MARION - A Sesser native is making plans to open a pirate-themed family entertainment center this fall at the Illinois Centre mall in Marion.

Eugene "Ditto" Basso said Wednesday that Marion is a rapidly growing area and he is excited about the opportunity to try a new business venture he thinks will appeal to children and adults.

Basso said plans are to construct a 17,000-square-foot facility that would house well over 100 video games initially, room for laser tag players to roam and a restaurant.

"We're going to call it Pirate Pete's Family Entertainment Centers," Basso said. "It's somewhat similar to Chuck E. Cheese's and Dave & Buster's, but not exactly. Our restaurant will be separate from the game room divided by a large saltwater aquarium. Chuck E. Cheese appeals mainly to children 12 and under, while Dave & Buster's is designed more for adults. We're going to try to reach a happy medium with Pirate Pete's. I've already hired a chef consultant out of Philadelphia. I will have meals that a family watching its budget can afford."

A retired employee of the Secretary of State's office in Springfield, Basso said he hopes to open by mid-November.

Illinois Centre mall manager Bob Hardy said he is "pretty excited" about the entertainment center.

"They're going to have party rooms, and everything's going to be tailored for the family," Hardy said. "From what I have seen so far, Ditto's going to do it up right. He's worked this concept out himself, and I think it's going to go over great. I'm thrilled for him."

john.homan@thesouthern.com

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