Citrus Park mall go-kart, arcade center opening in May

A two-story entertainment center that took over a former Sears department store is close to opening.

Elev8 announced it will open in early May at Citrus Park Town Center mall, according to a news release. The 125,000-square-foot entertainment center will include retro arcade games, bowling, indoor go-karts, a mini-golf course, laser tag, ax-throwing and dining.

It will also have an outdoor beer garden.

This will be Elev8′s second location after opening in Orlando in 2021. The strategy of its parent company, PrimeTime Amusements, is to redevelop empty spaces in shopping malls like the Citrus Park Sears, which closed in 2018, and focus on adding more experiential concepts to bring people back to malls.

“We’re reimagining and reenergizing these shopping centers, making them into spaces that the entire community can look forward to, from families to couples looking for a date night,” said David Goldfarb, president and founder of PrimeTime Amusements, in a statement.

South Florida-based PrimeTime Amusements bought the former Sears in December 2019 for $5.5 million, according to property records.