Blazing high-tech family fun

Offering futuristic family fun, Lazer X of Cypress opened in 2003 in an effort to fill a void in the area.

"I lived out in that area for quite a few years and we just didn't have a place for family entertainment," said Mark Ferguson, owner. "I had just gotten through working for Enron and felt like I needed to diversify and get into a new line of work."

With a background in technology, Ferguson gravitated toward laser tag and the electronics associated with it.

He did not market Lazer X too hard at first. But within three months, he saw business pick up due to passing out flyers and by word of mouth.

Now, when school is in session, the business is fully booked with parties for two to three weeks out, Ferguson said. Traffic tapers off a little in the summer. At that time of the year, Lazer X does more private parties through programs like mother's day out celebrations.

Lazer X's business consists of about 80 percent birthday parties and 20 percent walk in traffic. The birthday parties are usually for boys ages 7 to 13.

There are two party rooms that rotate playing time. One group goes in for its first session, and then participants eat pizza and start their second round before ending with a birthday party.

Up to 16 people play the high-tech game of hide-and-seek in a 2,500-square-foot arena, which is equipped with theatrical fog, pounding music, black and intelligent special effects lighting.

Beside the laser tag fun, customers like the stress-free party setups, Ferguson said.

"People say that they love the fact that we are a family-owned business and know when that when they come out it is going to be clean," he said.

Going on a decade since it opened, Ferguson never intended to own Lazer X for so long.

His original plan was to keep the business for five years and sell it, but Ferguson had trouble gaining interest when he put it on the market during the financial crisis. There are no plans to sell it now.

"My son asked me if he could run the business and I said 'sure' and we decided to optimize Lazer X and keep moving forward," Ferguson said.

Now the long-term plan is to grow and establish the family's second business, Fergy's Frozen Custard, and eventually open another restaurant location.

The family is hoping that the new business grows in the same way that Lazer X did –through community support.

"We see some of the same families having get togethers around the holidays every year," Ferguson said. "Sometimes we will see a family here with their party and see them again the next day with another party."

Standard laser tag party package

• $99, Thu. and $109, Fri–Sun.
• Includes up to eight party participants, $10 for each additional person, maximum of 16 participants

Includes:

• Party room for one hour and 45 minutes
• Two sessions of laser tag
• Paper products such as cups, plates, forks and napkins
• A free laser tag mission for the guest of honor on next visit
• A "2 for 1 laser tag pass" for each party participant on next visit

Lazer X of Cypress, 13529 Skinner Road, Ste. H, Cypress 281-304-6565, https://www.lazerx-cypress.com