Family World offers fun fare

EVANS MILLS — Wen J. Chen used to drive to Syracuse to take her two children, ages 7 and 3, to Chuck E. Cheese.

But instead of driving two or three hours for pizza and arcade games, she and her husband, Zu H. Pan, decided to create their own version. Family World, 26390 Route 11, opened last month in the J&J Plaza.

"In town right now, there's nothing for the family where the parents can sit and the kids can run and play," Ms. Chen said. "At Chuck E. Cheese, I took the kids there and saw they had a great time. I could sit down and have dinner while they ran and played."

Family World has about a dozen arcade games, an air hockey table and an indoor playground. Booths and tables sit along walls, while the games are in the middle of the space. Posters of Disney characters decorate the walls, metallic stars hang from the ceiling and Asian-themed decorations are smattered throughout.

Ms. Chen said when her family ran a restaurant, they worked long hours and didn't see the children very much. After selling the restaurant, she and her husband decided on this venture.

"We wanted to have the family included," she said. "I can share time with my kids and work."

In addition to the traditional pizza-shop fare, Ms. Chen and Mr. Pan are serving Asian food.

"We have a little more choice," Ms. Chen said.

Family World has a party room tucked away at one end of the space, available for reservations.

"We wish everybody can have fun here," Ms. Chen said.

Family World is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays. The phone number is 629-6273.