A portion of the long closed Shop-N-Bag supermarket at the Timberline Shopping Center could see new life as a Monster Mini Golf Franchise, which has plans to open in the Woodbury-Glassboro Road location.
The Mantua Land Use Board last week approved a variance to operate the entertainment business, which will include indoor mini golf, redemption style arcade games, bowling, laser tag and spaces for birthday parties and events.
Monster Mini Golf now operates a successful location in Cherry Hill along Springdale Road in the same building which now has a Tesla service center at the front of it. 42Freeway first wrote about Monster Mini Golf Cherry Hill at their opening back in 2019.
The signature theme for the indoor miniature golf business is a darkened space were all of the features of the Miniature Golf area are created with neon glow paint… including the golf balls!
With the blackened walls, floor and ceiling, it creates a one-of-a-kind fun but spooky all-weather experience!
Monster Mini Golf – Mantua Destination Town
The new Mantua location would offer a fun family activity center to an area which has very few options in the area that I can think of.
Mantua could prove to be a very smart choice for Monster Golf for another reason, as the shopping center is located at the same intersection where a new entrance road is being created for the all new Edelman Fossil Museum, which is expected to open this year.
Rowan’s Edelman Fossil Museum has gained global attention for its under-development $73 million museum, which would likely pull customers and families in from all parts of the Country who would be looking for additional fun activities for the family during their visit.
For the planned Mantua location, the variance required was simply one related to a Township code which states no more than one principal dwelling or building shall be permitted on one lot. It was also stated this was a pre-existing condition (for the shopping center).
The application submitted to Mantua Township shows that it will be an 18,000 square foot entertainment facility, which is 40% of the former Shop N Bag space and adjoining connecting building, which in total was 45,000 square feet.
It appears Monster Golf will be located on the left portion of the former supermarket next to Del-Val Pools, in a segment with 64 feet of frontage, but will then wrap around in the back to utilize a secondary large building segment attached to the left backside of the building.
The application stated that this is a family entertainment establishment that will benefit the community, provide jobs, and won’t affect the current space in any way. Monster Golf expects it will also increase revenue for fellow tenants (based on new customer traffic).
It is expected that there will be no indoor cafe for Monster Golf which should also benefit area restaurants in the shopping center beyond.
When I visited last week I stopped at the famous Pal Joey’s for one of their signature hoagies! (Facebook)
Santini’s Pizzeria is also located in the shopping center and having a viral experience right now with the introduction of their Monday Only Pasta Bread Bowls which have been selling out! They also offer an all you can eat salad bar. (Facebook)
Mandarin Court Chinese is also located in the center, with a Wendy’s and Dunkin stores located in the front of the Shopping Center.
A Cloud 10 Car Wash was also approved about 18 months ago for the front of the shopping center. This would be the second cloud 10 car wash for mantua located about one mile from the prior.
Several years ago LIDL Grocery spent over $3 million for the empty parcel of land next to the shopping center, but then abandoned the project. Today it is listed for sale. It is my understanding that as part of that original sale to LIDL a deed restriction was placed on the Shopping Center restricting other Grocery stores from being developed at Timberline!
Links and Location
Monster Mini Golf – Mantua (Planned)
660 Woodbury-Glassboro Rd
Mantua NJ
Monster Mini Golf (Cherry Hill)