NEWS: Former Yankee Candle Building Could Get New Slide Attraction
Williamsburg Planning Commission to consider permit for Slick City Action Park
Planning documents indicate that the former Yankee Candle building on Richmond Road may soon have a new tenant. An application for a special use permit (SUP) has been filed with the City of Williamsburg in order to operate Slick City Action Park, which is a slide-focused family entertainment center. The building was recently purchased by a Virginia-based bowling alley operator, who subsequently decided not to open the attraction and has been looking to fill the space since.
Slick City Action Park bills its attraction as “the world’s first indoor slide and air court park” on its website. Using a franchise business model, the company has opened 15 locations, while 29 are under construction with more planned. The company’s goal is to “[c]ombine proprietary, ‘We’ve gotta do that!’ attractions with an exceptional guest experience to inspire, engage and entertain thrill seekers of all ages.” Reporting by Brandy Centolanza for the Daily Press states that the company is also opening a location near Potomac Mills Mall in Northern Virginia.
The indoor attraction would offer a variety of play options, including slides such as the “Hyperloop” and “Tailspin.” The action park also offers parkour, climbing and acrobatics. Pricing for the attraction varies by location, but the cost is around $30 for a 60 minute pass at one of the closest locations in Ohio.
The building at 2200 Richmond Road was purchased by Uptown Alley, a bowling entertainment company based in Chester, Virginia. As reported by Centaloza, the company eventually backed away from their plans for the location, which would have included a bowling alley and mini-golf. At the time, the company’s leadership mentioned the possibility of finding another tenant for the spot, including Slick City. A website maintained by the Williamsburg Economic Development Department currently lists the property for sale for $6.25M.
Last year, the Williamsburg City Council unanimously approved $600K in tax rebates for the property owners, as reported by Wilford Kale for the Daily Press. At the time, Kale noted that a city spokesperson said the deal only applied to Uptown Alley’s original plans and would require new approval by the City Council to receive the incentives.
Given the City’s recent belt-tightening for the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which included delayed hiring for public safety, parks and rec, and public works, it’s unclear whether the tax rebate will be approved by the City again under new terms. Examples of other budget cuts include $500K for art funding on the African American Heritage Trail, $200K for the restoration of the Waller Mill bike trail, and $300K less for police vehicles.
The Williamsburg Planning Commission is set to hold a public hearing concerning the application for the SUP at 3:30PM on June 18, 2025 in the Stryker Center at 412 N. Boundary St.
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