What South Jersey's sudden explosion of regional entertainment venues means for family fun
Indoor entertainment venues focused on drawing in all age groups and entire families are poised to open in coming months across South Jersey and some soon enough to take advantage of summer vacation.
Areas with the right mix of children are getting hard looks by entrepreneurs. Big operators like Dave & Buster’s may spring to mind as “Family Entertainment Centers,” but the opportunities are drawing smaller and one-time investors.
The indoor entertainment centers can be “new builds,” but this concept also is filling gaps in struggling malls and repurposing theaters and other free-standings buildings with massive square footage to use.
Market studies say audiences also are attracted by new electronic games and high technology offerings such as virtual reality and 3D experiences.
Fun City takes chance on Cumberland County for second South Jersey venture
Fun City Adventure Park, which recently opened a site in Blackwood, is opening its second location in New Jersey at Union Lake Crossing shopping center in Millville. The company points to a summer 2023 opening, but not to a certain date.
The adventure park is taking 36,500 square feet of a former Dick’s Sporting Goods store. For now, conversion work has gutted the store to its walls.
Among other features, the Union Lake Crossing Fun City will have trampoline courts, a Ninja course, a ropes course, a zipline, dodgeball, basketball, a playground, a battle beam, a foam pit, bumper ball, and an arcade. The facility may also include bumper cars.
Fun City General Manager Nick Zhang dropped news of the Millville site in December 2022. The Blackwood venue successfully debuted and this site hopefully does the same in the Greater Millville-Vineland market, he said.
“Union Lake Crossing’s strong tenant mix, easy access, and wide geographic draw made it a logical sport for our second New Jersey location.”
From down South, 810 Billiards & Bowling places bet on Vineland
More than one entertainment has eyes on the Greater Millville-Vineland market. An 810 Billiards & Bowling franchise owned by local businessman Gary Singh anticipates opening in December, also close to the center of that market.
Like the sign will say, pool and bowling are big parts of 810 Billiards and Bowling. The former flooring supply outlet at 3679 South Delsea Drive it is adapting offers lots of room for 16 lanes and multiple pool tables.
Tucked into the remaining spaces are arcade games, interactive golfing stations, and, for adults, an axe throwing venue.
Food and drink sales are critical to success with an 810 Billiards & Bowling, so a restaurant and a bar have their niches.
"South Jersey is a region that’s heavily populated with families," Singh said. "One of the main reasons why we chose to open an 810 Billiards & Bowling in South Jersey is that we see a high demand for affordable, family, indoor `entertainment' options that are a year-round staple for families looking to celebrate birthdays, graduations and create opportunities for the whole family to enjoy time together."
Reworked theater keeps movies but adds bowling, restaurant, games
Cape May County is breathing in the family entertainment concept at a reworked theater in the Rio Grande section, courtesy of an agreement between South Jersey-based Town Square Entertainment and the county.
The Cape Square Entertainment Complex is at 3801 Route 9 South, near Route 47, and takes up what is the former Frank Theatres Rio Stadium.
JKRP Architects of Philadelphia designed the transformation, which should see an opening as soon as mid-May. The project theme is creating a “retro shore town.”
The architecture firm says the theater will have three new auditoriums. There will have 24 bowling lanes, a “Boardwalk-style” games area, a golf simulator area, and a large indoor and outdoor bar and grill.
The complex also will have an exterior beer garden and a higher end, standalone restaurant.
“The goal of the project is to provide local residents and vacationers alike a premiere entertainment destination,” according to the firm.
Top tier of entertainment franchises sets up in Atlantic City
Dave & Buster’s is among the major operators in the family entertainment industry, and is set to make its second splash in New Jersey on November 20 in Atlantic City.
Dave & Buster’s is renovating a former club at 2120 Atlantic Avenue. The club is part of the Tanger Outlets at The Walk.
The company’s other New Jersey location opened in December 2020s in Blackwood on Premium Outlets Drive.
The 150-store chain is known for offering hundreds of games, including bowling, laser tag, arcade games, tabletop, air hockey, ping pong, and billiards.
The Atlantic City site’s sports bar will feature a 40-foot wall of high definition televisions.
Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey more than 30 years ago, keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times.
Have a tip? Reach out at jsmith@thedailyjournal.com. Help support local journalism with a subscription.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: South Jersey indoor family fun sites focus on games, food, sports
