Former Hawks Prairie family fun center is brought back to life at new location in Tacoma
A familiar brand that catered to children’s parties and entertainment has a new owner and new home.
Charlie’s Safari Family Fun Center, previously based in Hawks Prairie in an earlier incarnation, has returned a few miles up the Interstate 5 corridor.
The original business, which started in 2008 at another location in Lacey, shut down during the pandemic, according to new owner Rob Jones.
“The guy was going to reopen, and just sort of ran out of steam and decided to sell,” Jones told The News Tribune in an interview Tuesday.
Jones, who lives in Ruston, purchased the indoor safari-themed business and brought it to Tacoma. The new Charlie’s Safari is at 3610 S. Pine St., Suite A, Tacoma., in Michael’s Plaza.
“I wanted to move it up to Tacoma, where there’s more population and business potential,” he said.
Jones has lived in the Tacoma area for about 3-1/2 years, he said, after previously owning a pest-control company in Dallas.
“I sold that, and then moved here,” he said, noting he’d been “looking for something new to do.”
“I almost went into the doggy daycare,” he added.
The idea of owning a family fun center ultimately won out.
“I have two little kids, and we spend an awful lot of money in these places,” he said.
The Tacoma Charlie’s Safari site formerly was home to Pump It Up Tacoma Kids Birthdays and More, which abruptly closed last year.
Jones says while his business might be considered a similar attraction, it’s not so much focused on inflatables and is not connected to the former business occupant.
What his business does offer is a giant safari-themed indoor play structure, a toddler play structure, arcade games, an adult lounge and a few inflatables, as well as attractions for older kids.
That includes Parkour challenge elements and warped walls, where, “You run up it and try to grab the top,” he explained.
Ultimately, Jones would like to grow the business in Tacoma, establishing the current site first. Charlie’s had its official grand opening late last month.
“I would love to expand, if possible,” Jones said, adding the concept has the potential to be duplicated via franchise.
For more information or to book an event at the site, go to Charlie’s Safari’s website, or call 253-212-3712.
