RATING: 5 Keys          RESULT: Win          REMAINING: 9:36

A sweet old lady opens a candy shoppe, has a senior moment and ends up with one of the most adorable escape games you’ll ever see!

It’s a special day and you have decided to celebrate in the most delightful way….at Ms. Ellie’s Sweet Shoppe. Unfortunately, Ms. Ellie has been having some ‘senior moments’ and isn’t quite ready for the party. She has misplaced the special surprise for the guest of honor and forgot to set up a few things for the celebration. Can you help find the missing surprise or will the party be a bust?

I mean guys, come on. Could there ever be a more absolutely adorable storyworld premise for an escape game? Miss Ellie’s Sweet Shoppe is one of those rare instances were we knew just by reading the room’s description online that we were in for something special – and without question Escape Room Entertainment delivered, with a cherry on top!

Miss Ellie’s Sweet Shoppe is a believable storyworld that has well placed urgency to draw in its players, while avoiding any sense of foreboding danger. How many times can you say you’ve found that in a game? What results is a completely refreshing experience that is just plain fun.

The Sweet Shoppe itself is on the simplistic side of the scenic spectrum, but it works in full to create a whimsical-feeling world for players to become immersed into. A mix of both soothing pastels and bright, bold colors really pop on the Shoppe’s mint-chocolate-chip-ice-cream-green walls. (That’s probably a real paint color.)

Every shelf is lined with treats – from candy to cupcakes to cookies. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t in a sense a small distraction to my willpower – because I wanted it all!

Cleverly, this room is designed with special occasions in mind – leaving the venue with not only a wonderful, magical game for day to day guests, but also a place to host parties and various celebrations. Escape Room Entertainment markets the space as perfect for everything from birthdays to gender reveals and more – and given the lighthearted theme and already fun, festive atmosphere, there’s simply no doubt that any event hosted here would be a major hit for all who attend.

Best of all, the very storyworld theme of Miss Ellie’s Sweet Shoppe allows this room to be fully stocked – completely in theme, and completely logically – with all the party-going essentials, from tables and chairs to a functioning refrigerator and freezer! In any other themed environment, objects like this would feel entirely our of place — yet in Miss Ellie’s Sweet Shoppe, you’ll not once question their existence thanks to their seamless thematic integration.

For those of you who were fortunate enough to play Escape Room Entertainment’s 2016 seasonal game, Tidbit the Terrible Elf, you’ll know you’re in for a real treat in the Sweet Shoppe. Actually written by one of the venue’s Mom & Pop owners, the style of game flow in Miss Ellie’s Sweet Shoppe is unique and instantly recognizable.

Each puzzle is crafted in a whimsical, light-hearted fashion unlike nearly all other games you’ll see. The steps are quite literally fun – to the extent that you’ll be hard-pressed to not have a smile on your face from start to finish.

The logical flow from one puzzle to the next keeps momentum at a constantly satisfying pace, while offering enough of a challenge to truly engage our experienced group without ever being daunting to a more novice team.

Each task felt less like a puzzle and more like something we might really do inside a candy store – like filling kids orders, measuring out actual candy or even picking our favorite flavor of ice cream (CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH.) With gadgets, physical steps and a little bit of technology, Miss Ellie’s Sweet Shope provides a gameplay experience that is never too hard, but also never to easy. It truly is just right.

I don’t know if it’s the originality of the story or the fact that we were surrounded by sweet treats for an hour, but Miss Elle’s Sweet Shoppe left us feeling like literal kids in a candy store! It’s refreshing to find such a unique, narrative-driven attraction. And although it may not have the highest of scenic budgets, this game becomes instantly noteworthy for its charm, light-heartedness and just pure fun experience.

And yes, you will find that special present Miss Ellie accidentally replaced. And although we don’t often like spoilers on Escape Authority, yes it is full of candy, and yes you DO GET TO EAT THE CANDY.

There’s one caveat that I feel is perhaps important to note – and in fact one we even suggested that the venue include on their actual website once we played. Don’t let the sweet theme fool you! This game is not a cake walk and does require adult participation. It is a very family friendly game but not intended for children alone. This may at first glance seem like “more of a kid’s theme,” which, may in turn make you feel as though it “might be too easy” for you to enjoy.

If that sounds like you, then perhaps it’s time to put down your great grandma’s sour lemon drops and try something truly sweet!*

*By accepting Escape Authority’s recommendation to play this game, you agree to give Chris 50% of the candy you win.

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Venue:  Escape Room Entertainment

Location: Melbourne, Florida

Number of Games: 5

GAME SPECIFIC INFORMATION:

Duration: 60 minutes

Capacity: 8 people

Group Type: Public / You may be paired with strangers.

Cost: $28 per person

We thank Escape Room Entertainment for inviting us to play this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, that in no way impacts the opinion included within this review.