Time to Pump It Up

Date AddedOctober 12, 2009 10:03:25 PM

Author

There's a new option for birthday parties in Norwalk-- one with huge rooms full of giant inflatables for jumping, bouncing, climbing and sliding.

Nancy Grago and Monique Rutledge have opened Pump It Up at 145 Main St., the former location of Golf Training Center. Pump It Up is a franchise with locations throughout the United States. The Norwalk location is the first in Connecticut.

"Adults can do it, too. We strongly encourage parents to get up and jump with their children," Rutledge said. "Interact. We're all about the physical experience."

In addition to children's parties, Pump It Up will be available for corporate team building outings. It will also hold walk-in hours for children and adults to use the inflatable stations.

"Family Jump Time will be a great thing on Thursday nights," Drago said. "For a few extra dollars we'll have pizza and beverage."

Pump It Up will include six giant inflatables, one small bouncer for younger children and a 15-foot climbing wall. It will also have rooms for eating and a toddler room.

"It's a safe, clean environment where kids can have a ball," Rutledge said. "The concept of using inflatable equipment is becoming more and more popular. I had borrowed one from Nancy a while ago and all the kids on the block were over all the time."

Rutledge and Grago are related by marriage and have five children between them. Despite the number of other options available for children's birthday parties, they feel as if they have hit upon a strong possibility of success.

"We did our due diligence when we researched the area. There aren't any other businesses like Pump It Up around here," Drago said. "This is more interactive. It gives kids the ability to play with each other and compete with each other. It's also great exercise.

"For anyone in this economy to take a step like this ... we're very passionate about this," she added.

Property landlord Stanley M. Seligson liked the unique concept of the business.

"Pump It Up will enhance recreational opportunities for children in the City of Norwalk and surrounding towns," he said. "This location will be a destination for families in Fairfield County and we know that Pump It Up will be extremely successful."

The Norwalk location has held its "soft opening" and will hold a grand opening in October.

The 12.500 square foot space features high walls and ceilings is painted in bright colors to match the colorful inflatables. Both owners feel they have found the perfect location.

"We saw the location and jumped on it," Rutledge said. "It's accessible by the Merritt and I-95 and Route 1. It offered us the high ceilings and light industrial feel we were looking for. The pending (housing) construction in the area was a plus, too."

Rutledge is getting back into the work force after a nine-year hiatus raising children. She had put together a business plan to open her own children's gym business, but the project never came to fruition. After putting so much thought and effort into starting her own business, Rutledge was reluctant to go with a franchise.

The Pump It Up franchise idea and support was enough to sway Rutledge.

"I was hesitant at first because I had put in so much time developing my own gym and business model," she said. "It took me awhile before I actually agreed to do it."

Drago was on board with the franchise from the beginning.

"They've already figured it out -- what to do, what not to do," she said. "This franchise takes it one step further and offers a lot of support. They've already done it, beta-tested it and know it works. They make the process easy."

For more information about Pump It Up, visit www.pumpitupparty.com, or call (203) 838-JUMP (5867).