- JumpZone will temporarily close Aug. 31 for a more than $1 million renovation and 7,000-square-foot expansion before reopening this winter as Amped Up Fun Factory.
- The revamped facility will feature new attractions including a ninja course, rock-climbing wall with foam pit, large slides, expanded concessions and additional party rooms.
- Owner Josh Fulmer says the locally owned business is evolving beyond inflatable playgrounds while remaining an affordable destination for birthday parties, families, schools and daycare groups.
Popular Florence-based indoor playground and party center, JumpZone, is set to close its doors in late August for a full renovation, expansion and rebrand.
Yesterday, JumpZone owner Josh Fulmer announced he would temporarily close his business on August 31 to allow for the buildout of a new family-fun center, one that’s over 7,000 square feet larger and offers more attractions and amenities.
“I think there’s a lot of people that are happy about it coming,” Fulmer told LINK nky.” It’s going to be a bigger, better facility.”
Located at 5765 Constitution Dr. in Florence, JumpZone is a go-to spot for children’s birthday parties and other gatherings. Its large selection of inflatable bounce houses, playground equipment and games, along with its pizzeria and snack bar, has made it a favorite among Northern Kentucky families.
Nonetheless, Fulmer envisioned a grander future for the business. His newest, Amped Up Fun Factory, plans to nearly double the current space by including new attractions designed for a broader audience. Amped Up will take over the indoor space previously occupied by UPfield Soccer and Fit4U Personal Training, allowing it to occupy an entire building.
Renderings for Amped Up Fun Factory show the addition of a large ninja course, a rock-climbing wall that drops into a foam pit, and several large slides, ball pits and other interactive attractions. In addition, Fulmer will expand the concession stand, build two additional birthday party rooms and extend operating hours. Overall, the renovations represent an investment of over $1 million.
All monthly and annual memberships will end on Sept. 1 as JumpZone closes for renovations. Customers with annual memberships will receive prorated refunds for any unused months, while punch passes, free admission passes and vouchers must be redeemed before the start of September.
Fulmer plans to have the renovations finished by the winter, at which time he will reopen the business.
For years, Brittany Duncan has chosen JumpZone for her young children’s birthday parties because of its affordability. Although she is sad to see it close, she believes the new facility could be even better.
“I am sad to see it closing but I’m excited to see what the new place has to offer,” she told LINK nky.” I’m excited to see it grow up with my kids, going from a place that is more specific for the younger age group to expanding to a play area that accommodates all ages.”
Fulmer remembers that indoor playgrounds were an integral part of his childhood, with businesses such as Discovery Zone, Funky Dunks, and Leaps and Bounds providing fun experiences for kids in Northern Kentucky throughout the 1990s. Fulmer wants Amped Up to reflect his experience as a kid.
“(Amped Up) has the same kind of feel to that,” Fulmer said of the aforementioned businesses. “That was my childhood playing at those places.”
Originally, the Florence JumpZone was part of a larger franchise network with 17 locations across nine states. In 2017, the company was acquired by a New York City-based private equity firm. Since then, many of the franchise locations have closed. However, the Florence location has remained open because it was independently owned.
Fulmer purchased the Florence JumpZone in 2019 after deciding to exit the auto body business, which he felt was negatively affecting his physical health. He was initially impressed by the business because he’d taken his kids there before. Upon learning it was available through an online real estate broker, Fulmer believed he could transform it into a community staple with proper effort and investment.
After seven years with JumpZone, Fulmer believed his business needed a refresh. Inflatable playgrounds, the main focus of JumpZone, were declining in popularity, he said.
“I think the inflatable playgrounds have run their course,” Fulmer said. “I think there’s bigger, better attractions now, and I just think they’re a thing of the past.”
Fulmer noted that Amped Up won’t feature any trampolines because he intends to focus the business on school field trips and daycare events. Trampoline parks carry higher insurance rates than inflatable parks due to a greater risk of injury.
Fulmer also emphasized that Amped Up will remain independently owned, which he believes differentiates him from the competition.
“A lot of these places, like Skyzone, Urban Air, all those other ones, they’re owned by a franchise,” he said. “They’re owned by investors that are never on site. They never talk to customers face-to-face. I’m here with every one of my workers.”
Regarding pricing, Fulmer said admission is expected to increase from about $15 to roughly $20, while party packages and monthly memberships will remain near current rates. Fulmer said the increase is to accommodate additional staff. Moreover, he wants Amped Up to remain an accessible option for birthday parties and everyday play, as affordability played a role in JumpZone’s enduring popularity.
