Inflatable center to open in north Raleigh

A new children's inflatable center will take over the spot left empty when the Project 58 skate park closed last year.

Coconut Charlie's Bump 'N Bounce will open in late April or early May in the Celebration at Six Forks shopping center, owner Julie Underwood, a Raleigh mom of a 13-year-old, tells me. 

The 10,000-square-foot space will be fijlled with inflatables, a large 24 foot by 24 foot by 15 foot high indoor playground (similar to ones you'd find in a fast food restaurant), games and a full café with menu items ranging from fresh fruit to hot dogs, pizza, sandwiches and popcorn, Underwood said.

"When my daughter ... was little I used to look for something to do with her that would include physical and social play," Underwood wrote in an email. "I would resort to going to the mall and letting her run ahead of me just to get exercise. Indoor play spaces were not available then, at least none that I knew of. Since she was little, I have wanted to open a business that caters to stay at home moms with a safe and clean environment for their kids to be kids! Run around, be loud, meet other kids their ages, etc. Also as a stay at home mom, I looked forward to being able to interact with adults, normal conversations, for at least part of the day."

The business will welcome groups like Moms' Morning Out, she said. It also will offer all inclusive birthday party packages with themes such as a tea party, pirate, American Girl, luau, princess and more. She plans to hold fundraisers for local schools and offer Mommy and Me classes, Toddler Tuesdays and other events.