Discovery Zone: Difference between revisions
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'''Discovery Zone''' (or '''DZ''' for short) was a chain of entertainment facilities featuring games and elaborate indoor mazes designed for young children, including [[slide]]s, climbing play structures and [[ball pit]]s. The chain was founded by '''Ronald Matsch''', [[Jim Jorgensen]] and '''Dr. David Schoenstadt''' in [[1989]]. The first store was opened in [[Lenexa, Kansas]] in January of 1990. An early investor and vocal supporter of the company was tennis player [[Billie Jean King]].<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE1DE143AF930A15752C0A967958260 ''New York Times''- "Chronicle" January 23, 1991]</ref> |
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Other places similar to Discovery Zone include [[Chuck E. Cheese's]] and [[Wonder Camp]] (a chain which closed in [[1997]]). [[McDonald's]] started a similar chain called '''Leaps and Bounds''' which merged into Discovery Zone in 1994. |
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==IPO and Merger== |
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Discovery Zone completed a successful IPO in June of 1993 (led by '''Chris Bellios''') and '''Ian Kitchens''' raising over $50 million. In 1994, Discovery Zone merged its operations with [[Blockbuster Video]] (and its parent, [[Viacom]]). |
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==Bankruptcy== |
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Stretched thin by expansion, changes in management tried to save the company, however (under Viacom's control) Discovery Zone filed for bankruptcy on [[March 26]], [[1996]] in [[Wilmington, Delaware]] with debts of up to [[United States dollar|$366.2 million]].<ref>[http://select.nytimes.com/search/restricted/article?res=F30817FC395D0C728FDDAA0894DE494D81 ''New York Times''- "Diary" March 31, 1996]</ref> [[Chuck E. Cheese's]] parent company purchased 500 Discovery Zone locations and turned them into Chuck E. Cheese's facilities by the end of [[1999]]. |
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== References == |
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[[Category:Companies established in 1989]] |
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[[Category:1999 disestablishments]] |
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[[Category:Defunct companies of the United States]] |
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Revision as of 15:36, 8 December 2007
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2006) |
Discovery Zone (or DZ for short) was a chain of entertainment facilities featuring games and elaborate indoor mazes designed for young children, including slides, climbing play structures and ball pits. The chain was founded by Ronald Matsch, Jim Jorgensen and Dr. David Schoenstadt in 1989. The first store was opened in Lenexa, Kansas in January of 1990. An early investor and vocal supporter of the company was tennis player Billie Jean King.[1]
Other places similar to Discovery Zone include Chuck E. Cheese's and Wonder Camp (a chain which closed in 1997). McDonald's started a similar chain called Leaps and Bounds which merged into Discovery Zone in 1994.
IPO and Merger
Discovery Zone completed a successful IPO in June of 1993 (led by Chris Bellios) and Ian Kitchens raising over $50 million. In 1994, Discovery Zone merged its operations with Blockbuster Video (and its parent, Viacom).
Bankruptcy
Stretched thin by expansion, changes in management tried to save the company, however (under Viacom's control) Discovery Zone filed for bankruptcy on March 26, 1996 in Wilmington, Delaware with debts of up to $366.2 million.[2] Chuck E. Cheese's parent company purchased 500 Discovery Zone locations and turned them into Chuck E. Cheese's facilities by the end of 1999.
References
 | This article about a corporation or company involved in entertainment, leisure, sports and/or tourism is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
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