Markeshia Ricks Photo
Shopping the newest outpost of Jordan’s Furniture will be like stepping into the world’s largest playground with a splash of Las Vegas showmanship.
The chain’s president and CEO, Eliot Tatelman, means the splash part literally.
Tatelman explained Wednesday at an event at the evolving home of what will be the New Haven store at 40 Sargent Drive, focused on the “entertainment” part of the soon-to-open big-box retail outlet.
The store will feature what is being called simply “It.” With two, 60-foot high ropes courses and four, 200-foot-long zip line rigs, Tatelman, ever the showman, called “It” the “world’s largest indoor adventure ropes course.”
“It” also features a water show that he said has 1,000 water nozzles hundreds of lights, all that will be choreographed to more than 150 different songs. The light and sound of the water show was created by Clair Solutions, the same company that designed light shows for Radio City Music Hall, the Grand Ol’ Opry and the Michael Jackson tour.
“Two of the zip lines are on top of each other,” Tatelman said. “Both of them go over the water show. The bottom zip line is right where the water comes up. You will get wet — if you want. That’s up to you, and it depends upon when the music is playing.”
If you personally don’t want to get wet, or fly through the air on a harness, Tatelman said you can just enjoy the show.
The New Haven store, which is slated to open Dec. 11 at 5 p.m., will be the only one in the chain’s line in Connecticut. Tatelman is counting on the furniture and the uniqueness of the store’s concept to draw people not only from around the state but from throughout the reason to shop and have fun.
A small taste of the water show at Jordan’s Furniture.
Jordan’s Furniture, which has stores in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, is known for not just furniture, but attractions like IMAX 3‑D theaters and a “town” made out of jelly beans.
“Behind this wall is door with a big opening to ‘It,’” he said. “It just so happens that you have to walk through this beautiful stream of furniture to get to ‘It.’ Funny how that happens.”
The store is expected to bring between 200 and 250 jobs to the city. “I think it’s very exciting,” Mayor Toni Harp said Wednesday. “It’s certainly unique. I’m sure that when people see it they’ll say it’s awesome, and I know everybody probably in Connecticut has got to come at least one time. It’s going to be great for the city and great for the region.”
Tatelman also is looking for a retail partner to rent out two floors of the 200,000 square-foot former home to the New Haven Register. He said the company is looking for stores that complement the furniture business.
In addition to all the opportunities to get in touch with your inner Spiderman, you can also enjoy pizza, salads and ice cream, though not local varieties. The offerings won’t be from familiar local brands like Pepe’s or Ashley’s. Blaze Pizza is out of California; the ice cream will be trucked in from Massachusetts.
When asked why he didn’t make a deal with a local pizza maker or ice creamery, Tatelman said that he didn’t think any of the local pizzerias would be willing to give it a go. He said he reached out to one local restaurant that gave him a quick no.
“They don’t want to open a mile and a half from their restaurants,” he said of local favorites like Pepe’s and Sally’s. But he said pizza and ice cream are family-friendly and the right price.
“You’re going to see something that has never been done before,” he said. “I’m sure after you’ve seen it, you’re going to want to come back and do it, or if you don’t want to do it, you’re going to want to come back with friends who want to do it. It is something that has never been done before and is very unique and different.”