HAZLET - A zip line, rope course, bumper cars, climb walls and laser tag.
Urban Air Adventure Park, which is preparing for an October opening, has added a layer of family entertainment to Hazlet Town Center, creating fun in what was previously vacant Pathmark and Kmart stores.
"We call it an adventure park," said Sweta Shah, who co-owns the Urban Air location with sister Sheetal Shah and family friend Prashant Desai. "We have worked hard to bring a safe, fun and super exciting family entertainment center with incredible attractions for the entire family."
The indoor entertainment facility takes up nearly 40,000 square feet, including eights room for parties and corporate events. It is the latest tenant at the center located at the corner of Route 35 and Poole Avenue. It joins other tenants including Burlington, Aldi, Planet Fitness, Panera Bread, TGI Fridays and Wawa, which is under construction.
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Urban Air gave a tour on Friday to Hazlet elected officials and What's Going There in advance of its opening.
"This is phenomenal," Mayor Michael Sachs said. "The kids in this town and surrounding towns are going to have so much fun. Everybody's waiting for the doors to open."
Urban Air has six other locations in New Jersey, including one in Toms River. It bills itself as "not just a trampoline park." The Hazlet location features attractions such as "Spin Zone" and "Flip Zone" bumper cars, a "Sky Rider" indoor zip line, a ropes course, climbing walls, laser tag, virtual reality, and trampolines. There also is a cafe with a menu that includes pizza and soft drinks.
Shah noted that Hazlet is a community with many families. "There's not a lot of entertainment for these families," she said. "We wanted a place where families or the community can get together and have a fun time."
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Sachs said parents will no longer have to go outside of the area for entertainment options. People also will have another option when they come to Hazlet Town Center for shopping.
"This is a home run for everybody in the Bayshore area," Sachs said. "Parents are going to have a place to bring their kids."
David P. Willis, an award-winning business writer, has covered business and consumer news at the Asbury Park Press for 25 years. He writes APP.com's What's Going There and Press on Your Side columns and can be reached at dwillis@gannettnj.com. Please sign up for his weekly newsletter and join his What's Going There page on Facebook for updates.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Urban Air opening 'adventure park' in Hazlet Town Center