Every time we sink into the comfy seats at the AMC Headquarters 10, and fight to stay awake for two hours, we fantasize: Wouldn’t it be great to skip the movie entirely, and just go to a sleep pod for a refreshing power nap?
Well, Dave Walters and his partners have gone one better.
The owner of Morristown’s SmartWorld Coffee officially opened Urban Renew on Saturday, inside the former Elephant’s Nose pet shop at 59 South St.
You get your power nap, in a comfy chair–that also massages you. Your private pod is calm, with video images of waves lapping on a beach, New Age music and pleasant aromas.
When we first reported this plan, we wondered about it. Relax. Revive. Rejuvenate. Really?
But Walters and partners Kathryn and Jeff Oram and former Miss New Jersey Olivia DeMattio may be onto something here.
“They should set these up along the interstate!” said John Donato, after spending 15 minutes in one of Urban Renew’s five chairs.
He had driven two hours from Long Island to visit friends here, and said the robotic respite primed him for another go at the L.I.E.
Mayor Tim Dougherty and First Lady Mary Dougherty were on hand for the ribbon cutting. The Mayor said he was sufficiently impressed to buy a bunch of holiday gift certificates (30 minutes for $15.95), while Mary Dougherty, who heads the Morristown Women in Business network, said she enjoys lunchtime visits.
“You can come and get refreshed, then move on with your day,” she said.
We needed a catnap on Friday, prior to a musical performance. So we gave Urban Renew a try.
For the first couple of minutes, as the chair gently pummels you from head to toe, you must set aside your Stephen King fears (the next Christine ?) and trust the machine.
Pretty soon, it’s lights out. In a good way.
The musical gig went well on Friday night. Now, we are envisioning Geico-style commercials:
Warden: Good news, Spike. The Governor has stayed your execution.
Prisoner: Give me the chair! Give me the chair!
Cut to Spike, blissfully dozing off in Relaxation Room 5.
