Kids Empire plans new children’s entertainment center at SouthPark Mall in Strongsville

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio – Kids Empire, a chain of elaborate playgrounds and party centers for children, intends to open a new location in SouthPark Mall.

The Strongsville Planning Commission approved the site plan July 11. The commission also approved a conditional-use permit because “indoor playgrounds” and “amusement facilities” are allowed in SouthPark only on a case-by-case basis, under an ordinance City Council passed earlier this year.

Kids Empire is the second new business seeking city approval in SouthPark since council passed that ordinance, which redefined the “regional shopping center” classification in municipal code.

The first was Dick’s Sporting Goods, which has proposed relocating its SouthPark store to the now-vacant Sears space, tearing down the former Sears Auto Center and replacing it with outdoor sports fields. The new store would be called Dick’s House of Sport.

Kids Empire didn’t return a message, submitted on its website, asking when it planned to open in SouthPark. The business will be located on the second floor near Dillard’s, according to the site plan.

According to its LinkedIn profile, Kids Empire is based in West Hollywood, California. It opened its first children’s entertainment center in 2016.

Kids Empire has more than 75 locations in 22 states, according to the company’s website. The first two in Ohio opened in May in North Olmsted and Solon, with both measuring in the 15,000 square-foot range. The SouthPark Kids Empire will measure about 9,500 square feet.

Typical Kids Empire centers include climbing features, mazes, giant building blocks, slides, dance floors, trampolines, ball pits, miniature cars and motorcycles and soccer arenas. They also host birthday parties.

It’s unknown which specific play elements will be included in the SouthPark Kids Empire.