Virtual reality arcade The Gaming Lab opens in Fort Gratiots Birchwood Mall – The Times Herald

Virtual reality arcade The Gaming Lab opened in Fort Gratiot Township's Birchwood Mall on June 18, 2021.(Photo: Liam Gobeyn)

Dads and kids looking for something to do for Fathers Day this weekendhavea new option for entertainment in Fort Gratiot.

The Gaming Lab, a virtual reality arcade, opened Friday morning inthe former Birchwood Mall Campus Den.

The Gaming Lab has10 play spaces and overall hasabout 5,000 feet of playable space. Theresa variety of games, including racing, rock climbing, putt-putt, action-adventureroleplaying andfirst-person shooters.

Im super excited to see all the emotion,saidFort Gratiot residentLiam Gobeyn,arcadeco-owner along with Kimball Township residentsJaycee and Sam Clawson.

Virtual reality arcade The Gaming Lab opened in Fort Gratiot Township's Birchwood Mall on June 18, 2021.(Photo: Liam Gobeyn)

The arcades hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Prices range from 33 cents to $1 per minute, depending on how much playing time is booked, Gobeyn said.

Virtual reality arcade The Gaming Lab opened in Fort Gratiot Township's Birchwood Mall on June 18, 2021.(Photo: Liam Gobeyn)

The co-owners started working on the idea about six months ago and startedworking on the Birchwood Mall spacein March.Theyhad hoped to open at the beginning of June, butthe arcadewas a little behind schedulewaiting on the last of the computers tobe delivered.

Opening the arcade was anabout a $60,000investment,Gobeynsaid.

With everything coming together,theco-ownersdecided to open on Friday and hopefor a busy weekend, give people the option to come in and play for Fathers Day, he said.

One person had booked space online as of Friday morning and the arcade was hoping for a decent amount of walk-ins.

Gobeyn thinks people are excited for the arcade and hes looking forward to getting people to come in and try VR for the first time.

Its an experiment with reality for sure, he said.

People can book appointments for the The Gaming Lab on its website and cancontact the arcadeat (810) 479-9916 and gaminglaboratory1.0@gmail.com.

Contact Bryce Airgood at (810) 989-6202 or bairgood@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @bairgood123.

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Virtual reality arcade The Gaming Lab opens in Fort Gratiots Birchwood Mall - The Times Herald