Laser One, other stores in Wantage Plaza closing

Wantage Plaza, a shopping center on Route 23 in Sussex, will undergo a large redevelopment project starting in April.

Businesses at one end of the center have said they are closing or moving after losing their leases.

Family entertainment center Laser One has more than 12,000 square feet in Wantage Plaza. In March, the business said in a Facebook post that it would close Sunday, April 2 after losing its lease.

VIP Nails Too, located directly in front of Laser One, will be moving to another space at the other end of the plaza.

Good Guy Vapes recently closed. A statement on its door says the business lost its lease but will be back.

MainLand Development Corp. of Fairfield is advertising prime retail space for lease at Wantage Plaza. Its website said 1,500 to 6,400 square feet is available.

Wantage Plaza is one of the largest and oldest shopping centers in Sussex. Many businesses have been there more than a decade.

Laser One has been open since 2007.

“It has been our privilege to host parties and outings for an entire generation of kids,” said Jim Mainardi, operations manager there.

“I have nothing but gratitude towards the people in Sussex County who have trusted us to throw their parties, hire their teenagers, and provide a clean and safe place for people of all ages to come play.”

The plaza once had businesses such as a Dunkin’ Donuts, dry cleaner, pool supply store and massage center.

Paige Hunsicker, 18, of Wantage grew up going to many of those stores.

“Over the years, there’s been a lot of different stores and businesses in the plaza that I remember seeing and going to. It was always so convenient, as there are not too many plazas in the area,” she said.

“The plaza has provided so much to everyone in the area over the years, from food to shopping to entertainment.”

Hunsicker remembers having her third and ninth birthday parties at Laser One. At age 14, she was hired host birthday parties there.

“The plaza is less than 10 minutes from where I live so it was easy to go to. That’s one of the reasons why I started working there. The proximity of the plaza to so many of us has been a huge help in working there.”

Mainardi takes pride in his staff, such as Hunsicker, who has helped manage Laser One during the past 16 years.

“I have always said that I absolutely love that my job is to help other people celebrate their milestones. It is a privilege that I have held sacred,” he said.

“I am proud to have been able to provide a first job for so many people. The fruits of this are so beautiful: I have been introduced to fiancées; I have had so many proud young adults drive by to show me the first car they’ve ever bought brand-new. I have celebrated marriages and have met children who would not exist were it not for Laser One and the relationships we have nurtured.”

Laser One will be selling its arcade games and other supplies through an online auction, which can be accessed at bramsey.com.

Hunsicker said, “It’s hard to imagine what Sussex County will be like without Laser One. I’ve had countless customers tell me that it’s the only fun thing to do in the area and that it’s the best birthday party place around. However, I’m just grateful for all of the fun times and amazing people I have been able to meet.”