Business of the Week- Pump It Up
The bold yellow walls and the inviting sign on the purple one that says “Celebrate!” say it all. After all, Pump It Up is a place for celebrating and having fun, and has been since it’s opening in March of 1986.
“We party every day,” says owner Laurie Harris.
Unlike the typical fun center settings, Pump It Up is a private party facility, for use by arrangement only – which has it’s advantages.
“When I started this business,” says Harris, mother of three, “ I wanted to do something fun and something that would give me flexibility with my schedule.”
She found Pump It Up, and it suited her perfectly. Customers schedule parties, so she always knows when she is working aside from her regular store hours. Also, the scheduled setup allows her and her staff to give the equipment a good cleaning between uses. Not all fun centers can boast that.
Let me back up a bit here. When I first saw the words “Pump It Up” I didn’t know what the business was. So, just in case you’re like me – Pump It Up is a private party facility featuring 6000 sq. ft. of play arena including several inflatable objects; a 20ft. slide, a 42 ft. obstacle course, a bounce house, and a coliseum (boxing & jousting optional), a sound system, and disco lights. In addition, there is a party room.
Revelers are able to hold their celebrations in a private, clean, safe, climate controlled, and whimsically decorated environment. There are plenty of staff to assure that the party runs smoothly. The business also offers pizza, cake, etc. through contractors. In essence, if you hold a party or event at Pump It Up, all you really have to do is show up. They handle the rest.
Harris points out that she has managed to hire a "wonderful, highly qualified staff." Generally, the staff are high school students who are specifically interested in child development, and radiate a sense of fun, but last summer there was also a kindergarten teacher who worked there for the season.
“We’re always on the lookout for more staff,” notes Harris, “especially in supervisory positions.”
Click here to learn more about Pump It Up from their website.
Pump It Up is located at 25749 SW Canyon Creek Rd., Suite 700 in Wilsonville. (Near Costco, Target, Argyle Square) Call them at 503-582-1331
