My Biz: A playful career at the Play Station

CEDAR RAPIDS - With a background in running water parks and resorts - Wasserbaun in the Amana Colonies, Fun City in Burlington and Kings Pointe in Storm Lake - you might think taking ownership of indoor playground the Play Station was part of a planned career move for Nick Edwards. But it was a bit of fate stepping in.

'My wife and I both went to Anamosa High School - high school sweethearts - and most of our family lives in the Cedar Rapids areas. A few years ago we were back in the area having a third birthday party here at the Play Station for one of our kids.

'It just happened to be on the last day that the former owners were going to have the Play Station open. We had a great time and had no idea they were closing.”

Edwards said a conversation while at the prize counter that day led to a serious discussion with owners Steve and Molly Bjornsen and then eventual purchase of the business.

'This was a 20-year family-owned business and we are excited to keep it going for another 20 years and more,” he said.

Since taking over the Play Station - geared mostly to children 12 and under - in June 2014, Nick and Brittney Edwards said their priority has been updating the facilities and offerings.

'We've updated the play equipment, added new arcade games and upgraded the Wi-Fi,” he said. 'And food service has really been a big update for us.”

The Play Station, which previously offered pizza, now also sells flatbreads, wings, sandwiches and an all-you-can-eat salad bar.

'We get a lot of feedback that the salad bar is awesome,” Edwards said. 'It is really gratifying when people notice and appreciate all that we are putting a lot of hard work into updating things.”

Edwards said that more than 100,000 children came through the door last year - admission is charged for kids ages up to 15, adults are free - and the venue hosted some 1,500 birthday parties.

Edwards said they like to be creative with promotions as well. The Play Station offers summer passes for $35 that offer unlimited visits from May through September, for example.

'You can come and go and stay as long or as little as you want,” he said.

It also offers select dollar admission days as well as special events throughout the year, such as their recent Easter celebration - in which it had an egg hunt for 3,500 eggs and a visit from the Easter Bunny - a New Year's Eve event and a Spooky Station.

'One of our biggest efforts is focusing on these events and we want to continue to grow our offerings and look for new opportunities,” Edwards said.

l Know a business in operation for at least year we should consider for 'My Biz”? Contact michaelchevy.castranova@thegazette.com

At a glance

Owner: Nick and Brittney Edwards

Business: The Play Station

Address: 200 Collins Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids

Phone: (319) 373-1111

Website: http://www.theplaystation.com