When a storm rolls in, what kind of activities do people reach for? For many looking for something to do, Dave and Busters, Skyzone, and maybe even Main Event are popular locations. However, one thing is a similar theme throughout these places. They are all cookie-cutter, but a small-business city like Lakewood needs a new third space.
Game Show Duels has been open since 2023. They have locations all over Northeast Ohio, including in Mentor, Cleveland, and Strongsville. As of March of this year, Lakewood added a location. Game Show Duels Lakewood location is situated on the second floor of the popular Screw Factory.
Jon Elder has owned the business for the last ten years. Before that, he started and owned multiple escape room places all around Cleveland. John has always loved northeast Ohio, and when he came across the Screw Factory, he knew he needed land in it.
“Lakewood is a destination. People come to Lakewood on the weekends to eat and go out; it’s not just your local families. That’s why I think this is going to be our best location,” said Elder. “I was the one who insisted on the location. And even though it’s not in a prime spot, it being in Lakewood was a selling point for me.”
The Screw Factory is a quality spot for new and upcoming businesses. The building has foot traffic from multiple sources. For starters, it’s right behind Madison Park in the Birdtown neighborhood, meaning there are a ton of families looking for new things to do. Also, the Screw Factory hosts a variety of events, so people walking through can find new places to go to, like Game Show Duels.
Game Show Duels is a perfect way for people to connect. For the older crowd, it can bring nostalgia. “It’s game shows that my age group was obsessed with as kids, are now able to be played by normal people. And for younger families, it gives them a chance to do something fun, and it can be used for learning,” Elder said.
Game Show Duels has two main rooms where games are held. The big room, which can fit a minimum of six and a maximum of 30, and the smaller room, which can hold 20 people, give visitors space to have a workout or a getaway from home for a large group.
Maysa Kay has been working for Game Show Duels for two years. She spent time in the Mentor location before coming to Lakewood when it opened. Before that, Maysa was an artist and art instructor. This gave her the skills to lead a group.
“One thing that makes us different is that we create a vibe. Instead of just giving you traditional games, we modify them to make it a competition. We also play music upon request to add a little more personalization to each game,” Kay said.
Much like Elder, Kay mentioned the profitable nature of the Screw Factory. “When we ask people how they heard about us, most responses go along the lines of ‘I work in the building’ or ‘I came to a market here and saw you guys’,” Kay said.
To create the perfect experience, Elder and his business partner flew to multiple states to see similar places to make theirs different. There really isn’t anything like Game Show Duels in the area.
Ryans Matthews, a customer at Game Show Duels, appreciated the experience provided by the new establishment. “I have never seen anything like this before. I always grew up watching game shows with my grandparents, so it’s cool to be a part of it,” Matthews said.
Game Show Duels is open Monday to Sunday, from 10 am to 11 pm. Whether it’s storming out or clear skies, Game Show Duels should be on everyone’s Lakewood bucket list this summer.
