Tucked among the conventional array of businesses in south Napa’s River Park Shopping Center is a one-of- a-kind place that takes customers deep into realms of immersive fantasy.
With the clock ticking down, participants’ abilities to work together, solve puzzles, decipher clues and complete challenges are tested in entertaining ways.
Welcome to The Grape Escape.
Shannon and Rick Johnson founded the business in 2019 as escape room mania swept America. In November, a family with deep Napa roots bought it with plans to introduce new room themes and launch a mobile version.
The new owners — John and Teresa Mack, daughter Alisha Walston, son Corey Mack and his wife Kaela — now live in Placer County where they operate a construction company and a preschool.
How does a Napa escape room fit into this mix? “We wanted a family business where the adults and the children could be involved,” said Teresa.
Cory and Kaela were the catalyst. “We’ve been going to escape rooms since we were in the womb,” Kaela said with hyperbole.
A fan of puzzles and board games, Cory said he dreams of someday owning an “escape room empire.” “They’re fun, they’re entertaining, I can’t get enough,” he said. The Grape Escape is step one toward achieving that goal.
Visitors have three choices: an Indiana Jones-style jungle adventure, a dystopian steampunk casino whose owner aspires to global control or Uncle Tick Tock’s Circus where participants must solve challenges to win a mysterious prize. Some enthusiasts return until they have accomplished all three.
The Grape Escape is popular for birthday parties, date nights, wedding events and team building, Teresa said. Children and adults contribute according to their talents, she said.
When “locked” in a themed room for an hour, it’s surprising how real the challenges become, Cory said. Participants leave “feeling super accomplished about a made-up story, like they just saved the world. Most who go in hesitant come out having had a blast,” he said.
If a player walks away disappointed, usually “they’re more mad with the team, not the room,” Alisha said.
Escape rooms occupy an important cultural niche, Teresa said. “People are looking for things to do beside just eating and drinking. This is something people can do and not just sit there.”
“People want to do something in Napa besides drink wine,” Alisha said. “They want a sober experience with their kids.”
First-timers can arrive with a range of anxieties. “People think you’ll be claustrophobic. That’s not the case,” said Cory.
“We’re not putting you in a casket,” said Alisha. Yes, rooms are “locked,” but participants can unlock them by pressing a button.
There are no scary people jumping out at you, Teresa said. “We do not have live actors.”
Each room is overseen by a game master who monitors developments on video screens. “We can see you and hear you at all times,” said Kaela. If a group hits a dead end, the game master can offer clues to get the search back on track. About half of all groups manage to escape using clues before time expires.
Escape rooms hold a maximum of eight people. When all three rooms are in play, 22 people can be accommodated. Prices start at $45 per person but are less for larger groups.
Participants can select from an array of costumers tied to each room’s theme. “It makes your team photo afterward much more fun,” Alisha said.
The Grape Escape now offers food with after parties. Partnering restaurants can provide tri-tip dinners, charcuterie, even sushi, Teresa said.
The Grape Escape recently bought a tented escape room to take into the community. Fairs and farmers markets are all possible locations, she said.
Escape boxes are another new offering. After completing a room challenge, groups can wind down by figuring out how to unlock a box and do the puzzles inside, Teresa said.
The Grape Escape expects to replace one of the themed escape rooms with a wholly original challenge later this year. John and his son Cory, who have a construction company in Lincoln, will build it out.
Alisha is charged with promotion on social media, with deals popping up frequently.
This spring The Grape Escape offered a chance to win two three-day passes to BottleRock.
The Grape Escape, located at 1345 W. Imola Ave. behind Rite Aid, is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, which are reserved for special events. For more info, go to escaperoomnapa.com or call 707-927-3759.
