with an escape room that would be equally as challenging.

Sommer opened CluedIn Escape Rooms in November 2016 at 440 Roosevelt Road in Glen Ellyn. It is a live-action game for groups of as many as six people. Those entering the escape room are surrounded by a variety of puzzles, riddles and games, which they have to solve in an hour's time in a particular order to "escape" from the room.

"For a short while, I worked at an escape room," Sommer said. "It was a part-time gig. And while I was there, that's where I kind of got to learn what it was like behind the scenes and what it would take to actually build an escape room."

Escape rooms intrigue Sommer.

"I've been a puzzle game person my entire life," he said. "The idea of a live-action game like this was just completely and totally up my alley. I really like puzzles and riddles and games. And I really enjoy watching people enjoying what I have created, and also enjoying a hobby of mine."

In the case of Sommer's business, he came up with the idea of having people solve various puzzles and clues to escape from an abandoned asylum. He hopes to add a second game soon.

The building that houses CluedIn Escape Rooms previously had housed salon suites, which Sommer said allows him to expand as needed.

"There's a bunch of small rooms already built, and then all I have to do is knock down some walls and put in some doors and the next thing you know, I've got rooms that are what I need," Sommer said.

He has seen a variety of customers go through the escape room, including businesses using the game as a team-building exercise.

"There's a place called iLoveKickboxing in Aurora that came out here and did their Christmas party team-building event," Sommer said. "You end up seeing people falling into certain roles. You usually have someone who is a really good leader, and then you'll have a person who might be a better problem solver. And then there might be people who are better out-of-the-box thinkers. There are all sorts of different roles that people naturally start falling into. It's fascinating to watch."

Matt Strysik of Lisle went through The Asylum at CluedIn Escape Rooms recently with a group. He thought it was challenging.

"I think it was pretty difficult," he said. "I like games, and it's a good way to pass the time. Listening is very much key, and making sure everyone is working together."

Abigail Arnold of Elmhurst had never done an escape room before going through The Asylum.

"It was a fun little thing," she said. "I'm super into the mystery thing, Nancy Drew and all of that fun stuff."

---

If you go

What: CluedIn Escape Rooms

Address: 440 Roosevelt Road, Glen Ellyn

Hours: Appointment times vary by day

Info: cluedinescaperooms.com, 331-481-9535