Zipping to Success

Indy Chamber News Archives

For entrepreneurs, a great idea and some business advice can go a long way.

An entrepreneur from New York, Scott Weiner purchased some real estate in 2007 in Cleveland with intentions to build a shopping center. However, when the market crashed in 2008, he knew he had to come up with other business options. Weiner noticed the success of emerging trampoline parks, and wanted to capitalize upon that audience. From there, the idea of an indoor zipline was born. 

Almost ten years and two Zip City’s later, Weiner set his sights on a facility in Indianapolis that he intended to purchase for his third Zip City. According to Weiner, it only took a couple of seconds for him to decide to buy the Perry Township facility on the south side of Indianapolis.

“I think this is the crown jewel,” Weiner said. “If I build any more, I don’t think anything will be better for this. The building needed so little work and had so much to offer. It was a miracle. It was the perfect fit.”

Hiring Indianapolis native Randy Cobb to manage Zip City Indianapolis, Weiner began to shape his idea into reality. At the suggestion of his banker, Weiner was paired with a Central Indiana Small Business Development (ISBDC) business advisor, Teresa marti, who provided information about the industry and helped with local demographics and projections to prepare a project package that made sense.

The 60,000 square foot building is now home to a 250-foot zipline, trampolines, soccer field, rock climbing wall, laser tag, games arcade, and more.  There is also a concession stand that serves high-quality food, beverages, beer and wine. Their key to success is being able to package multiple events together and charge a low fee.

“The Southside desperately needed something like this. There has been a lot of places come and go over the years. We don’t plan on being one of those places. We have a lot of fun things for the kids,” says Cobb, an experienced sports management professional.

Learn more about Zip City Indianapolis at zipcityusa.com/Indianapolis! See how Central ISBDC can help your small business by visiting isbdc.org.