David Schmidt is not sure when the idea came to him, but it has been swirling in his head for about a decade. Located at 1835-G Norman Drive, in Valdosta, Funertia is Schmidt’s dream to offer customers of all ages an opportunity to engage in competitive and interactive games (no electronics) in a family-friendly environment.  

“It is a place to come and play and socialize while having to use some critical thinking skills to compete,” Schmidt says. “All of the games are quick to learn, easy to play, but challenging to master.” 

The first-of-its-kind business in Lowndes County, Funertia features sports memorabilia including cards, team jerseys, etc., as well as general gaming activities like bumper pool, crokinole (a Canadian favorite), miniature bocce and lawn bowling. For those wanting a more competitive adventure with a mysterious twist, Schmidt suggests getting a group together for an “escape challenge.”

Participating in escape challenges is growing in popularity across the country. Also known as mystery rooms, team members work to solve a sequence of puzzles to escape from a locked area. 

“Teams that get out in time can take pride in knowing that the success rate for this game is about 35 percent,” Schmidt says. “But don’t let that hold you back, the fun is in playing the game regardless how far a team gets.”

For example, Funertia features the Puzzling Apartment challenge that involves the search for a particular code that leads the participants to find their way out of the room. 

“The overall concept is that you have entered a room for some reason, and you have one hour to use the information in the room to figure out how to get out,” Schmidt explains. “Some, like ours, also require that you find something first. It takes some quick thinking, teamwork, and determination to get the right information and connect the dots.”

Schmidt says the name Funertia was created by combining "fun" and "inertia" and represents having the energy and desire to be continually engaged in fun. 

Starting his own business has been an enjoyable adventure and an educational experience for Schmidt.

“The most enjoyable part has been overcoming the challenges in turning what was just an imaginative thought into an actual place to be,” Schmidt said. “I have learned a lot about what it takes to get started and what commitment is necessary to make things happen. The moment that signified all of this was when the sign with the logo was placed on the front of the building and lit up for the first time.”

Funertia offers a unique approach to corporate training with activities focused on communication, leadership, and teamwork concepts.  

Funertia is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, visit the website at http://funertia.com or call 229-588-8650.