General Manager Stefan Cox said Spare Time owner Mike Emmon was looking for a second Central Texas city to expand into, and Pflugerville was a compelling choice as a rapidly growing community.
“In our research, [Pflugerville] popped up as a great potential location, and it’s definitely turned out to be that way,” Cox said.
The Pflugerville location has steadily added new attractions in its seven years in business. Today, the location has 22 bowling lanes, a two-story laser tag arena and an arcade with around 65 games.
Earlier this year, Spare Time added its newest attraction, an ax-throwing loft with digitally projected targets called Hatchet Alley.
“[Ax throwing] has really kind of evolved,” Cox said. “With the projected targets, other than regular axe throwing … you can play tic-tac-toe or Connect Four and things like that.”
Aside from the array of activities available, Spare Time also has a full bar and kitchen. Previously the bar and kitchen only served guests at Spare Time, but Cox said in recent years, Spare Time has branched out into catering outside events.
“We’ve always done our own internal catering, but coming out of the pandemic we said, ‘Hey, how can we come out of this better and stronger?’ and we thought that the food side of the business … was something we usually get good comments on,” Cox said.
Spare Time in Temple recently added several outdoor attractions such as a ropes course and batting cages. Cox said the Pflugerville location is weighing a number of future projects and upgrades, but it is too early to say what will actually happen.
“I can’t promise anything, but we’re always looking to grow, whether that’s just at our location or additional locations,” Cox said.
However, Cox said expansions come second to making sure guests at Spare Time are accommodated and keeping the environment family-friendly.
“We encourage the staff to be fun and friendly … and anticipate needs,” Cox said. “You know, if a family comes in with young children, we’re proactive in making sure we get them a lightweight bowling ball and stuff like that.”
Spare Time Texas
1724 FM 685, Pflugerville
512-647-1700
www.sparetimetexas.com
Hours: Mon.-Thu. 11 a.m.-midnight, Fri. 11 a.m.-1 a.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-1 a.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-midnight
