An indoor playground business is opening a location aimed at both kids and adults in Shirlington.
Scramble Parkour will be opening at 2900 S. Quincy Street, according to permits. It replaces The Energy Club gym, which closed last year amid a decline in membership.
Scramble‘s two current locations — in Falls Church and Alexandria — offer “activities that develop children’s minds and bodies” in a variety of spaces, according to its website. But Scramble Parkour will focus on more than just kids, owner Laurence Smallman told ARLnow.
“The most significant difference for Scramble Parkour is that it will offer families with older children, right up to and including teenagers, the chance to challenge themselves in dedicated activity areas away from younger kids,” Smallman said.
The 18,500-square-foot space will feature D.C.-inspired theming and dedicated play areas for different age groups.
“The infant sensory area is called Tidal Basin and will for children under 12 months,” Smallman said. “Toddlers get and introductory parkour area called Friendship Heights. Carefully sized obstacles on padded flooring will give them the chance to explore a fun, active space.”
“The next age group is 4 – 7 year olds and they have two areas: National Mall – a parkour area featuring elements recognizable from the Mall in DC, and the fictitious agility course Lower J Street,” Smallman added.
For teens and adults, the Upper J Street area will feature an obstacle course “that will test the fittest and strongest.”
“This activity gym will be where adrenaline meets adventure,” said Smallman. “It’s a place where children, teenagers, and adults can run, climb, and vault their way through challenging-yet-safe obstacle courses.”
There will also be a cafe area, which offers flatbread pizzas, pizzas, quesadillas and more, much like at Scramble’s current locations.
A variety of promotions are offered at existing Scramble locations, such as discounted tacos on Tuesdays and $2 off wine and beer on Wednesdays. There are also spaces for birthday parties, popular with the pre-school and early elementary set.
Interior renovations were in progress on Tuesday, but the Shirlington space still appeared to have a long way to go. Drywall had yet to be installed in several areas nor had any play equipment been moved in, based on what could be seen on one of the property’s two floors.
Scramble anticipates opening later this summer or early this fall, Smallman said.
Photo via The Energy Club/Facebook
