Virtual reality arcade The Gaming Lab opened in Fort Gratiot Township's Birchwood Mall on June 18, 2021.(Photo: Liam Gobeyn)<\/p>\n
Dads and kids looking for something to do for Fathers Day this weekendhavea new option for entertainment in Fort Gratiot.<\/p>\n
The Gaming Lab, a virtual reality arcade, opened Friday morning inthe former Birchwood Mall Campus Den.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Im super excited to see all the emotion,saidFort Gratiot residentLiam Gobeyn,arcadeco-owner along with Kimball Township residentsJaycee and Sam Clawson.<\/p>\n
Virtual reality arcade The Gaming Lab opened in Fort Gratiot Township's Birchwood Mall on June 18, 2021.(Photo: Liam Gobeyn)<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Virtual reality arcade The Gaming Lab opened in Fort Gratiot Township's Birchwood Mall on June 18, 2021.(Photo: Liam Gobeyn)<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Opening the arcade was anabout a $60,000investment,Gobeynsaid.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
One person had booked space online as of Friday morning and the arcade was hoping for a decent amount of walk-ins.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Its an experiment with reality for sure, he said.<\/p>\n
People can book appointments for the The Gaming Lab on its website and cancontact the arcadeat (810) 479-9916 and gaminglaboratory1.0@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Contact Bryce Airgood at (810) 989-6202 or bairgood@gannett.com<\/a>. Follow her on Twitter @bairgood123.<\/p>\n Read or Share this story: https:\/\/www.thetimesherald.com\/story\/news\/2021\/06\/18\/virtual-reality-arcade-opens-fort-gratiot-birchwood-mall\/7744726002\/<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n View original post here: <\/p>\n Virtual reality arcade The Gaming Lab opens in Fort Gratiots Birchwood Mall - The Times Herald<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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 Continue reading