There’s something indescribable about the wave of nostalgia that bombards your senses when you walk into an old-school arcade. Maybe you head straight for the claw machines, maybe you meander towards the soda fountain, or maybe you’ve got your sights set on the glowing lights of the basketball game.
If you’re anything like Jasmine Green, the owner and founder of Hoop Jacksonville, there’s no better feeling than the swish and flick of a basketball making it through the hoop — especially if it comes from an arcade-style game.
“We just started thinking, ‘How can we take our excitement for arcade-style basketball games and bring that experience to community events, birthday parties, festivals and even corporate settings?’” Green said, speaking on her business’ humble beginnings.
Hoop Jacksonville is an experience-style business that brings a full-sized trailer containing four arcade-style basketball hoop games to any event, party or community gathering in Northeast Florida.
The basketball games may inspire a nostalgic feeling, but the hoops are definitely from the 21st century, decked out with digital scoring and rounds that increase in difficulty depending on how many points a player scores. The trailer itself is equipped with a Bluetooth speaker, a fog machine and disco lights, making it the perfect addition for celebrations day or night.
“We’ve had overwhelmingly positive support from the community,” Green said, looking back as Hoop Jacksonville prepares to celebrate one whole year in business.
The idea sprang not only from Green’s lifelong, familial love of basketball, but from the observation that there was nothing else like this on the market. Most community events she attended were filled with the same entertainment options, and she knew she could come up with something more unique.
Hoop Jacksonville is suitable for players of any age and any skill level, with smaller hoops for the littles and full-sized hoops for adults. The trailer can be rented and dropped off at any number of events, from birthday parties and bachelor parties to HOA events and church gatherings.
The business serves both St. Johns and Duval counties, though it’s traveled as far as Tallahassee for bookings in the past. Green said that St. Johns County School District is a regular customer, renting her trailer for fundraisers, PTA meetings and even teacher appreciation.
“It’s for everybody, and that’s something we’re super proud of,” she said. “The most rewarding part is reaching a diverse community. Basketball can be a little intimidating, but this arcade-style game is for everyone. It’s for the moms that love to read; it’s for the boys that love to play with Legos, but hey — they’re also competitive people.”
Looking ahead, Green says Hoop Jacksonville is hoping to purchase a second trailer with basketball hoops, as their current roster is so jam-packed with events that they’ve had to turn customers down. In the meantime, they’ll continue bringing basketball to the community in their own fun, accessible way.
