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Planning commission approves indoor entertainment center at 813 W. Constance Road with restricted hours
Summary
The Suffolk City Planning Commission voted to approve a conditional use permit for an indoor amusement and live-entertainment center at 813 West Constance Road, rejecting the applicant’s request for later weekend closing hours and adopting staff-recommended time limits and conditions.
The Suffolk City Planning Commission on a unanimous vote approved Conditional Use Permit CUP20250008 to allow an indoor amusement, entertainment and recreation center in Suites B and C at 813 West Constance Road.
Staff planner Shannon Wolfe recommended approval, saying the request “satisfies the criteria set forth in section 31‑3‑06 and 31‑4‑06 of the Unified Development Ordinance,” and presented conditions limiting hours of operation. The applicant, Dwight James, asked the commission to permit 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday closing hours; staff and the commission adopted earlier closing times in the motion.
The proposed facility would include a skating rink, trampolines and arcade space and would operate with roughly 10 employees, including security and floor staff. The applicant told the commission the venue would host DJs, theme nights, birthday parties and private rentals and planned to serve bottled alcoholic beverages in a designated area subject to Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control licensing. James said extended weekend hours were crucial to the business model and to providing “a positive, supervised environment” for youth and families.
Staff described the site as part of the Suffolk West Plaza Shopping Center, noted Suites B and C formerly housed Sluggers batting cages, and said the proposed use is not expected to increase traffic or impede orderly development of the surrounding area. Staff also recommended the hours of operation be limited to Sunday–Thursday 9 a.m.–11 p.m. and Friday–Saturday 9 a.m.–midnight to align with similar live-entertainment uses downtown.
After public comment in support from residents including Jevon Smallwood and Yvette Massey, a motion to approve the CUP with staff’s conditions carried 7–0. The commission recorded that the item will be forwarded to City Council with a recommendation for approval at its July 16 meeting.
The approval includes the conditions in the staff report; the applicant must comply with applicable state regulations for alcohol service and obtain the necessary Virginia ABC license before serving alcohol.
