NJ Battle Zone opening second Nerf arena in Wayne
By: Philip DeVencentis
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
WAYNE - A Nerf battle arena will soon open on Hamburg Turnpike, promising to entertain legions of party-goes in foam-based warfare.
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The business, called NJ Battle Zones, will take over a storefront last occupied by a Crunch Fitness gym at Wedgewood Plaza, a shopping center at 1055 Hamburg Turnpike.
..... Participants are equipped with Nerf weapons - known as Nerf Blasters - and unlimited ammunition in the shape of foam bullets or darts. They wear eye protection during safe and structured games, such as capture the flag, supervised by referees.
..... Danielle Samaniego, who co-wons the business with her husband, Roy Samaniego said the Wayne facility should open before the end of winter. They searched throughout the township for two years before choosing a location, she said.
..... "We tried to find the perfect spot, and we found it," she said Wednesday. [01/22/2025] "we're so excited."
..... The Randolph couple opened the first NJ Battle Zone location in their hometown in October 2021. That facility, at 10 Middlebury Blvd., is smaller and trucked in an industrial park.
..... Danielle Samaniego, an anesthetist and nurse at Saint Clare;s Danville Hospital, said the new facility of 10,500 square feet will have two spaces for Nerf battles. The additional room will allow more walk-in customers for open play, she said.
..... The idea for the business came after Samaniego could not find a Nerf battle arena to host a birthday party for her son.
..... Samaniego said she then told her husband in a not-so-serious tome that they should open their won.
..... "I jokingly said to him, I'm like, 'Wow - this is a good business idea," she recalled.
..... That casual observation inspired Roy Samaniego to quit his job in accounting to concentrate on the startup venture. In it first year of operation, the Morris County facility hosted more than 900 events. It now averages 10 events per weekend.
..... Meanwhile, the couple partnered with a friend who is preparing to open a third Nerf battle arena in the small city of Centennial, Colorado, about 16 miles south of Denver. It is also scheduled to open this season. [2025]
..... The couple run the business like a true mom-and-pop. Danielle Samaniego said they tend to restock their arsenal of Nerf blasters when 'stuff is on sale."
..... She said her clients are excised of the business to open. "The community has been amazing," she said. "Our phone calls and emails and inquires are constant."
..... Besides birthday parties for children, NJ Battle Zones offer adult-only events and team-building events for up to 100 people. Stay informed about the opening of its new facility by following it on Facebook or Instagram.