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He says rising interest rates following with classic mini golf, offering a fresh
the pandemic created another economic and innovative experience. It features a
challenge, noting that there were still 9-hole mini-golf course, where each hole
many people reluctant to congregate. is uniquely themed and equipped with
“So, all of a sudden interest rates start LED-lit, self-scoring golf balls. The system
coming down and guess what happens? tracks every player’s strokes in real
This tariffs thing goes up,” says Mark, time, eliminating manual scorekeeping
adding sensationalism in the media and making the game accessible and
didn’t help the situation. “The minute enjoyable for all ages and abilities.
talk about tariffs came out the effects “That’s a product we’ve been looking
were immediate in our sector. There is at for quite some time and felt it will
a segment of the population that has give the proper experience for people,”
financial concerns or challenges and as says Mark, who credits a team member
Canadians, we tend to be very frugal and at Bingemans for discovering the
cautiously optimistic. Whereas in the concept overseas which has since been
American market, they’re spenders.” customized to fit locally. “Players can
check in at the bar, while they enjoy a
He recalls a time when bus tour cocktail, their kids can enjoy a milkshake
operators from Michigan would or a smoothie, and they get to have some
bring visitors to the region to very funky food items. It’s really meant to
take in local attractions, including be that ‘drop in’ experience.”
Bingemans, noting the availability He says the venue will be an ideal location
now of more entertainment for special events, including birthdays
options has changed that. and office functions, and hopefully draw
“The competition for tourism experiences even more visitors to Bingemans.
has exponentially increased,” says Mark. “I think we underestimate the importance
Keeping that in mind, Bingemans has of the local market,” says Mark, referring
to what he calls the ‘Canada’s Wonderland
continually explored ways to provide
as many experiences as possible, even effect’. “Wonderland wants people to
visit once, maybe twice, a year. We want
offering several ‘drive thru’ events during
the pandemic which attracted many them coming here at least once or twice
a month to all our attractions, so it’s a
visitors from outside the region. It has different mentality.”
also expanded beyond its physical site
thanks to its Grand River Experiences, As a result, he says the price point to
which it offers in partnership with visit larger attractions such as Canada’s
Grand Experience Outdoor Adventure Wonderland, will be higher since those
Company, as well as its popular Kingpin operators must maximize the dollars
location in Cambridge with another set coming in since they know consumers
to open shortly in St. Catharines. Also, will not be coming back as frequently.
its K1 Speed indoor go-kart track in the “Whereas value and loyalty are very
Cambridge Centre which opened in March important in our markets because we
2024, has given a new lease on life to a need those consumers coming back
large vacant space at the mall that wasn’t supporting us,” says Mark. “We got our
being utilized. first taste of that during COVID because
“Businesses have to evolve, and I think we had a tremendous number of visitors
that’s one thing we really like about our from the lower GTA.”
business is that we can evolve,” says Mark, To ensure Bingemans remains ahead of
adding not all Bingemans’ amusement the curve, he relies on his team when
products will last forever. “We have some it comes to exploring new ideas and
products that have done well for us, options to make their experiences they
but we know they probably won’t stand offer even better, a trait he learned from
the test of time, so what’s the next best his father.
thing for us to put in there? That’s part
of our marketing dilemma. How do we “I always look to our younger team
get across effectively to everybody when members as they have various levels of
we’ve got new and different items.” seasoning and experience but offer a
different and contemporary point of view
One of Bingemans newest features is Putt that obviously we need,” says Mark.
Social. Located in the historic Tannery
District in Kitchener, Putt Social is Visit www.bingemans.com to learn more.
designed to blend advanced technology

www.cambridgechamber.com Summer 2025 31