Blacklight Adventures growing its family entertainment business in St. Cloud

ST. CLOUD — Big things are happening at Blacklight Adventures, which is preparing a new space that will double its footprint and expand its offerings in St. Cloud.

Jay and Tina Mrozek started the family entertainment business more than five years ago with laser tag as its main attraction, a handcrafted escape room, a virtual reality gaming station and an arcade.

The space quickly became a gathering place for everyone — from children celebrating birthday parties to adults.

“You would think that a family entertainment place is primarily for kids,” Jay said. “We’ve had more adult groups come through our doors than kid groups, and it’s because adults are looking for things to do for fun as well.

“So, we try to select activities that appeal not only to kids and families but a group of young adults.”

The nearly 12,000-square-foot expansion will be unveiled in October. The expansion, in a former section of the Burlington Coat Factory, will further entertainment offerings with two 9-hole mini golf courses, an expanded arcade, six “adventure rooms,” which are similar to escape rooms, a technology-driven indoor batting cage.

The Mrozeks also plan to add extra gathering spaces, expand their concessions and to add a beer and wine license.

The center is a dream that Jay and Tina first envisioned more than 15 years ago after discovering a blacklight family entertainment center in Nebraska.

Tina said the two went through small business administration training to develop a similar business plan. But their focus shifted after their children developed seizure disorders.

“Our minds and directions were focused on that, making sure we were providing and caring for (them),” Tina said, adding that the two began working in children’s ministries at Westwood Community Church.

Trent Abrego / St. Cloud LIVE

“We really saw it as a whole, the pull of family, parents and kids. Kids go one way, parents go another way. All day, school, work, even church, kids go to kids church, adults go there … Everything just pulls us,” she said. “And we were like, we need to have something in this town that’s great for all ages to come together, make memories, experiences.”

After things started to change at the church, the Mrozeks began looking at different opportunities and dusted off their business plan.

“I still had it on a flash drive, I pulled it up,” Tina said. “It obviously needed to be updated, but we’re like, ‘You know, let’s see what we can do.’”

Within 16 months of the plan, Blacklight Adventures opened in 2019.

“We’ve been very blessed and humbled by the fact that you have this idea, and it’s on paper,” Jay said. “Then you have to get out of your shell and show your idea to other people.”

Contributed / Blacklight Adventures

What: Blacklight Adventures
Where: 240 33rd Ave. S. St. Cloud
When: Open six days a week; closed Mondays. Hours change during the summer.
Online:

facebook.com/BlackLightAdventures

Contact: 320-774-1500

Trent Abrego is a business reporter for St. Cloud LIVE and can be reached at trent@stcloudlive.com.