Bringing kids on shopping trips is not always a pleasant experience. The youngsters can get cranky and bored, which causes the day to be cut short. Patricia Graham was pleased to find respite from shopping with her grandchildren at 808 Bounce at Pearlridge Center Uptown.

“;I was so surprised to find this place. My granddaughter is having a ball,”; Graham said. “;It's a nice change of pace for them when you're walking around the mall shopping. It's a great idea.”;

Dozens of children bounced while making their way down the 18-foot slide and maneuvered through the obstacle course. Their parents, in the meanwhile, sat in the nearby waiting area reading books, working on projects or just taking a break.

808 Bounce is an indoor play facility that houses brightly colored inflatable bouncers, slides and miniature obstacle courses designed for ages 2 to 12. An all-day pass costs $8 and can be used throughout the day as breaks for the kids are needed. Monthly passes are also available for $49. (Call 366-6055 for more information.)

Owners Paul and Emmanuelle Sailor opened the facility last month. They had already established a popular play area at Windward Mall last November.

“;Originally we were asked to set up something for the holiday season at Windward Mall,”; said Paul. “;It was successful right away. We had 60 kids in the first few hours.”;

PAUL SAILOR claims that he has always entertained entrepreneurial ideas, even as a farm kid growing up in Missouri: “;I always knew I wanted to open my own business.”;

After returning home from a two-year deployment to Iraq, it seemed like good timing. Paul left his position as a Marine helicopter mechanic and, being on inactive reserve status, had time to pursue some of his business ideas.

“;I'd read 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad,' and the ideas made sense. At first I started a mobile oil change business that was maintained for 18 months. We just closed that last month,”; he said. Paul obtained a degree in business at Hawaii Pacific University. His wife, Emmanuelle, helps on the publicity side, utilizing her degree in advertising and marketing.

The couple couldn't keep up with both businesses and decided to focus on the entertainment-related bouncer industry.

“;The indoor fun centers are popular. Both parents and children are thrilled to have a safe play area in a comfortable setting,”; added Paul. Computers were installed at the Pearlridge location for parents to access free of charge. People choosing to bring their own laptops can use the establishment's complimentary wi-fi service.

“;Even though the economy is bad, the entertainment industry is still big,”; Emmanuelle added. “;People tweet and write personal blogs about our services, so that really helps.

“;Customer service is very important to us. We want people to have a good experience. Customers can bring in their own food and drinks, and people really like that.”;

The bouncers are rotated out, so it keeps things fresh, especially for repeat visitors. “;We do about a dozen deliveries a weekend for outside parties,”; Paul said. “;It's tougher to manage than the store but provides a larger profit margin.”;

The couple hopes to expand their business by adding locations on the neighbor islands and possibly back in his hometown of Savannah, Mo. “;We've also considered opening locales for adults,”; he said, “;so workplaces and churches could use the facility for a bonding experience.”;