You would be hard pressed to find someone, anyone really, who doesn’t acknowledge that they carry a bit of stress or anxiety in their life. Family, finances, work, children, the never-ending list of obligations and to-dos can get a bit overwhelming, especially around the holidays. So why not explore a new avenue of stress relief? Break something!
Written By Karin Fabry-Cushenbery
Sure, we are all taught it’s a big no-no to purposefully break things from the time we are toddlers, but if you ask Crystal and Travis Kinsey, owners of the newly opened Smash Lab in Ocala, they say it’s the best form of stress relief, not to mention fun!
After experiencing a rage room in Orlando, the duo decided to bring the concept to Ocala.
Photo by Maven Photo + Film
“We knew Ocala could use more entertainment options, and we wanted to think a bit outside the box,” says Co-Owner Crystal Kinsey. “All ages are welcome, and we provide a controlled, safe environment. Everyone from young children to older adults enjoy the rooms. We have a lot of families, singles, couples and even corporate team-building events. Birthday parties are also very popular.”
Located in the same plaza as the Ocala Police Department headquarters on Pine Avenue, the Smash Lab offers guests a place to release stress, expend some energy and work up a sweat. Walking in you’ll get an industrial, grungy street vibe. The Kinsey’s five children, ranging in age from 17 to 28, help run the family-owned business, and they each provided the ambiance by adding graffiti to the walls.
The lab offers 10-, 15- and 20-minute sessions where groups enter one of three rooms and literally smash things. Travis works with auctions and estate sales to keep their storage areas, including an off-site 3,000-square-foot storage facility, filled to the brim with breakables.
“Plates, dinnerware, vases, figurines, TVs, monitors, computers, DVD players—if it’s breakable and you can hit it, we probably have it,” says Travis. “For larger groups, we even have small furniture pieces.”
Closed-toe shoes are a must when visiting the Lab, but all other protective gear, including coverall suits, gloves and face protection, will be provided for you. Also provided is a variety of tools to help you get the rage out.
“Sledgehammers, baseball bats, crowbars, small hammers, we have it all,” says Travis. “Most people tend to lean toward the bats, though.”
The Kinseys are already adding on to the Smash Lab, with construction underway on a glow paint room.
“The room will feature blacklights, and guests will be able to sling paint in a variety of ways, from balloons and water guns to paintbrushes and more,” says Travis. “Then, you get to take your canvas home with you.”
Initially, people may be a bit reserved in the rooms, but once they get going, they really get going. Twenty minutes may not seem like a long time, but Travis assures you it’s a workout and a true release.
“People are always surprised how tired they are when they are done with their session,” laughs Travis. “The best part, though, is that you get to make the mess, and we clean it all up for you.”
Walk-in sessions are available, but for groups larger than five or six, reservations are recommended. You can call the Lab or use the website to secure your space.
“It really is a lot of fun and something unique and different to do,” says Crystal. “You just have to experience it for yourself.”
Smash Lab of Ocala
(352) 844-3861
Closed Monday and Tuesday
Wednesday and Thursday, 1-9pm
Friday, 1-11pm
Saturday, 11am-11pm
Sunday, 12-8pm