WEST HARTFORD, CT — A former Sears site in West Hartford may soon be transformed from a department store into an indoor recreational Mecca featuring an upscale eatery as well.
The West Hartford Plan & Zoning Commission last week officially recognized a special permit application filed in June to transform the upper floor of 1445 New Britain Ave., West Hartford, which was formerly Sears, into a “Level99” indoor recreation/amusement facility and restaurant.
The PZC July 1 formally accepted the application and scheduled a public hearing on the project for Monday, Aug. 5, at 7:15 p.m. at West Hartford Town Hall, 50 S. Main St.
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“Level99” is based in Natick, Mass., and operates an amusement center/restaurant at the massive Natick Mall. It also operates a facility at Providence Place in Providence, R.I.
According to the company’s website, Level99 is “a first-of-its-kind social gaming playground featuring over 50 real-world physical and mental challenges and games, craft drinks, and elevated dining.”
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Essentially, Level99 combines the multi-player challenges and puzzle-solving games of an escape room with an upscale bar/restaurant. In addition, there are so-called “player vs. player” games as well.
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With Level99, the so-called “challenge rooms” are rented out to groups of 2-6 people via tickets purchased ahead of time or, if available, on a walk-up basis.
Groups can then partake in a series of games that “test the body and mind,” according to Level99’s website.
During these game sessions, guests can order a variety of craft beers, mixed drinks, and moderately-priced bar food (burgers, gourmet pizzas, wings, etc.)
Sears closed in 2017 and, since then, the upper portion of the property, which is located across the street from the Westfarms Mall in West Hartford/Farmington, has been vacant.
It would be located on the same, 13.13-acre site as World Market, Shake Shack, Crumbl Cookies, Tavern in the Square, and Saks OFF 5th, among other commercial tenants.
The applicant, identified as SF WH Property Owner, LLC, is looking to get a special permit to change the use from retail to indoor recreation/amusement, something that is allowed in that particular zone, according to applicant representative Alter & Pearson, a legal firm out of Glastonbury.
According to the project narrative submitted to the town, Level99’s entrance would be next to the existing Crumbl Cookie.
Guests would enter a 785-square-foot vestibule/lobby area on the first floor that would lead to a 41,428-square-foot amusement and restaurant facility upstairs on the second floor.
Plans call for Level99 to be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to midnight on Friday; and 10 a.m. to midnight on Saturday. It would be closed Mondays.
The applicant claims no additional parking would be needed for the site, as the existing shopping plaza space will suffice, according to the project narrative.
For the minutes of the July 1 West Hartford Plan & Zoning Commission meeting, click on this link.
For more information on Level99, click on this link.
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