MIDDLEBURY — The gears will continue to whirl at the Whirlie’s World amusement center at 1232 Exchange St., Middlebury, thanks to the sale of the business to new owners Jeremy Griffin and Danielle Deroscher.
Current owners Peter and Naomi Neff confirmed the sale of business last Friday. It was in 2011 that the Neffs opened Whirlie’s World, which offers interactive video games, laser tag, bounce houses, arcade activities and snacks for kids and families.
The Neffs have been trying to sell the business during the past year without much luck. In January, Peter “Nerf” Neff announced Whirlie’s World would likely close this spring unless a buyer could be found. They cited declining business as a reason for their decision to move on.
Fortunately, the Neffs were recently approached by Griffin and Deroscher, who operate the Party Outfitters location in the Diamond Run Mall in Rutland. The store offers the same kind of family entertainment as Whirlie’s World, and also rents out bouncy houses, according to Neff.
“It’s a young couple and they are excited about taking over,” Neff said.
He believes the new owners will pump more energy and amenities into Whirlie’s World. Customers will see some new bouncy houses and arcade games by the time the change in ownership becomes official on June 1, according to Neff. In the meantime, the Neffs and the new buyers will spend April and May working together in the transition.
Reporter John Flowers is at [email protected].