• Results Performance, a new entertainment venue offering rock climbing, mini golf, batting cages, and athletic training, has opened in Brunswick Square Mall.
• Owner Jon Gallo aims to provide affordable, family-friendly entertainment options, addressing a community need.
• The mall's redevelopment focuses on recreation and entertainment as part of a larger plan to revitalize the Route 18 corridor.

EAST BRUNSWICK – Paving the way for a new kind of fun at the mall, Jon Gallo recently opened Results Performance at the Brunswick Square Mall, a new spot offering rock climbing, miniature golf and batting cages as well as athletic performance programming for a variety of sports and athletes of all ages.

Gallo, who also owns Results Boxing and Fitness and The Axeceptional Experience at the mall, sees recreation and activity as a successful and much-needed focus for the mall setting.

"I saw that the mall was changing," said Gallo, who opened Results five years ago and The Axeceptional Experience in January. "I have the gym in here, and there are a lot of other places that have opened that are more service-oriented, more entertainment-based, where we are bringing people to us. I thought that the town itself could use something like this, and I thought it would be a nice addition for the mall."

The township and mall owners Paramount Realty have both acknowledged their vision for the redevelopment of the mall is one of recreation, entertainment, and services. In March, the East Brunswick Township Council designated Brunswick Square Mall and neighboring properties as a condemnation redevelopment area.

"The area is under redevelopment and there is a greater plan to redefine the retail and entertainment at the mall," Cohen said recently. "We are certain that when announced, folks will be very happy."

Originally, Results Performance’s priority was solely athletic performance and injury prevention, but Gallo and co-owner Alex Baril knew they had additional unused space in the facility. Affordable recreation also is a need in the community, he said.

"I thought we should do some fun amusement activities to continue on with the axe throwing and boxing," Gallo said. "Activities that people can come enjoy and participate in as friends, as family. They can make memories, and have a good time, and spend the night locally that won't cost a fortune. It's a very simple, very affordable, nice, local night out to have some fun. The opportunity to do something where it's affordable and fun − there's not too many places out there like that. And that's really what we're all really looking for."

Noting that there are no other batting cages facilities in the area, the co-owners knew they would be an attraction. They built a nine-hole mini golf course and purchased a large virtual interactive rock-climbing wall.

Gallo and his 10-year-old daughter just did the batting cages together for the first time. That memorable experience is one he wishes others to have.

"She never did batting cages before," he said. "I told her how to bat and was feeding the balls − she was doing great. And we had a great time. I played semi-pro baseball, so I'm very passionate about it, and to do the batting cages with my daughter, that was a great experience"