It's Official, WeHa Sears Site Will Become Indoor Amusement Center/Bar

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A site in West Hartford once home to a major retailer of the past will now officially become a place representing the future of indoor entertainment.

The West Hartford Plan & Zoning Commission earlier this month approved a special permit to transform the upper floor of 1445 New Britain Ave., West Hartford, which was formerly Sears, into a "Level99" indoor recreation/amusement facility and restaurant.

The PZC July 1 formally accepted the application and it unanimously approved the application, 5-0, at its last meeting on Aug. 5.

"Level99" is based in Natick, Mass., and operates an amusement center/restaurant at the massive Natick Mall. It also operates a facility at Providence Place in Providence, R.I.

According to the company's website, Level99 is "a first-of-its-kind social gaming playground featuring over 50 real-world physical and mental challenges and games, craft drinks, and elevated dining."

Essentially, Level99 combines an escape room's multi-player challenges and puzzle-solving games with an upscale bar/restaurant. In addition, there are so-called "player vs. player" games as well.

With Level99, the so-called "challenge rooms" are rented out to groups of 2-6 people via tickets purchased ahead of time or, if available, on a walk-up basis.

Groups can then partake in a series of games that "test the body and mind," according to Level99's website.

During these game sessions, guests can order a variety of craft beers, mixed drinks, and moderately-priced bar food (burgers, gourmet pizzas, wings, etc.)

Sears closed in 2017 and, since then, the upper portion of the property, which is located across the street from the Westfarms Mall in West Hartford/Farmington, has been vacant.

It would be located on the same, 13.13-acre site as World Market, Shake Shack, Crumbl Cookies, Tavern in the Square, and Saks OFF 5th, among other commercial tenants.

The applicant, identified as SF WH Property Owner, LLC, received the special permit to change the use from retail to indoor recreation/amusement, something allowed in that particular zone.

Level99's entrance would be next to the existing Crumbl Cookie.

Guests would enter a 785-square-foot vestibule/lobby area on the first floor that would lead to a 41,428-square-foot amusement and restaurant facility upstairs on the second floor.

Plans call for Level99 to be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to midnight on Friday; and 10 a.m. to midnight on Saturday. It would be closed on Mondays.

The applicant claims no additional parking would be needed for the site, as the existing shopping plaza space will suffice, according to the project narrative.

From July 8: 'Massive Amusement Center/Restaurant Planned At Former WeHa Sears Site'

For the minutes of the Aug. 5 West Hartford Plan & Zoning Commission meeting, click on this link.