Whether you are a small child or an older retired person, we all have one thing in common, and that is at some point in our lives, we have been to a gaming arcade and found frolic and entertainment in games like pinball, ping-pong, bowling, and mini-golf. While the contemporary arcade gaming scene began in the 1930s with the first few coin-operated pinball machines, other games, particularly mini-golf or putt-putt, planted their roots as far back as 1827 in Scotland.
As the decades passed and technology evolved, the games kept getting better and the levels of human engagement increased multifold leading to the creation of an entire industry of family entertainment providers. Today, we have thousands of family entertainment brands throughout the world, but one of them has emerged as the pinnacle in family entertainment for people of all age groups due to its distinctive ambiance and engaging services.
On the mission to provide every guest – whether they’re 5 or 95 – the most unique, affordable, engaging, and fun family entertainment options, Monster Mini Golf, has revolutionized the industry with their black-light, monster-themed entertainment zones. Founded in 2004 and spearheaded by CEO, Christina Vitagliano, Monster Mini Golf now operates out of more than 30 locations throughout the United States and Canada.
The Monster Awakens
“The concept of Monster Mini Golf began in 2003. I was looking to create a business with a small list of requirements; the concept had to cost less than the movies, be easily managed, require little to no inventory, and most importantly, it had to be different and uniquely fun,” says Christina. She had noticed over the years that there were no entertainment options, other than the movies, for groups and families. Furthermore, Christina resides in North-East Connecticut, where the weather is pleasant only 90 days a year.
With no cost-effective year-round family entertainment avenues, Christina set her eyes on mini-golf as the bridge to affordable family entertainment. She wanted her community to enjoy her services year-long and did not want them to be limited to just 3 months a year. Thus, an indoor business model was the way to go. She built the first Monster Mini Golf herself in an old beat-up mill, making the monsters with whatever she could cut and mold. When asked why monsters, Christina replies “Monsters can be anything that one creates from one’s own imagination. And honestly…Monsters were affordable.” So, with a handful of working capital and the desire to generate engaging, happy, and affordable entertainment, the first Monster Mini Golf teed off.