The challenge for Rob and Amanda Eberhart’s “escape room” clients is getting out.

The challenge for the Eberharts at a hearing this week in City Hall was how to get in.

They succeeded: The Zoning Hearing Board granted the Eberharts a variance by which they can execute the purchase of a property on Broad Avenue across from the Jaffa Shrine to create a second location for their indoor adventure-gaming business.

Players use clues to devise a way to “escape” a room within which is a fatal danger, according to escapetheroom.com.

The players win if they get out within an hour, according to a local resident who has played.

The Eberharts want to expand their business, and the Broad Avenue location will enable them to set up four or five games, instead of the maximum two at their current location, Rob Eberhart told the board.

They plan to keep their current location, at least for a while, even after the new one opens, he said.

Clients are not actually locked in the rooms.

Clients can read about the available games on the couple’s website before booking appointments.

The business qualifies to locate in the neighborhood business zone across from the Jaffa, but it needed a variance for parking, because the two available off-street spaces on the property are insufficient.

Still, there is a fair selection of potential spaces on the street.

Moreover, clients mostly play during off-business hours and there is the potential for arranging to rent parking spaces from nearby businesses or even the Jaffa, according to information at the hearing.

Clients use on-street parking at the current location, and don’t seem to have a problem with it, Eberhart said.

The Eberharts can help provide customers at the new location with parking guidance, he added.

The board conditioned the approval on the business using the two off-street parking spaces first.

There would likely be a maximum of 22 people at the property at any given time — two employees and 10 gamers, if two games are going on simultaneously, he said.

The Eberharts needed the parking variance because the last previous use of the property, which also didn’t conform to zoning rules, had lapsed more than a year ago.

The property has been used as a medical office, a counseling office and a law office, according to information at the hearing.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.