One of the many advantages of working at one business journal for as long as I have is the opportunity to watch enterprises start and develop into operations that grow. To see that remarkable evolution occur over time.

I’ve enjoyed this opportunity on a number of occasions with a number of businesses, most recently in reporting about the 20th anniversary of the opening of Bananas Fun Park in Grand Junction. Wow. Twenty years. Don’t they go by in a blink?

I recall sitting down with Chris Burns and looking over his plans to construct an amusement park, one with a miniature golf course, go kart track, bumper boat lagoon, arcade and batting cages. Fast forward 20 years, and I talked with Chris once again about all that’s happened at Bananas over the past two decades.

It’s been a lot for a guy who believes if he builds it, customers will come. And they have. In droves.

Shortly after opening Bananas in 2004, Chris constructed and opened a laser tag arena. In 2009, Chris constructed the 40-foot-tall green and yellow pavilion that now houses what he calls an inflatapark. He made the biggest splash of all in 2017, though, in opening Coconut Cove and the largest water attraction in the region.

At the same time, Chris has continually updated and renovated the park. This year, that included renovations to the laser tag arena and bumper boat bay as well as a new 19th hole on the miniature golf course. That’s not to mention the arcade games he brings in to offer the newest and most popular technology.

The strategy has worked. Even as other entertainment venues in the Grand Valley have come and gone over the past two decades, Bananas Fun Park has remained in business and grown.

Whenever I interview the owners of businesses that have withstood the sometimes brutal tests of time, I ask them about what they consider the prerequisites of longevity. Every business and business owner is unique, of course. But some common themes emerge. Among them is a passion for the business and serving customers.

Chris told me he still enjoys coming to work. Even after 20 years. He still enjoys planting the flowers that festoon the landscape at the park and caring for them like it was part of his personal botanical gardens. He insists on maintaining a scrupulously clean facility and offering friendly services to the families who frequent the park. He takes pride in providing what he considers the newest and best fun at his fun park.

Bananas Fun Park isn’t the only local operation to have stayed in business for so long, of course. The Grand Valley is full of them, in fact. Stayed tuned for a story about Western Slope Iron & Supply, which is celebrating 50 years in operation.

We’re all fortunate to enjoy the benefits and stability, not to mention jobs,
long-term business operations bring to the economy.

And I’m fortunate to observe and report on these incredible ventures.

Phil Castle is editor of the Business Times. Reach him at (970) 424-5133 or phil@thebusinesstimes.com.