After eleven years of wonder, riddles, and magic, we are closing the physical location of Fantescapes, our beloved escape room in the heart of downtown Guelph.

This decision was not easy. Fantescapes has never been about profit—it’s been a labour of love, a place where curiosity, story, and mystery came alive. Over the years, we’ve been honoured by the kind words of escape room fans who called us their favourite destination, and we’re proud to have created experiences that truly transported people to other worlds.

WE LEAVE BEHIND THREE UNFORGETTABLE GAMES:

The Lamp of the Genie – where players helped free enlightened genies trapped by the chaotic one.

The Magicarium – a two-sided wizard’s maze, with Light and Dark sides played in opposite directions, each filled with unique cabinets and puzzles.

The Arcane Archives – a secret society hidden in a library of otherworldly objects, where new members were drawn into a mission through time.

And we’re leaving behind our enchanted lobby—a place that delighted newcomers with its steampunk-meets-Victorian charm. With its dark, warm, and playful ambience, secret toys and oddities  —it was a world unto itself.

We are so grateful to our brilliant and creative staff, Crystal and Mac, who helped shape every puzzle and every player’s experience. You were part of the soul of this place.

 

WHY ARE WE CLOSING?

-rent raised beyond what we can afford by a new landlord.

-no suitable commercial spaces left in our price range.

- our street will be torn up for at least 2 years to redo the sewers and street-scape.

-commercial rental market has become difficult to navigate, with misinformation and hidden costs.

-looming economic uncertainty, including the possibility of a new recession.

A NEW CHAPTER?

We’ve always run Fantescapes to break even—not to make profit, but to make magic. And for 11 wonderful years, we did just that. We recognize that magic doesn’t have to be confined to walls. We now dream of a new chapter: Fantescapes explores moving beyond the walls — bringing puzzles, storytelling, and adventure into outdoor spaces, from the alleys and landmarks of downtown Guelph to the trails and clearings of nearby parks and forests. We aim to create larger group games, outdoor mystery hunts, and immersive quests that don’t require a building—but still spark the same sense of wonder.

So hold on!  We’ll be contacting you shortly!

To every person who stepped through the door and into our strange and whimsical world: Thank you. You made the dream real.

With deep gratitude,

Shawn, Glenn, Crystal & Mac