Escape artists Trapped Toledo welcomes gamers once more

In the past year you may have felt trapped at home. You weren’t the only one. Trapped Toledo, an interactive theater specializing in escape rooms, is returning to the “new normal” despite the effects of COVID-19.

The pandemic hits

When Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued the Stay Home Order, many companies were forced to close their doors. Trapped Toledo was one of those businesses. But the shutdown was a double-edged sword – Trapped Columbus, a subsidiary of Escape Rooms, was suffering from insufficient business even before the pandemic broke out.

“Our people are there when business is generated, not the other way around,” said Kimmer Callahan, chief marketing officer of Trapped Toledo and Trapped Columbus. “So when guests weren’t booking events, we just couldn’t pay our staff without making money – that (the lack of business before the pandemic) would have put us out of business,” he adds.

The captured Columbus had to close. “[The award of PPP funds] were all based on the employee hours of the previous period, ”explains Kimmer. “In 2020 we sold the site to a company that eventually went bankrupt. The captured Columbus was unable to pay the staff, resulting in layoffs. In addition, we could not raise government funds because no employees logged hours. “

Escape from the closings

In the spring and early summer of 2020, Trapped Toledo was closed for four months. Then, towards the end of July 2020, the site was able to cautiously open its doors, although COVID-19 remained at the fore and during the traditionally “slow season” of Trapped Toledo.

“Around 70% of our income comes between September and March and with the pandemic, planned events had to be postponed due to the uncertainty among our guests,” says Kimmer. Since then, the Toledo store has only been in operation on Thursdays – Sundays and books five to twelve shows / escapes per day between its three escape rooms. If guests are uncomfortable about the event, Trapped Toledo offers the option (up to 48 hours before the scheduled time) to reschedule.

Reliable staff

Trapped Toledo kept most of its dedicated staff so the shows could go on. “We’re lucky because we have a flexible business and flexible employees who enjoy working here,” says Kimmer. “A lot of them actually want to be actors or entertainers, so their commitment is personal and goes far,” he adds. Three managers have been with the company for nearly three years, which Kimmer says was a huge boost to keeping their employees and ultimately keeping Trapped Toledo going.

2410 Schlüsselstrasse 567-316-7028. trappedtoledo.com