Playhouse bouncing way to success

Children and adults alike will enjoy a bouncing good time when they go to the Super Bounce Playhouse on Pontchartrain Boulevard in Slidell.

The idea behind the business is the brainchild of owners Melanie Beelman and her mother, Shirley Funderburk. Beelman has lived in Slidell for six years. As a mother of two, she wanted to take her kids some place where they would have fun and exercise at the same time.

“I opened this because there wasn’t anything like this for children around here,” Beelman said.

The playhouse is housed in a huge empty office building. Inside the space are nine large colorful inflatable jumpers where children and adults can climb on and jump and bounce for hours.

The place has been open since Nov. 1, and Beelman said it has been a success in three short weeks.

“Business is just wonderful,” Beelman said.

A lot of her business comes in the afternoon after school has let out. Beelman said it gets pretty crowded after 3 p.m.

“I really like the wow factor,” Beelman said. “The new kids have never been to a place of this size with nine jumpers.”

Beelman said her business has some major differences from similar facilities. Super Bounce does a lot of birthday parties, but unlike other similar businesses, she does not close the playhouse to non-party-goers. It stays open for everyone because there is room for a birthday party and other children. Also, after the party is over the guests can stay for as long as they want.

“Nobody else does that,” Beelman said.

Besides the jumping and bouncing, there is also a snack bar. Bouncing around can build up a healthy appetite and thirst. Health is also another factor why Beelman started the business.

“A lot of kids come in here just thinking they are jumping around and having fun. They don’t realize that they are also exercising,” she said.

One of the best things about the jumpers is the parents get into the fun and can bounce around with their children.

The playhouse is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, except for special events. Last Monday, a bunch of adults had a football party at the playhouse.

“There is no real downside to this business,” Beelman said. “I’ve worked in casinos all my life, and this is 100 percent better. Nobody leaves here unhappy or crying.”

A $10 entrance fee allows children to bounce to their hearts’ content for as long as they want, another first for the jumper business, Beelman said.

The Super Bounce Playhouse is open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday.

Beelman said they are still working out the hours for Sundays.

Maintaining the big jumpers is not that difficult, she said.

The only big job is her crew spends two hours every night vacuuming and disinfecting all the jumpers.

“The parents really appreciate that we keep the jumpers so clean,” Beelman said.

The Super Bounce Playhouse is located at 3127 Pontchartrain Blvd.