Lasertron center to open in Henrietta

A few years ago, a man stood in the lobby of the Lasertron entertainment center in Buffalo and pretty much summed up the company's goal.

"This is great!" the man said. "The last time I was here was my 12th birthday party. Now I'm in my 30s and I can still play laser tag. Only now I can drink beer, too!"

"That," co-owner and CEO Jim Kessler said, "is when I knew people got our message."

The message is explained in the business motto: "Lasertron — Where adults go to play with friends and family."

The Lasertron in Buffalo — in the suburb of Amherst — opened in 1988 and is still going strong. In July, the second Lasertron will open in Henrietta, led by Jim Kessler and his brother Steve, who serves as vice president and co-owner. The 29,000 square-foot facility will be located at 1175 Marketplace Drive, just east of the Regal Cinemas 18 movie theater. It's on the site where Dick's Sporting Goods was before that business moved into Marketplace Mall.

Construction started three months ago, and more than $4.2 million will be invested in the new business. A grand opening is scheduled for the week of July 27. Lasertron will provide guests the option of playing in two giant multi-level laser tag arenas. A session is comprised of four six-minute games played back to back, and the Kesslers say players can burn up to 1,000 calories when playing two sessions.

There also will be two Cyber Sport courts. Cyber Sport is a combination of lacrosse and basketball that features up to 10 players who compete five-on-five.

The Lasertron Center will feature a high-end sports bar with eight craft beers on tap, more than three dozen brands of bottled beer and specialty drinks and a variety of wines and spirits. There will be 33 large LED and projection screen TVs, and fans will be able to watch the NFL Ticket, Major League Baseball, the NBA, NHL, golf and ESPN.

Between the sports bar and party areas, the Lasertron facility will seat more than 250 guests.

The Lasertron Cafe & Dessert Deli will include menu items such as angus burgers, specialty turkey burgers, pizza, chicken wings, chicken fingers, deluxe nachos, salads and other appetizers. Desserts include a selection of 10 gourmet gelato flavors, various cakes (sold by the slice), decadent brownies, cookies and assorted chocolates.

Catering services also will be provided for birthday parties for adults and youths plus corporate events.

A state-of-the-art arcade and prize store will provide guests a chance to play the latest video and redemption games.

"The Rochester location is going to end up being three times better than what we have in Buffalo," Jim Kessler said. "It's bigger, and higher end. It's a better version of what we wanted to do in Buffalo but couldn't retrofit to do it."

Adds Steve: "There's nothing like it, in the country or the world for that matter."

The Kesslers estimate 60-70 percent of their business in Rochester will be 18 and over. Kids are allowed and welcome, but the focus is on adult fun.

"On a Friday or Saturday night, the average age (for the Buffalo location) is late 20s, early 30s," Jim Kessler said. "We have adult birthday parties, bachelor and bachelorette parties. And adults get to be kids."

The company also manufactures equipment that is used in more than 150 locations nationwide.

"We're like flies on the wall," Steve says. "We get to go into a lot of facilities and observe."

Adds Jim: "We find out what works and doesn't work."

The Kessler brothers grew up in Webster. Jim, 50, graduated from Bishop Kearney and lives in Orlando. Steve, 47, graduated from Webster High and lives in Buffalo.

Jim went on to Canisius College in Buffalo, where he started a corner store.

"Basically a tiny 7/11 in a dorm," he said.

A professor read about his venture in the school newspaper and made contact with Jim, who told the professor his business plan for a "futuristics" entertainment center.

The Lasertron in Amherst opened on Dec. 28, 1988. It's still going strong, but now two Rochester natives are bringing their business home.

"It's something we've wanted to do for a long time," Jim said. "We can't wait for the people of Rochester to see what Lasertron is all about."

JMAND@DemocratandChronicle.com

Lasertron

What: An adult-themed entertainment center coming to Henrietta.

When: A grand opening is scheduled for the week of July 27.

Where: 1175 Marketplace Drive.

Features: Laser tag, 33 TVs, full bar and restaurant.

For more info: Go to www.lasertron.us and click on "Henrietta" location or call (585) 397-7447.