Pump It Up Expects to Close Doors

Editor's note, 4:30 p.m.: An earlier version of this story reported incorrect information that Pump It Up had already closed. An updated version of the story follows:

in Cedarhurst Plaza has until April 30 to catch up on its rent before the owners are forced to shutter the entertainment center, according to owner Lisalynn Mauriello.

After operating the children’s play zone in Cedarhurst for two and a half years, Mauriello has watched her business begin to struggle over the course of just a few months, and is now prepared to watch it close.

“Business has slowed down, and with Bounce U in Oceanside opening up, that took away a lot of business,” Mauriello said. “I think we're going to close doors at the end of April.” 

Rob Goldfeder, a  real estate agent responsible for the property, said he believes the business will close because the owners didn’t know how to operate in Cedarhurst. 

“The tenant didn’t reach out to the temples, the summer camps and the schools, and you need to do all that in this town,” he said. “They didn’t do the business they should have.”

Today, Goldfeder is begining to look for someone to occupy the storefront at 136 Washington Ave., noting its direct visibility of Central Avenue and nearby Cedarhurst LIRR station.

Recently equipped with all new utilities including new bathrooms, the building also has 18-foot-high ceilings and 5,800 square feet of wide open space with an asking price of around $139,000 a year. 

“There is very perfect visibility from Washington Avenue, and you could put a sign out there and get good exposure,” Goldfeder said. “The parking in Cedarhurst is traditionally poor, but it’s in the parking lot, which has had good parking.”

Although the building has been occupied by retail businesses such as Bed Bath and Beyond, Annie Sez and Marty Shoes, Goldfeder explained the space will provide room for a number of other possibilities.

“It’s a good spot for a gym, good spot for a discounter and very possibly a good spot for something like a karate studio,” Goldfeder said. “It is probably even a good spot for home furnishings as well.”

Andrew Kahn, owner of Peaceful Presence Yoga and Massage Studio, has been doing business in Cedarhurst for about five years and also utilizes the Cedarhurst Center parking lot.

“Be aware that parking is very difficult on Thursday or Friday, and you may not find parking in the Gourmet Glatt parking lot,” he said.

Kahn agreed with Goldfeder, explaining that a large part of operating a successful business in Cedarhurst in particular is learning how to cater to the neighborhood.

“To stay in business, I have to tailor to what I’m doing to really serve the Orthodox community, even though I was not brought up Orthodox myself,” Kahn said. “If you want to thrive here, you have to seriously consider serving the Orthodox community.”