Biz Buzz: Iowa-based company acquires trampoline park in Dubuque mall

• BY KAYLI REESE kayli.reese@thmedia.com
• Jul 25, 2023

An Iowa-based company has acquired a trampoline park in Dubuque.

Edwards Entertainment Company officially acquired Vertical Jump Park located in Kennedy Mall, 555 John F. Kennedy Road, earlier this month. The space is now known as The Fun Station Dubuque.

“Dubuque has been on our radar for a while,” said Nick Edwards, president and CEO of Edwards Entertainment Company. “We’ve been looking for the perfect location. The opportunity that came about was with the previous owners with Vertical. It’s a good fit for us to come into an existing business that has been established and put a Fun Station twist on everything.”

Edwards Entertainment Company operates two other The Fun Station locations, one in Cedar Rapids and one in the Quad Cities.

Edwards said rebranding to The Fun Station Dubuque, as well as adding new activities for all ages, will take place over the next several months, though he stressed the space will remain open throughout the transition.

“We’re still going to have all the trampoline attractions,” he added. “We’re reconfiguring some of the trampoline areas.”

Other The Fun Station activities coming to the space this fall and winter include a “play maze,” which Edwards said are signature features at their other locations. The multi-level maze features slides and interactive elements.

Other activities that will be added include an indoor zipline, trapeze swings and “slick slides,” which Edwards described as “water slides without the water.”

Two changes have already taken place in the space. Edwards said the Box Car Cafe, a quick-serve restaurant featuring over 55 menu items, including appetizers, pizzas, flatbreads, burgers, quesadillas and desserts, is open for business.

The Fun Station Dubuque also changed the pricing model. Instead of paying by the hour, Edwards said families can pay one price per day, with the ability to leave and come back for more play.

“We’re really excited about being in Dubuque and the entire tri-state area,” Edwards said. “Our company is all about providing good, old-fashioned family fun, and we’re excited to be here in the region.”

Kennedy Mall spokesman Joe Bell said Vertical Jump Park, which opened in 2016, has been a great attraction to the mall, and he is excited to see what Edwards will do with the space.

“We think it’s going to be tremendously popular,” Bell said.

The Fun Station Dubuque is open from noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. More information can be found online at gofunstation.com.

American Red Cross holds 34th Annual Day After Thanksgiving blood drive at Kennedy Mall in Dubuque, Iowa.(KCRG-TV9)
Published: Nov. 28, 2020 at 4:11 PM EST

DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – The American Red Cross held its 34th Annual Day After Thanksgiving blood drive at Kennedy Mall in Dubuque on Friday.

Organizers say more people donated blood this year than last year. More than 80 people made appointments.
Leaders say the need for donations increases during the holidays because some of the usual donors travel or take time off during that time.
The pandemic is also increasing the need for donations.

“Red cross is testing all blood donations for COVID-19 antibiodies, so that’s an added bonus for our donors to find out if they’ve had the virus,” said Nicole Miller, American Red Cross Account Representative for Donor Services. “If they do have it and they have the positive antibody test we can use their plasma for convalescent plasma to help current coronavirus patients.”
Workers wore masks, kept social distance and were seen constantly cleaning.

Copyright 2020 KCRG. All rights reserved.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MARCH 20: A view of the empty parking lot between Von Maur and Nordstrom at Perimeter Mall on March 20, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. Both stores have temporarily closed to help prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

On Wednesday, Governor Kim Reynolds loosened some COVID-19 restrictions for counties hit the hardest by the disease starting Friday.
Those adjustments include allowing malls to partially reopen with social distancing measures in place.
In a statement to Iowa’s News Now, Von Maur plans to reopen its location at Lindale Mall on Friday, May 8.
Hours will be reduced from 11am-7pm Monday through Saturday and Sunday 12pm-6pm. Contactless payment and curbside services will be available.

“I want to thank all who have supported Von Maur in these unprecedented and uncertain times. Whether it was through words of encouragement or an order placed online, it reinforced the importance of valuing customers and employees each and every day. Von Maur’s commitment to the safety and health of both will remain at the forefront of the decisions we make,” said president Jim von Maur.
Kennedy Mall in Dubuque also announce it will reopen on Friday. Hours are expected to return to normal (10AM-9PM Monday through Saturday and 11AM-6PM).

Mall officials said social distancing measures will be in place.