Fun City to open second New Jersey location in aggressive expansion

An indoor family entertainment brand is on track to double its center count.

Fun City Adventure Park has signed a lease for a former Dick’s Sporting Goods space at Union Lake Crossing in Millville, New Jersey. The brand, whose locations combine trampoline courts with ziplines, basketball courts, Ninja courses and arcades, currently operates 20 locations in seven states and now has 14 more sites under development. The Union Lake location is anticipated to open in mid-2023.

"After a successful New Jersey debut in Blackwood, we look forward to bringing our diverse blend of recreational activities to the greater Millville-Vineland market," said Nick Zhang, Fun City’s general manager. "Union Lake Crossing's strong tenant mix, easy access, and wide geographic draw made it a logical spot for our second New Jersey location."

Occupying most of the former Dick's store,  Fun Center will join the power center’s current tenant roster, which includes ShopRite, Kohl's, Staples, Boot Barn, Famous Footwear, Party City, Five Below, Buffalo Wild Wings, Moe's Southwest Grill, Sonic and others.

A major shadow anchor of Union Lake is Target, which owns its building on the property.

The deal is testimony that other retail real estate sectors outside of malls are striving to increase their traffic diversifications and dwell times with family entertainment attractions.

"Fun City adds a new dimension that should drive more traffic to our existing tenants, lengthen the time of shopper visits, and bolster Union Lake's appeal to new tenants,” said Mark Irgang, CEO of Irgang Group, owner of Union Lake.

Irgang recently appointed New Jersey-based R.J. Brunelli as its exclusive leasing agent for the center. Ten spaces ranging from 1,945 sq. ft. to 15,000 sq. ft. are available at Union Lake, including a pad site and an endcap unit with drive-thru potential.

Tenant types targeted for the open spaces, according to Brunelli, are quick-service and full-service restaurants; home improvement; home décor; women's apparel; bedding retailers; fitness centers, and medical services.

Fun City’s existing 20 locations span seven states,  extending from Maine to New Jersey.  The company's additional sites under construction or with signed leases include initial locations in New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Illinois, and Kansas.