Business that bounces
You won't hear any cries of "don't jump on that" from Gina Metallo.
After all, her business is all about jumping -- and that includes adults.
Metallo and her partner, Cheryl Metallo, opened an 8,000-square-foot indoor play area, Jump'N Jiminy, last month. The St. Charles business features large indoor inflatable play things for kids and adults to jump on, slide down or climb through.
"The kids are just kind of in awe when they come in," Gina Metallo said.
The indoor playground, located at 1900 E. Tyler Road, Unit 300, features five large inflatables for kids to play on. Toddlers can play in a smaller area that has foam blocks and a slide.
The Metallos -- Cheryl is Gina's husband's aunt -- opened the business after Gina visited a similar facility.
"I thought it was a great idea," Gina said. She did printing and assembly work for 16 years before opening her own business. "I've always wanted to do something with kids."
The indoor play area is open from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, with play limited to children younger than 7. On Mondays and Wednesdays, the indoor play area is open from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. for children younger than 13. Admission to the open play times is $7 per child; parents are free with a child's admission.
Also on Wednesdays, Jump'N Jiminy hosts family nights from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Admission, which costs $28, includes admission for two children, one extra large pizza and a two liter bottle of soda.
Metallo said open gym play times and family nights seem to be a hit with her customers.
"They just enjoy the inflatables," she said, adding that parents are allowed to jump with their kids.
Along with open play times, Jump'N Jiminy is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends for private birthday parties. Metallo booked 60 birthday parties within her first two weeks of opening.
"It's been great," she said.
The two-hour party package includes just over an hour of playtime on the inflatables and 45 minutes in the party room for the party guests. The birthday child also gets time in the cash vault where they turn in the play money they collect for prizes.
Metallo and others at the business work to make parties fun for kids and easy for parents.
"The parents can relax and enjoy the birthday with their child," she said.
Party packages for up to 25 children start at $195 during the week and $255 for parties on weekends. Metallo said she includes paper goods, invitations and a party host with each party.
Though recently opened, Metallo said she is listening to feedback and watching to see which inflatables are popular. Some of the units may be changed out and new ones brought in. And if things work out well, she hopes to expand someday.
Jump'N Jiminy can be reached by calling (630) 587-6700 or visiting its Web site at www.jumpnjiminy.com.
Reservations forms for parties can also be filled out online.