BounceU opens in Forks Township

BounceU is here.

After weeks of anticipation, the birthday party entertainment destination opened its third location in the Lehigh Valley Sunday to the delight of hundreds who brought their children to bounce around for donating school supplies.

The business was also the first to open in the brand new .

"This shopping center, there's nothing like it in the Lehigh Valley. It's a terrific asset for Forks Township," said Mike Principato, owner of the three BounceU sites.

Several customers seemed to agree.

McKenzie Laubach of Phillipsburg used to bring her son and daughter to BounceU's Bethlehem Township location. Now the commute is easier.

"This is a lot closer," she said. "It's nice and clean. And the kids are excited."

Linda Drey of Palmer Township brought her granddaughter to the open house.

"This is great for the area and for ," Drey said.

Principato said the business will employ about 30 people, hold private parties and be open to the public, in the beginning, from Friday-Sunday.

He said he will fill 125 bookbags with school supplies as part of BounceU's Bounce it Forward charity program to donate to foster children in the Lehigh Valley.

The site features a red stadium with slides and such while the purple stadium offers strobe lights allowing kids to glow in the dark as they bounce on things.

"It's fun," said Laurel Sanes, 21, who has worked for BounceU for six years. "It's nice that we can bring in people and build a tight community here."