Cherry Hill's Next Big Thing: An Immersive Gaming Hub

Cherry Hill, New Jersey, is buzzing with excitement over a potential new attraction. An international gaming company is eyeing the former Rite Aid location on Route 38 and Chapel Avenue for a unique gaming experience. This isn't your typical arcade or video game setup. Think of it as an escape room on steroids, where players jump, climb, and work together using interactive technology. The company, Activate, is known for its "active gaming facility" concept. It's already a hit in 40 locations worldwide, mostly in the U. S. and Canada. If approved, Cherry Hill will be the first South Jersey spot to host this adventure. The Cherry Hill Planning Board will review the proposal on March 17. The plan is to keep the 14, 673-square-foot building mostly as is, with a few tweaks. The loading area will be transformed into six extra parking spots. This change is necessary because the property needs Planning Board approval for any non-pharmacy use. The original approval in 2008 for Rite Aid included a parking variance. The current plan includes 53 parking spots, which is less than what was initially required for the pharmacy. However, Activate believes this number will suffice. They plan to manage capacity through online booking and a wristband system. Each group, consisting of three to five players, will have an hour of playtime. This approach should prevent the parking lot from filling up. If it does, Activate will simply reduce the number of available booking slots. The primary customers for Activate are families, making up about 70 percent of their clientele. The rest are groups of adult friends. The minimum age is 6, but children under 10 might find the games challenging. This is a fun way to get kids active while having a blast. The games are designed for adults, so younger kids might need some help. But for families looking for a unique outing, this could be a hit. The interactive technology and physical challenges make it more than just a game—it's an experience. Will Cherry Hill embrace this new form of entertainment? Time will tell.