Indoor theme park under construction at White Oaks Mall

PHOTO BY MICHELLE OWNBEY

Malibu Jack’s, an indoor theme park, is under construction in the west wing at White Oaks Mall. The last long-standing tenant in that space, Bergner's, closed its doors in August 2018. Bergner’s had been an anchor store at White Oaks Mall since 1978.

In December, Indoor Theme Park Builders LLC obtained a commercial remodeling permit for 2501 Wabash Ave., the mall’s address. Another permit was filed in January.

Malibu Jack’s three original locations are all in Kentucky: Louisville, Lexington and Ashville. The company expanded into Indiana with the opening of a facility in Lafayette, Indiana, in November 2022. The Indiana Malibu Jack’s is located inside Tippecanoe Mall, part of Simon Property Group.

On Jan. 11, the Quad-City Times reported that Jester Family Entertainment Centers, the parent company of Malibu Jack's, had signed a lease for 92,000 square feet of space, combined between a former Schnucks grocery store and a Marshalls department store, in Bettendorf, Iowa. The article also referenced another Malibu Jack’s under construction in Springfield.

Existing Malibu Jack’s include activities such as go karts, bumper cars, amusement rides, laser tag, miniature golf, bowling, an arcade and a restaurant and bar.

Representatives from Simon Property Group and Jester Family Entertainment Centers did not respond to requests for comment.

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