By JESSICA SIEFF
Niles Daily Star

With temperatures heating up and the school year winding down it’s prime time for those businesses that thrive on residents and visitors who are looking for the perfect blend of some good fun and the great outdoors.

And it just so happens that Niles is home to one local business offering just that.
‘It’s all about the weather’

For 17 years Patrick Mead has watched families and friends of all ages putt, swing and race their way through Hacker’s Golf and Games on South 11th Street in Niles.
The facility hosts a multitude of activities including mini golf, batting cages, go karts, an arcade and a driving range.

And the fun all comes down to the sun.

“When the weather is good, business is pretty good,” Mead said. “It’s all about the weather for us.”

Location is also a factor.

Hacker’s combines the opportunity to enjoy several outdoor sports and games without crossing the state line – and enjoys very little competition.

But it’s long standing prices, Mead said, also help make Hacker’s an affordable and enjoyable choice for those looking for something to do during those long summer days.
“We’ve had the prices the same for – I think it’s been about six or seven years,” he said.
In an unstable economy where luxuries took a big hit over the last couple of years, to remain steady and affordable seems to have done the business some good.

A run around the go kart track comes in at only $6.50 per ticket – the same as a late night movie ticket in some areas.

Adults can play 18 holes of miniature golf for just $6 and $4.50 for children 12 and under.

Though Mead said “there’s really not one (sport) that does better than the other,” the spring and summer time does see area baseball players filling up the batting cages.
In addition to affordable prices, Mead said Hacker’s also offers up coupons for seasonal deals like a special on miniature golf and go karts between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday all summer long.

Also an important factor in keeping the business successful is the staff that keep the games going.

“We’ve got good employees,” Mead said. “(It’s) just good, affordable fun.”

For more information or to check prices go online at
www.hackersgolfandgames.com.