The fun is inflatable at Merced bounce house business

It’s spring break, have your kids been bouncing off the walls?

Kellie Kennedy has a business in Merced where they can do just that. Inflatable Fun opened almost exactly a year ago on Ashby Road.

Inflatable Fun is an indoor bounce house facility that specializes in hosting private parties, though it also offers “open bounce” hours when you can take your children on a drop-in basis.

Business has been steadily increasing in recent months, Kennedy said.

“In November, we really took off,” she said by phone from a track meet in Atwater, where she was volunteering. “We come to things like this, the city track meet. And word of mouth has been spreading the good word.”

For $5 an hour or $8 for two hours, little ones can bounce to their hearts’ content in bounce houses, run an obstacle course and speed down a giant slide. Family fun nights are held on Fridays when the facility isn’t booked for a private party.

“People are always welcome to bring in outside food and make it a fun night,” Kennedy said.

The business also offers party packages that start at $225. All the parents have to do is bring the cake or other food; staff takes care of paper products, drinks, cleanup and even invitations.

Kennedy said some snacks are sold on site, but those looking for other options have them.

“You’re always welcome to have pizza delivered to our place,” she said. “The pizza places know us pretty well by now.”

Inflatable Fun is at 1735 Ashby Road, Suite C. Call (209) 658-8354 or go online to www.inflatablefunmerced.com. The business also has a Facebook page.

ELSEWHERE AROUND THE BUSINESS BEAT:

▪ Walgreens announced last week it will close at least 200 stores nationwide. It is not yet clear if any of the stores in our area will be affected by the decision. A spokesman said the list of sites set for closure was still being finalized.

Walgreens is the nation’s largest drugstore chain, with a total of 8,232 sites, according to the Los Angeles Times. Of those, 638 are in California. The company has been growing swiftly, but in recent years it has faced more competition from big-box stores and online businesses such as Amazon.

▪ La Hacienda has closed one of its locations in Merced. The original La Hacienda on G Street near East Olive Avenue has been closed for the past few weeks. My thanks to our publisher, Valerie Bender, for the tip.

La Hacienda has been in that location for at least two decades; I remember eating there when I worked at the Sun-Star in the late 1990s. But a fatal shooting outside the restaurant last December contributed to negative attention.

The good news is the second La Hacienda site, a bit to the north on G Street, remains open. I have been there once, though I got two delicious meals out of the giant burrito I ordered.

▪ And finally, Modesto restaurateur John Surla has opened his new restaurant, Lola Bistro and Express, in Hilmar. A soft opening was held Friday and Saturday, and a grand opening is set for Tuesday.

Find Lola at 19920 First St. Call (209) 250-2777.

This story was originally published April 10, 2015 at 5:44 PM with the headline "The fun is inflatable at Merced bounce house business."