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Time Out! Video Arcade opens

By Lori EhdeNext time parents in Luverne threaten their kids with a timeout, the kids can happily oblige.Time Out! Video Arcade opened its doors today in the Palace Theatre space on the corner of Main Street and Freeman Avenue.Computer Tutors owners Scott and Michele Wessels are leasing the space from the Blue Mound Area Theater Board. Arcade hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday."It’s something we wanted to do when we opened Computer Tutors two years ago," Michele Wessels said. "We wanted a place for young people in town to go."The arcade will feature a pool table (with black light balls), a juke box and video games (such as racing and shooting).The Wessels said they want the arcade to be a place where young people can feel comfortable spending time."The door will say ‘Loitering encouraged,’ and in smaller print below that, ‘Babysitting is not.’" Scott said. "Anybody younger than 8 or 9 should be accompanied by an adult."Young people can relax in a lounge area with a flat screen TV, and free Wi-Fi (wireless internet connection) is available for arcade customers who bring their own lap top computers or Portable Sony PlayStations.Candy and chips will be available at a food counter, in addition to microwavable frozen entrees, such as pizzas, burritos and corndogs.Party rentals and birthday packages will also be offered.The walls are painted black, the windows are covered, and the arcade will be illuminated with black lights accented by rainbow spotlights. The arcade is located only two doors down from their computer store, so location lends itself well to the Wessels’ existing business.Plus, they plan to use the two locations to market each other. For example, some techno lighting and other products sold at Computer Tutors can also be displayed for sale at the arcade.Scott’s son, Calvin Wessels, almost 17, is helping with the family business this summer.A bike rack will likely be placed along the west side of the building, so that bicycles don’t end up scattered on sidewalks."We don’t want to be a pain for neighboring businesses,"Scott Wessels said. "And that’s why the arcade will be supervised at all times."City curfews will be posted in the arcade. "We don’t want anybody to get in trouble for not knowing," he said.Curfew for 15-year-olds and younger is 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.For 16- and 17-year-olds curfew is midnight every night of the week.

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