Ingenious Escape Rooms was founded in 2017 by Javen Freeborn, a proud Bakersfield local! After playing his first escape room he got hooked and decided to take a leap and start one himself.. at the ripe age of 11 years old!  (now 18) ​

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Convincing his parents to let him turn spare bedrooms into escape rooms was just one feat he overcame. Growing a startup business is very challenging, "you wear many different hats and it can be a lot sometimes. You have to sacrifice things but in the long run it pays off" says Javen.

 

After the pandemic and 4 successful years running the escape room out of the house, an opportunity came up to expand here in Bakersfield! Ingenious Escape Rooms negotiated a deal to purchase Real Escape another local escape room location on District Blvd. 

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The merger plan consisted of the location at the house winding down operations and consolidating operations into the larger 4,000 square foot location on district boulevard. After lengthy renovation project and building new fresh experiences the new venue was ready for our guests! ​

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Although Ingenious has grown and our team has greatly expanded Javen still loves to work the front end of things and host guests. He says "I enjoy seeing familiar faces year after year, i'm so thankful for this community that has come and support me time and time again"