A former home furnishings store in Vernon Hills could be repurposed as an experience center for little ones.
Village officers have approved the strategy for an City Air Journey Park at 413 N. Milwaukee Ave. in the Market searching middle.
The 60,551-sq.-foot area was occupied final by Ashley Homestore, which moved somewhere else in town various yrs in the past.
City Air Journey Park is a franchise with 153 destinations in the U.S. and Canada and 80 extra in growth. Suburban destinations involve outlets in Crystal Lake, Naperville and St. Charles.
The small business has advanced from a trampoline park to incorporate a range of sights such as go-karts, rock walls, rope classes, foam pits, climbing partitions, laser tag, zip traces and other pursuits.
In addition to stroll-in visitors, City Air services have a quickly-informal cafe and can accommodate kid’s birthday events, company gatherings, preschool industry outings and other gatherings. Membership plans, working day passes and tiered rates would be presented.
The focus on industry is kids ages 5 to 15, and the facility would consist of a guarded location for young children 7 and young.
There are 45,000 children in the marketplace territory, which extends in all instructions perfectly further than Vernon Hills, according to info delivered to the village.

























“The major factor we like about Urban Air is it offers a place for children to escape,” mentioned prospective operator Neil Hoffner, a St. Louis-location resident who stated he is retiring this 7 days just after 18 a long time as a project engineer with Boeing.
Hoffner and his spouse, Linh, function a preschool/working day care facility in the St. Louis location. They would lease the former Ashley house in Vernon Hills.
In accordance to corporation components, lots of franchise homeowners have backgrounds in youngsters-centric businesses and can use all those expertise to diversify into boy or girl entertainment.
Why Vernon Hills?
Hoffner said he has loved ones in Lake County, such as a brother-in-legislation who functions in Vernon Hills and offered him on moving to the area.
“We’re negotiating the lease appropriate now,” he explained.
Due to the fact the setting up is additional than 45,000 square ft, it qualifies as an City Air franchise to provide top quality attractions, this kind of as go-karts or laser tag, Hoffner told village officers. It would be diverse from a nearby Sky Zone trampoline park, he additional.
“I feel the premium attractions will differentiate us from them,” he mentioned.
One of the constructing requirements is a ceiling top of at the very least 18 toes to let for zip strains and climbing ropes, for example.
Village officials said they preferred to ensure there was impartial oversight of the gear for security.
“We are heading to be investigating that — what 3rd-bash inspection organizations are out there that tackle people sorts of items,” stated Mike Atkinson, community growth director.
Village officers approved the principle for a lot more detailed staff members review and a public listening to in advance of the advisory planning and zoning commission. Village code necessitates a distinctive-use allow for amusement/recreational amenities.
“It’s looks interesting,” Atkinson claimed. “Now that we know the (village) board is open up to it, we’ll dig into the details.”