FunZ Trampoline Park has leased the former Bon Ton space at The Westfield Shops.
WESTFIELD – FunZ Trampoline Park owner Johnny Chen plans to open at the Westfield Shops in January 2020.
The family entertainment venue has leased the 50,592 square-foot space formerly occupied by the Bon Ton on East Main Street.
Chen is co-owner of the Westfield FunZ, which has several parks throughout New England. The Connecticut resident said Westfield is a “good location.”
“I look forward to opening in Westfield and being part of the community,” he said.
City Advancement Officer Joseph Mitchell said since Bon Ton closed its two Westfield locations in 2018 – the large one that FunZ will occupy as well as a 25,000 square-foot space in the same mall – city officials have been diligently working with property owner DEI Property Management to fill the vacant storefront.
“We have been working closely with DEI for over a year to try to find a tenant,” Mitchell said. “The mayor and I are excited to bring this ‘Amazon resistant’ business with a long-term lease to the city.”
Mitchell added that now that the large Bon Ton space is leased there are other interested parties in the adjacent vacant storefronts.
Chen and his business partners have a July 8 hearing for a special permit, which comes under the authority of the City Council.
Mitchell noted that DEI is one of the top 10 taxpayers in the city.
“It’s right up there with Gulfstream, Home Depot and WalMart,” he said.
Chen said the Westfield FunZ Trampoline Park would include trampolines, a rock-climbing wall, dodge ball, basketball court, bubble ball, a playground, ninja course, party space and an arcade.
“Once we get the permit, it will take five or six months for construction,” said Chen. “We hope to open in January.”
