What's up: New play area opens in Wausau Center

WAUSAU – Local youngsters could jump for joy when a new indoor play area for children opens this week inside the Wausau Center mall.

Jump On It is set to open Monday inside the space formerly occupied by The Gap.

The business originally was scheduled open at the end of June, but shipping delays on some equipment and machines caused owner Kaileah Koehler to delay the opening by a week.

Koehler said Jump On It will feature six inflatable units, including bounce houses outfitted with slides and obstacle courses, in addition to a slew of arcade and skill games on which players can win tickets to redeem for prizes.

Beverages and snacks will also be available, including popcorn, cotton candy, hot dogs and nachos.

"There's just not much for kids to do around the Wausau area," Koehler said, who also owns and operates Fun 4 Kidz Party Rentals in Schofield. "I was buying some inflatables for my other business, and people started suggesting I do something like this there but I didn't have the room."

Birthday parties also will be a big deal, Koehler said, with the business offering a tier of different party packages, some of which include beverages, pizza and unlimited candy.

Koehler said she set her sights on the 8,500 square feet of vacant space inside Wausau Center because the mall already had a reputation for being kid-friendly, offering a small play area and rides for small children in one of its wings.

"I just thought being in the mall would be better for business than a standalone location, and would also bring more business to the other stores in the mall," Koehler said. "I want this to be a good experience for kids and give them something different to do. Hopefully if it works out, I'll be able to expand it eventually."

Jump On It will keep the same hours as the mall, which is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.

For more information, call 715-842-8777 or find the business's page on Facebook.

What's up with Denyon Homes?

A local custom-home builder has changed its name and moved to a new location.

Main St. Homes, which first opened in 2000, officially became Denyon Homes on June 16.

Along with a change in name, the business also relocated from Rib Mountain to its new office at 5309 Schofield Ave., Weston.

"We're the same company with the same management, but we needed to transition with the market," said owner Heath Tappe. "We were big in the early 2000s, and as the market declined, we realized we needed to make a few changes."

Under the Denyon moniker — which is a combination of the names of Tappe's oldest children, Denali and Canyon — Tappe purchased three subdivisions in the Weston area that will consist entirely of Denyon's pre-built and custom-built homes.

"Weston is where the opportunity was to buy lots that are all situated together. It's very convenient for our contractors and subcontractors, and the customer gets a better idea of what we have to offer," Tappe said.

Denyon offers move-in-ready homes and custom-built homes, allowing the consumer to have input on nearly all aspects of home design.

For more information about Denyon Homes, call 715-574-6005 or visit www.denyonhomes.com.