Elev8 Opens in Former Sears Building, Bringing Arcade Fun to Citrus Park
If you’re looking for any opportunity to get away from the Florida heat, this new family amusement park might be for you.
CITRUS PARK, Florida – If you’re looking for a new place to escape the Florida heat, the Tampa Bay area has a fun new option for the whole family – Elev8.
As soon as you walk into what used to be a Sears department store in the Citrus Park Town Hall mall, it’s sensory overload.
“There was so much light and everything was so exciting,” McKenna Proutrey said. “It was really cool to get in. And, as you can see, everything was just stunning.”
Elev8 is an amusement park that offers a long list of games, including:
- arcade games
- putt-putt
- Bowling
- rope course
- 4-D experience
- A virtual reality
- Go carts
- laser mark
“Well, the community has been great and supported us,” said Elev8 director Keith Baldwin. “The overwhelming majority of responses have been positive. The opening was a bit hasty. Therefore, we made a small review. All of our attractions are open right now. Karts, laser tag, mini golf, all 880 video games and two virtual reality rides.”
For some families enjoying all it has to offer, the coolest feature might be the fact that it’s indoors.
“Yeah, I’m so glad we’re inside,” said Jessica Kenny. “It’s 94 today, like it’s too hot outside.”
Prices start at nine dollars per session. You can buy packages to save money. For a full price breakdown, click here.
“We have something fun for everyone, from those who want something from a mom who wants to throw a birthday party to young professionals, we are a great place to date,” Baldwin said. “So the concept itself is unique. It’s something for everyone.”
The new amusement park is the third empty Sears storefront that Elev8 has transformed into an arcade and gaming extravaganza.
“It was by accident. It wasn’t really part of the strategy, but the mall partnerships are old spaces that were vacant,” Baldwin said. “And it seemed like a successful marriage.”
Over Memorial Day weekend, the park softened up. The director said they are now waiting for the approval of a liquor license to open their full-service restaurant.
Malik Rankin is a general-purpose reporter for 10 Tampa Bay. You can email her ideas to [email protected] and follow her on Facebook. Twitterand Instagram pages.
