Mesa, February 14, 2026
Childhood friends Tylor Hardy and Andrew Perkinson are bringing Sandbox VR, a unique virtual reality experience, to the Phoenix area. Starting with a limited-time-only store in Mesa, this venture aims to enrich local entertainment options. Their initiative reflects a strong community spirit, driving economic growth through private investment. With plans for future expansion across the Phoenix metro area, Sandbox VR showcases the potential of entrepreneur-led projects to enhance recreational offerings for residents.
Phoenix, Arizona. The spirit of innovation and individual endeavor continues to define the landscape of the Phoenix metropolitan area, a region consistently propelled forward by the initiative of its residents. In a vibrant testament to this ethos, two childhood friends are stepping forward to enrich the community’s entertainment options. Their venture underscores how personal vision, combined with strategic private investment, can bring novel experiences to local populations, reflecting a healthy ecosystem where private enterprise thrives in meeting diverse consumer demands. This new initiative, born from local roots, exemplifies the kind of self-starting spirit that contributes significantly to the vitality of our cities. It demonstrates that when individuals are empowered to act on their creative ideas, they can introduce amenities that directly benefit their neighbors and contribute to the local economy.
This latest development showcases the dynamism inherent when individuals take the reins to cultivate new opportunities. It’s a prime example of how local entrepreneurial spirit can directly contribute to the vibrancy and recreational offerings of our neighborhoods, demonstrating that progress often springs from the grassroots efforts of those intimately connected to the community they serve. The commitment of these lifelong friends to invest in their community’s leisure infrastructure, distinct from public sector mandates, highlights a proactive model of civic engagement and local growth.
The Visionaries Behind the Virtual Frontier
The story of this new venture begins with two individuals, Tylor Hardy and Andrew Perkinson, whose shared history as childhood friends now extends into a professional partnership aimed at enhancing local entertainment. Their journey represents a deep-seated commitment to bringing cutting-edge experiences to their home turf. This personal connection to the Valley and their proactive engagement in its development are hallmarks of the kind of civic innovation that strengthens communities by providing new and engaging activities for residents. It’s a testament to the power of individual initiative, where a personal bond transforms into a collaborative effort to enrich the broader community. Their decision to invest their time and resources into a local business venture highlights a belief in the power of private citizens to shape the recreational landscape, offering diverse choices that cater to the modern consumer.
Sandbox VR: A New Dimension of Entertainment
Hardy and Perkinson are set to introduce Sandbox VR, described as a first-of-its-kind virtual reality experience for the Valley. This immersive entertainment offering promises to transport participants into entirely new digital worlds, providing a unique form of recreation previously unavailable in the local area. Unlike traditional entertainment venues, Sandbox VR offers a collective, interactive experience where groups can engage in shared virtual adventures, fostering camaraderie and cooperative play. The introduction of such advanced leisure options reflects a growing demand for diverse and interactive activities that engage individuals and groups in novel ways. It highlights how entrepreneurial foresight can identify and fill gaps in the market, providing value directly to the community through voluntary exchange and private sector innovation. This venture is poised to become a significant draw for residents seeking engaging and technologically advanced entertainment.
Mesa as the Launchpad for Innovation
The initial phase of this exciting new venture involves a limited-time-only store in Mesa. This strategic decision to launch within a specific area of the Phoenix metro allows for focused engagement and a direct understanding of consumer preferences. The selection of Mesa as the starting point demonstrates a pragmatic approach to business development, emphasizing a targeted rollout that can be finely tuned before broader expansion. Such measured growth is often a hallmark of successful private initiatives, allowing for flexibility and responsiveness to community feedback without the constraints often associated with larger, more bureaucratic undertakings. The business is indeed starting up in Mesa, signaling a new chapter for entertainment options in this part of the Valley. This approach allows for optimal resource allocation and a fine-tuning of the service to best meet the demands of the local populace, fostering a sense of ownership and direct community involvement in the success of the enterprise.
Future Expansion Across the Phoenix Metro Area
Beyond the initial Mesa location, Tylor Hardy and Andrew Perkinson have outlined ambitious plans to expand across the Phoenix metro area. This vision for growth underscores a long-term commitment to enriching the broader Valley community with innovative entertainment options, demonstrating a confidence in the market’s capacity to embrace new technologies and experiences. The phased expansion model exemplifies a sustainable approach to business development, allowing the venture to scale responsibly while continuing to meet the evolving recreational needs of a dynamic urban center. Such private investment in local amenities contributes significantly to the overall appeal and quality of life within the region, offering a wider array of choices for residents and visitors alike. This expansion is a testament to the potential for growth when individual entrepreneurs are empowered to act on their vision, creating a positive ripple effect throughout the local economy. It illustrates how strategic business growth, driven by market demand, can enhance communal well-being and leisure opportunities.
Empowering Community Through Private Initiative
This introduction of Sandbox VR by local entrepreneurs stands as a compelling example of how private initiative and personal investment can directly foster community growth and provide valuable services. It highlights the benefits of a system where individuals are empowered to pursue their visions, creating jobs, generating economic activity, and enhancing local amenities without direct governmental mandates or extensive bureaucratic hurdles. By offering a new recreational outlet, Hardy and Perkinson are not only building a business but also contributing to the diverse tapestry of entertainment that makes the Phoenix area an attractive place to live and thrive. This serves as an inspiration for other aspiring innovators within the community, showcasing the tangible results that can be achieved through determination and ingenuity. It reinforces the idea that true community enrichment often stems from the voluntary actions and achievements of its citizens, who, through their enterprises, expand the horizons of possibility for everyone. This model emphasizes the power of local choice and leadership, demonstrating how private partnerships can efficiently address community needs and desires.
The impending arrival of Sandbox VR, spearheaded by childhood friends Tylor Hardy and Andrew Perkinson, marks a significant addition to the Phoenix metropolitan area’s entertainment landscape. This endeavor exemplifies the power of individual initiative and private enterprise in cultivating new community resources and enriching local life. Residents are encouraged to explore this innovative new offering and support the entrepreneurial spirit that continues to drive progress and enhance the vibrant character of our Valley. Engaging with such local ventures helps to foster a robust and self-reliant community, built on the foundations of personal achievement and civic innovation. This success story underscores the vital role that local entrepreneurs play in shaping our future, offering diverse opportunities and solidifying the Valley’s reputation as a hub for creativity and private sector leadership.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q1: Who is bringing Sandbox VR to the Valley?
- A1: Childhood friends Tylor Hardy and Andrew Perkinson are bringing Sandbox VR to the Valley.
- Q2: What is Sandbox VR?
- A2: Sandbox VR is a first-of-its-kind virtual reality experience.
- Q3: Where will the first Sandbox VR location be in the Valley?
- A3: The first Sandbox VR location will be a limited-time-only store in Mesa. The business is starting up in Mesa.
- Q4: Do the founders plan to expand Sandbox VR in the Phoenix area?
- A4: Yes, Tylor Hardy and Andrew Perkinson plan to expand Sandbox VR across the Phoenix metro area.
Key Features of Sandbox VR in the Valley
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Founders | Tylor Hardy and Andrew Perkinson |
| Experience | First-of-its-kind virtual reality experience |
| Initial Location | Limited-time-only store in Mesa |
| Expansion Plans | Across the Phoenix metro area |
| Nature of Venture | Private initiative, immersive entertainment |
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Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.


