Malibu Jack’s: ‘Fun’s up!’

Walking through rows of arcade games – and seeing the celebratory lights, bells and whistles on the dizzying array of options – the term “Casino for Kids” effortlessly pops into one’s head. However, Malibu Jack’s in Bettendorf offers so much more than slot machines for the younger generation. The Quad Cities’ newest amusement center also […]

Walking through rows of arcade games – and seeing the celebratory lights, bells and whistles on the dizzying array of options – the term “Casino for Kids” effortlessly pops into one’s head. However, Malibu Jack’s in Bettendorf offers so much more than slot machines for the younger generation. The Quad Cities’ newest amusement center also mixes together more grown-up pursuits from go-kart racing to laser tag with traditional family fun including bowling, miniature golf and the familiar County Fair fare of amusement rides such as mini-roller coasters and bumper cars. A boat-themed bounce house even anchors a special play area for toddlers. The everything-under-one-roof concept comes from Jester FEC, a business started 22 years ago by three brothers and still operated by them and their growing families in Lexington, Kentucky.

Ribbon cutting April 5

The official ribbon-cutting ceremony and VIP party for Malibu Jack’s is Friday, April 5, at 4:30 p.m. at 858 Middle Road.  The indoor theme park already is open for business, though, and has been since late February, said project manager Tom Cardiff. The early opening, he said, was to help get the current staff of 85 employees (50 full-time) fully up-to-speed for that official launch when the on-site restaurant, bar and party rooms will be completely functional. The 90,000-square-foot entertainment facility marks the melding of the old Schnucks supermarket with a former Marshalls department store next door at Bettendorf’s Duck Creek Plaza.  “Both the city and property owners hope we can revitalize and breathe some new life into a great location,” said Tyler Hatton, the public relations director for Jester FEC and the son of one of the founding brothers. “What’s not to love?” Mr. Cardiff added about the site that began life as an outdoor mall of shops built in the 1960s and redeveloped in the early 2000s when Home Depot arrived to anchor the site. Schnucks Bettendorf closed its doors in August of 2020.  “We’re right here on a main street and in a shopping center where there’s a lot of traffic in and out of here. And we’re sitting right off the (Interstate 74), so it’s easy for people from across the (Mississippi) river in Illinois to enjoy what we do, too.” The Quad Cities area also is a perfect fit for the family-focused business.

“From our market research, this is a place where people are going to spend time and money on their kids and family,” Mr. Cardiff said. “We hope they’ll come through our door and then the experience will bring them back – maybe not the very next day but the next time they are looking for some family fun together. We like to think that no matter how old or young you are, you can find something you can do and have fun.” This is the sixth Malibu Jack’s opened by Jester FEC – and the second in six months – following closely on the heels of an October 2023 startup in Springfield, Illinois.  Mr. Cardiff, who is among only three company executives from outside the Hatton family, also worked on the Springfield project and remains involved with the management there. The longtime family friend said the company sold the first four Malibu Jack’s but continues to manage those locations. He added the QC site was a bit smaller than the others – but still was a multi-million-dollar project with the toughest detail being an emergency door requested by city inspectors to help prevent a fire from spreading from one old store to the other. “This project could have been much more difficult putting two stores together,” Mr. Cardiff said, adding “but everybody helped make it an easy transformation.”

Competition welcome

Malibu Jack’s share a road with two other kid-centric destinations. The new Bettendorf indoor aquatics center, set now to open in 2025, is less than a five-minute car ride away – and another 10 minutes east is the TBK Bank Sports Complex and its many options, including Iron Tee golf set to open in May. “We are not afraid of competition,” Mr. Hatton said. “Instead, our attitude is the more, the merrier. “We think we offer a great product and a different enough experience that compliments those other attractions and gives guests another entertainment option – kind of like Orlando (Florida) where you have Disney World and Universal (Studios) and Sea World among all of the attractions there.” Added Mr. Cardiff, “The sports complex is great, and especially offers entertainment in between games for out-of-town visitors coming to play sports there. But Malibu Jack’s doesn’t affect that – and vice versa.” Instead, Malibu Jack’s is reminiscent of Davenport’s Incredible Pizza from the previous generation -- tailored to be a birthday party host with guests asked to bring their own cake – otherwise everything else is available for purchase on site. Corporate and group outings are a good fit, too, with the restaurant and bar both offering simple options such as pizza, hamburgers, French fries and pre-made drinks. Malibu Jack’s should average between 15-20 parties on a Saturday and another 15 or so on Sundays, Mr. Cardiff said. The indoor theme park operates seven days per week with the hours ranging from noon to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; noon to 11 p.m. Fridays; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays; and noon to 10 p.m. Sundays. It can be reached at (563) 552-0046. Summer hours also will change when school is out to allow for some later fun to 11 p.m., which in turn, increases the staff to 100 or so employees, Mr. Cardiff added. “We’re constantly hiring,” he said. “We have a lot of hours to cover and a lot of jobs to do once we get humming. So, anybody interested in a job come on over and apply.”