allPlay/inPlay Des Moines

[NOG's Wife]

They need to do something with the walls and lighting to make it look more like an arcade.

I agree! NOG and I have been there a couple times...once to check it out and once to have lunch. I mentioned to him that the place would seem a lot better if they had simply used different lighting. The current lights are way too bright.

[josh]

I will be posting about inPlay shortly. They are due new games very soon, and the project I think is great. The bowling room and sports bar I think we're pretty cool.

[dogbo]

I don't have a problem with the interior. I like the color scheme they've done on the walls and carpet. The private room with the 3/4 length bowling alleys is cool. Additionally they keep adding new games, so that area is filling up too.

I'm surprised however, they didn't' do more with the exterior. The place really has low "curb appeal". At the very least, they could hang some large banners on some of the bare exterior walls to jazz the place up a bit.

Regardless, this is a nice addition to downtown DSM and I hope all goes well for them.

[bluegroupman]

Our team from work went out for lunch there last week, it's the first time any of us had been there. The service and food were good, price was about $10 for a very large sandwich, side, and soft drink.

The plasma TVs were nice, and were everywhere. Didn't really check out the games, but there was some activity in those rooms and it looked like people were having fun.

But I agree with Dogbo, the exterior is really poor. There's some signage/branding around the south entrance, but it's pretty minimal.

I think they should have done something a lot bolder to make a bigger statement. Right now if you didn't know what this place was, you'd have a hard time figuring it out from the street (which from Watson Powell is impossible right now since it's being completely torn up).

I hope they're able to make a good go of it, it is an interesting concept and it's good for this area of downtown to get something fun in there.

[NOG]

I have been there twice so far. I like the Stadium Bar and Grill, a nice sports bar with your standard sports bar food was sorely missing downtown. Its nice to be able to get good chicken wings over lunch downtown now. I also have no complaints about the rest of the place, I think it is a great addition for downtown and look forward to someday getting to play the miniature bowling and winning a whoopee cushion, I am only 789 tickets away.

[Ingersoll1978]

From the Business Record:
http://www.businessrecord.com/main.asp? ... ctionID=42

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Action unfolds at inPlay

By Sharon Baltes
sharonbaltes@bpcdm.com

Running the local inPlay is a family affair, with the owner’s two oldest sons also playing management roles in the business. Shown here from left to right are Justin Stessman, assistant general manager; Michael Stessman, general manager; and their dad, Mike Stessman, the managing partner of inPlay. Photo by Duane Tinkey

Mike Stessman's first attempt to bring his franchised entertainment business to his home state ended on a sour note. But two years later, he accomplished his goal.

The result of several months' work was unveiled on March 25 when Stessman's business, inPlay, kicked off its two-week grand opening. InPlay, which stands for "indoor play", includes two gaming areas (grouped by age levels), a restaurant and bar, banquet facilities for up to 450 people and smaller meeting rooms.

A native of Dunlap, Stessman started on his plans to open inPlay in Des Moines two years ago. After opening his first inPlay center in Peoria, Ill., in 2003, followed by a second in Omaha in 2005, Stessman set his sights on Des Moines.

"As I drove back and forth between the two cities, I would go past Des Moines every time," Stessman said. "I decided that it would be the next place for us."

The timing of his move coincided with the city of Des Moines' request for proposals for a parcel of land downtown on Court Avenue between Fourth Street and Fifth Avenue. Working with Nelson Development, Stessman's plan for an entertainment center and hotel was a finalist. But in the end, the city decided to forgo development for the time being on that parcel of land.

"We were disappointed, but we still wanted to be in Des Moines," Stessman said.

Going back to square one, Nelson Development's co-owner, Jake Christensen, helped Stessman identify alternate locations. Christensen said Stessman was originally "skeptical" about redeveloping the office building at 615 Third St. because of its boring exterior. But the location near the Iowa Events Center and the Principal Riverwalk became a big selling point. Stessman now says he can't imagine another location where he would rather be.

"We are easy to access from the interstate, and we are between Second [Avenue] and Third, which are two of the busiest streets in downtown," he said. "Being adjacent to the Riverwalk and the arena is perfect for us."

Stessman said he has been pleased with patronage since opening. During inPlay's two-week grand opening, half of the proceeds from game cards, the electronic cards used to operate the center's games, were donated to local charities. A total of $26,000 was raised for 22 organizations. Not only are the gaming areas getting more visitors, but the lunchtime crowd is growing at The Stadium Grill and Bar. On-site parking for 77 vehicles is another plus, Stessman said, and an amenity that he doesn't have at his other inPlay locations.

The design of the building is also working well, he said. The space that inPlay occupies is smaller than those of the other two centers.

"By the third time around, you figure out what works and what doesn't," Stessman said. "It's our most efficient in design and layout."

InPlay's 6,000-square-foot banquet space, which offers a view of the state Capitol and the Des Moines River, is also proving to be popular. More than 35 wedding receptions were booked before inPlay opened. The banquet space is actually the "core" business, Stessman said.

In addition to a large banquet room, inPlay has smaller meeting rooms for parties or corporate functions. In mid-April, the Des Moines office of Ernst & Young booked the billiard room and mini-bowling room for an after-tax-day celebration for its employees.

"Our business plan is based on having numerous events at once," Stessman said. "We are an events facility - everything from corporate functions, family get-togethers, weddings and class reunions."

Stessman said his business plan is based on having an average of 250 people per day visit inPlay, with each of them spending about $20. Like most entertainment destinations and eateries, about 70 percent of an inPlay facility's sales are made at the end of the workweek.

Concerts and other attractions at the nearby Iowa Events Center have already proved to be a boost to Stessman's business. The night of the Kenny Chesney concert in April was inPlay's biggest night so far, Stessman said.

He expects to attract more customers from Events Center shows as he expands his marketing efforts, and as more sports-oriented events come to town.

"Next year we plan to do more with the Iowa Stars and the basketball and wrestling tournaments," Stessman said. "All of those things are going to be key components to our success."

His one complaint about the location is that, in his opinion, downtown doesn't have enough hotel rooms. He is building a hotel in downtown Omaha to complement his entertainment center there.

"When people come to Des Moines for conventions, you want them to stay downtown and visit the attractions like the Science Center [of Iowa], the Riverwalk and the convention center," he said. "We are excited to be a part of the downtown redevelopment, and the more people you get to stay downtown, the more vibrant the downtown is going to become."

[dogbo]

I see in All-Play's ad in Juice they have a note about a new restaurant coming soon. I wonder if this is in addition to The Stadium or a replacement? I often wonder how the bar/grill is doing with the loss of the formerly nearby Allied employees (for lunch crowd) and the loss of the Stars/Chops games . I did notice the other day they've done a bit more with signage which helps give the drab exterior of the building a bit more life (although they could do so much more). They really need to add an outdoor patio running on the north side of the building as that would go along way to adding some appeal to the place.

[DMRyan]

It looks like they're adding some type of Lazer Tag game on the 2nd or 3rd floor. There's a big sign in the window for Lazer X. The Forte Banquet Room has a huge new lit sign on the south exterior. I would imagine they need to keep being innovative to keep people coming back. This seems like a tough type of business to run.

[MrMafia]

I would love to see some Green or Blue LED lights light of the sides of this place. Grabs some MAJOR attraction.

[dogbo]

They need something. They have that tower on the building (frontside). How about jazzying that up somehow or at least sticking some cool signage atop of it.

[dogbo]

Big full page ad in Juice this week for grand opening of Fanatics. I didn't catch if it was this weekend or next. They did have live music scheduled for both days (so if this is the former Stadium Grill and Bar, that is quite a change).

[MusicMan]

The Stadium Bar and Grill sign is down - and a poster for Fanatics is in the window.

[MrMafia]

Its almost identical inside.... good food and decent prices.

[dogbo]

I've seen them advertise live music a couple times. Did they add a stage area?

[dogbo]

I can’t help but notice all the neon beer signs are gone in the windows for Fanatics (the bar/grill for All-Play). Are they trying to go more family friendly or is it closed? I haven’t been in there for awhile, so I have no idea. I realize this must be a slow period given no Iowa Energy or Iowa Barnstormers seasons are currently taking place….also, this isn’t exactly concert season.

If they are closed, I’ll go on record again saying someone needs to get their act together and do some serious updating to the building’s façade. Even adding a patio would do wonders to the curb appeal to this place. Hundreds of cars enter downtown coming in on 3rd ST (and pretty soon foot traffic is going to increase from the riverwalk) , but there is absolutely nothing to make any of them give pause to this place and say…hummm…we should stop there for a drink/bite to eat.

[Young DSM Social Club]

I agree with that! The building looks like a 70s office building, which I think it was ... zero curb appeal.

Location is ideal, and it even has some parking.

Would be an easy property to make better simply because so much already invested on the inside (bathrooms, things like a grease trap, etc., etc.)

[wildbill]

Per their website, via their Twitter:

So long Fanatics, Helllloooo remodeling phase! Don't worry, our arcade, laser tag, laser maze and rock wall are all still open!
12:46 PM Jul 25th

[dogbo]

Per their website, via their Twitter:

So long Fanatics, Helllloooo remodeling phase! Don't worry, our arcade, laser tag, laser maze and rock wall are all still open!
12:46 PM Jul 25th

Well...if remodeling doesn't include the exterior in any way, shape, or form, I'm giving this news a big YAWN.....

[DMRyan]

They put a "remodeling' sign up like the Grand Piano Bistro did, but I think Fanatics is closed.

I'ver heard the owners of the building on working on landing a new restaurant though.

[southdm]

I took my kids down to do the lazer tag here about month ago and the employees told me they were shooting for an early December time frame for the remodel to done in the bar/restaurant.

[DMRyan]

The new restaurant proposed for the 2nd floor of AllPlay is the reopening of Buzzard Billy's. Plans call for a good-sized elevated patio addition cantelivered off of the 2nd floor, with more patio seating on the north side of the building.

I wish they could reopen near Court Avenue again, but this will do volumes for keeping a worthwhile tenant in this building and still have a restaurant/bar within easy distance to Wells Fargo Arena.

[dogbo]

^ Good news! I assume when you say "2nd floor" you're refering to the same space the former restaurants (Stadium and then Fanatics) were located? The reason I ask is that from the north, the restaurant is at street level so that is a bit confusing.

Glad to hear they're planning on some major outdoor seating!

Any estimated open date yet?

[Ingersoll1978]

Awesome news to hear Buzzard Billy's is returning!

[dogbo]

It is official!

http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/ ... -location/

[Mastermind]

Anyone know if this is open yet? I'd like to stop in before the Iowa vs. Creighton game Sunday

[DMRyan]

No, they're just getting ready to start work. They'll be doing additions onto the building, so this is more than just putting new paint on the walls and adding some cajun-themed decorations. It's a pretty decent overhaul of the second floor of the building.

[dogbo]

Noticed today they are painting some of the exterior brick. Nothing major, but helps make it look a bit less like an office building.

[dogbo]

A lot of (much needed!) work continues on the facade of this building. Still too early to tell what it will eventually look like, but I'm pretty sure it won't appear like an office building converted to a restaurant/entertainment venue (like it did previously). It was apparant to me that that previous owners didnt' have the vision (or the cash) to properly convert this building to another use....at least on the outside. Looks like the Full Court Press guys are working their magic once again.

[DMRyan]

At this point, I'm pulling for the building owner to paint the rest of the brick on the building to the red color, with the exception of the new banquet room. It looks much better than the drab original brick color on the building.

[SFO2DSM]

I saw an ad for another bar coming soon at this address and it wasn't Buzzard Billy's! Anyone else have the scoop?

At this point, I'm pulling for the building owner to paint the rest of the brick on the building to the red color, with the exception of the new banquet room. It looks much better than the drab original brick color on the building.