Take it to the Maxx is no exaggeration, not when it comes to the endless entertainment experiences for the whole family at the new Maxx Fun Family Entertainment Center located at the rear of Shannon Mall. And all under two acres of state-of-the-art, climate controlled comfort.

Maxx Fun Vice President of Marketing Dorothy Lewis said the new family entertainment center is new to Atlanta but not to the industry. The south metro facility in Union City follows the company’s sister facilities in New York and Connecticut. The Shannon Mall center brings with it an area that can easily accommodate 2,000 people with plenty of room to spare.

“We met the mall owner at a trade show here in Atlanta. He said he wanted something new and exciting for Union City, for the mall area and for South Fulton and metro Atlanta. So we’re here and we’re different,” Lewis said with a smile. “We’re a very large, completely indoor facility with lots of activities for the whole family. That means it never rains at Maxx Fun. And with many family entertainment centers, they are places where adults can go to eat and drink and bring their kids. But Maxx Fun is a place where kids can bring the adults.”

“And it’s unique because it’s everything under one roof. It’s climate controlled. It has something for everyone, from the little ones all the way up to the adults,” Lewis said. “We can handle any function, including school groups, churches, business or any group, large or small.”

One glimpse inside Maxx Fun and Lewis’ claim is impossible to miss. Two acres of non-stop family fun includes an exhaustive list of of opportunities that include a beautifully lit carousel, bumper cars, the Red Baron and Dizzy Dragon, air hockey, the MaxFlight simulator, Animaland for building your own stuffed animal, the Sports Arcade and Madd Maxx Mining Co., where fortune hunters can pan for gems and artifacts. And that’s just for starters.

There is a teen arcade, the Volcano Ride, Lazer Tag, the Stock Car Racing Challenge, four lanes of Bowlingo bowling, Glow-in-the-Dark Mini-Golf, Basketball Hoops Challenge, the El Paso Train and Kidville. But there is still more. Maxx Fun has a bumper crop of billiards and pool tables, the 4D Theatre that has to be seen, heard and felt to be believed, a large private banquet room, party rooms, event rooms, private meeting rooms and a redemption center along with hundreds of video games, virtual reality games and redemption games. From there the list goes on.

Then there is the food. There is a food court and grill and a sports bar. A sampling of the menu includes items such as burgers, salads, sandwiches as well as pizza, Mexican and Chinese dishes and, among the deserts, an old fashioned ice cream bar. Lewis said the sports bar, complete with menu offerings, is unique because alcohol is not allowed in the main facility, being strictly limited to inside the bar area only.

Referencing the unique quality of some of the attractions, Lewis said the 4D Theatre is near the top of the list. The experience may be challenging to describe but it is impossible to forget. It’s not only the 3D glasses or the motion seats or the water misting or the leg ticklers. It’s the combination of these features that make it unique, Lewis said smiling with eyes bright, as if the keeper of a mysterious, untold secret.

“It’s unique to the area. It’s unique to family entertainment centers,” Lewis explained. “Not a lot of family entertainment centers anywhere have this type of attraction. It is located on the mall side of our facility and it’s a big anchor for us. And it’s an educational component as well as an entertainment component. The theatre will show a number of features aimed at learning and family fun for both children, teens and adults.”

Among the other offerings that make Maxx Fun unique are the various programs that will begin in coming months. The Mom and Me program is geared for moms, dads, grandparents and guardians to come with a pre-school child for a one and one-half hour educational period filled with exercises and craft time and acquiring basic skills such as distinguishing left and right and recognizing colors, said Lewis. Several of the center’s rides will be included in the program, she added.

“This is really for the parents whose kids aren’t ready for nursery school, for stay at home Moms who want additional social interaction before their child begins nursery school,” Lewis said. “I’ve done this for 15 years in our other facilities. It’s just fun. Those kids grow up with us. Some have had every birthday party with us since they started the Mom and Me program.”

Maxx Fun also provides a variety of school programs and classes. Some of those include the Healthy Kids exercise program, meeting space for PTO groups with space designated for children to do homework or play or enjoy a meal, said Lewis.

High on the list of special activities at Maxx Fun centers are birthday parties. The Shannon Mall center is outfitted with six party rooms and features a variety of party plans. Party rooms can seat up to 50 people while the banquet room can seat 200, Lewis explained.

“Our birthday parties are not just for the younger kids,” said Lewis. “We do teen birthday parties, Sweet 16, all ages, including adults.”

Maxx Fun is serious about everyone in the family having fun. Centering its atmosphere on family fun means that everything must be accounted for. That includes areas such as security, Lewis said.

“Our policy is that no one under age 21 is allowed in unless they are accompanied by someone 23 or older. And that’s to eliminate hanging out. Our audience is families, we want a safe place for families. And that’s our goal,” she said. “We have in-house, plainclothes security and off-duty police officers.”

Maintaining its commitment to families and family fun, Lewis said drop-offs are not allowed at the center. There is an upcoming provision, however, for certain times during the week, called the Shoppers Club, where parents will be able to have children at the center for a maximum of two hours while they shop. The Shoppers Club will be in effect during day time hours on weekdays only, Lewis said, and will be coordinated by center staff.

The new Maxx Fun center brings with it a wealth of knowledge and experience in providing family entertainment. Co-owner Rich Bartlett has 30 years experience in designing and operating various types of family entertainment venues while Lewis, nationally recognized in the family entertainment industry, has more than 15 years putting a smile on the faces of families and kids of all ages. A pre-opening visit to Maxx Fun in December was visibly indicative of the experience and the sheer enjoyment that Bartlett and Lewis bring to the Atlanta area. Coordinating the efforts of scores of workers and staff putting the finishing touches on the center’s endless venues, Bartlett and Lewis did it all with a smile.

Maxx Fun is located just off I-85 at SR 138, Exit 64, in the rear of Shannon Mall. For information and group reservations call (770) 774-9500.

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