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Ex-NFL star paves the way for a new Launch site in Howard Beach

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Former NFL star Ty Law (at left) is proving to be just as successful as a businessman as he was on the gridiron. Photo: Facebook

Three-time Super Bowl champion Ty Law continues to make inroads in his plan to create new opportunities for youngsters to have clean, healthy fun, as he oversaw a Friday, Nov. 30 ribbon-cutting ceremony at his newest Launch Trampoline Park site in Howard Beach.

“When I grew up, we went outside to play. When the street lights came on, you came inside. All the kids do now is they’re on their cells phones or playing video games,” Law told The Wave when detailing how his 23 entertainment facilities are filling a necessary gap in offering today’s youth constructive leisure alternatives.

Located in the old Staples building at 163-54 Cross Bay Blvd, the new Howard Beach indoor park features a plethora of activities for adventure seekers, including dodgeball courts, foam pits, slam-dunk basketball, rock walls and giant jumping surfaces. Launch also houses several amenities for those who prefer to stay grounded, such as: arcades, Pop-A-Shot, skee-ball, air hockey, WiFi and a large dining area.

In addition to serving as a go-to spot for children’s birthday parties, Launch also has an array of attractions for the adult crowd, where the wide-open play areas are often the site of office outings.

Fresh off a 15-year career as a premiere cornerback in the NFL, Law, as one can imagine, had a varied slew of business proposals he considered before hopping on board with Rhode Island native Rob Arnold in founding Launch.

“I said, ‘You know, I’m going to go for it. So, I scrapped my other plans. There was one company out there that was closest to what we wanted to do, but they weren’t that big themselves. But we had our own vision,” said the 44-year-old entrepreneur, who was recently inducted into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame.

Through his personal ties in the Boston area, Law used the New England region for his first two Launch parks in 2012 and currently has 12 more chains in development, along with the 23 that are already open for business.

But while Law employs the same unyielding competitiveness in striving for incremental growth, he affords franchisees a modicum of wiggle room when it comes to them offering their own ideas in terms what may work in their specific market.

“Everyone has direct access to the owners of the company. It’s been an amazing venture so far. But at the same time, this is a business; it has to be run and operated a certain way. You have to have the right staff. You have to be on-point with everything customer service-wise.”

Helping Law in establishing a South Queens presence is indeed an individual who fits the bill of someone who not only possesses the capital, but the real-life retail experienced to get things off the ground.

Launch co-founder Ty Law and his associates at a Howard Beach ribbon-cutting ceremony. Photo by Ralph Mancini

Yemen-born Sadeq Asaedi brings a wealth of managerial skills to the equation as someone who has owned and operated multiple discount shops and delis in the New York City area. Along with his brother and business partner Sammy, Asaedi is enthusiastic about giving local parents a fun, convenient and safe entertainment destination for the entire family to revel in.

Another key component to the operation is George Yacoub, who as general manager, noted the many safety precautions he makes his staff familiar with to ensure that customers walk out with great memories of their visit.

In addition to training employees on court monitoring and CPR, Yacoub imparts tips on being able to anticipate potential issues before they happen. Launch also has strict guidelines that are posted throughout the play area, which instruct customers to bend their knees to stop their elevation, keep their traction socks on at all times, as well as adviisng them to bounce in the middle of the trampoline.

In the moments approaching the official ribbon-cutting, Law revealed his biggest source of satisfaction in spearheading the Launch movement in several U.S. territories. “It’s about giving opportunities…to kids off the street because it’s rough out there. I feel so great about that because you’re talking about every location has 50 employees, part-time, but it’s keeping people busy. It’s a lot better than flipping burgers and making fries. People want to come in here and feel the music and the employees have a good time.”

Whether or not No. 24 ever makes it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he’s certainly seems to be putting together an MVP resume off the field in the eyes of many trampoline enthusiasts.

 

The bright colors and ample spaces of Launch have helped make it a popular entertainmant venue for adults and children alike. Photo by Ralph Mancini

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