Lazer Planet, the western side of Ann Arbor’s answer to laser tag, officially opened on Oct. 21 and business is booming.

“We just did eight parties one Saturday,” says owner Gary Ouillette, who recommends booking ahead for one of the two party rooms.

Located at 3219 Broad St. in downtown Dexter, Lazer Planet draws customers from Saline, Chelsea, Whitmore Lake, Hamburg and Pinckney.

“We even had a party from Milan already,” says Ouillette.

He says the downtown Dexter location is ideal for kids who want to walk in and play a short game of laser tag or meet in the arcade after school.

“Our goal is to start hosting more parties during the week. With the Dexter schools being right here, it is easy for people to meet here after school and squeeze in a party.”

In addition to serving downtown Dexter, they are also bringing a lot of people to Dexter, says Ouillette, who has gotten support from Dexter business owners since announcing his plans to open downtown during the summer.

“I’m a destination. That improves everybody’s business downtown.”

Right now, Ouillette says they are focusing on booking holiday parties, for groups up to 50.

“There are families that want to get together who meet and do something like this. Laser tag is also perfect for office parties. It’s great team building.”

For the past seven years, Ouillette has been managing his brother's operation, the Great Escape, in Howell, and operating the arcade games area under Absolute Fun.

Ouillette's wife, Cherie, and son, Joe, help run Lazer Planet. They also employ four others.

Laura Blodgett is a freelance writer and a frequent contributor to AnnArbor.com.