I have recently moved to Fort Worth (TCU) area and have a 3 year old and 4 month old. I have always wanted to open my own business and am thinking of opening a parent friendly coffeeshop with a playspace for 0-6 year olds. (Or a playspace with cafe - depending on what you want to call it).
My theory is that moms/dads/grandparents/nannies want to get out of the house and would love to go a cafe and get a coffee/smoothie/etc. while Johnny plays. I have done a bit of research and can't find anything here. It wouldn't be a jumping castle type place - it would be hip, modern, clean with great imaginative toys, arts and crafts, etc. There would be someone in the playarea to help the kids. It would be a MUST GO place for moms. You could meet other moms, maybe there would be some classes, set playgroups to help you meet other kids, etc.
There would be a fee for the playarea - say $6/child?
So my question is - would you go to a place like this? Would you be willing to pay? How often would you see yourself going?
Personally - my 3 year old goes a bit nuts around 3 every day. I would love to get out of the house for an hour or so just to change things up a bit. And if I could have a smoothie at the same time? I would go at least once a week!
Your thoughts appreciated!!
Thanks everyone for the feedback - I will continue to work on this and let you know how it goes. In the meantime, please keep the comments coming! I would love to hear the positive and the negative. If you would like to contact me directly, please do so at ____@____.com
I wouldn't go if there was a fee. I have two girls so that would be $12 per time! I can go get a milkshake at chick- fil - a or a coffee at mcdonalds and they can play for free. I'm a stay at home mom and do not have the money for that. If you put it in the right kind of neighborhood people might be more willing to pay. $6 still sounds high though. I would think closer to $3 would be a more reasonable amount.
Love the idea and agree there aren't many indoor play areas in SW Fort Worth (other than the Museum), but I know I wouldn't pay $6. In fact, I wouldn't go if there was any type of fee.
I don't mean to burst your bubble. It really is a good idea.
Good luck!
I would love a place like that but wouldn't go if there was a charge for the playarea. I have 5 kids so there is no way we could go at $6 a pop. It's a great idea but I think you would definitely need to make it free.
The idea is great though, I would love a place I could have a grown up snack instead of chicken nuggets. Listen to your other posters/places who have or have had in the past places like this. It's a tough economy still to open up something "extra" like that. Good luck!!
a place like this is being built in the Arlington-Mansfield area. similar concept, except no admission and with a green/organic/healthy mission. good luck!
I have told my husband so many times that someone would be very successful if they opened up an indoor play area for children in the Fort Worth area. We just don't have many options other than the museum, the library or the bookstore. And, young toddlers need space to really expend energy!
I think it is a wonderful idea. I would definitely pay to go, but would prefer a one-time year membership fee for the play area. Also, I would have no problem paying to have a good coffee, pastry, smoothie.
The important things for me would be: safety, cleanliness, good variety of toys for various motor skills and levels. Also, I think it would be very important to have two areas - one for infants/crawlers and another area for the older and more advanced toddler who is walking/running/climbing.
Good luck! I H. you have the time and energy to make it happen.
You might want to check out Abbey's Playtown in Grand Prairie (http://www.abbeysplaytown.com/). It is not exactly what you are describing, but they do have a similar concept. I can tell you they seem to be doing quite well and are always busy. We personally love it there. There is a place for the parents to sit at these big (although crowded) tables-- if I had to change one thing about the place, it would be better sitting room. They have free wireless. No smoothies or coffee or anything, but they do have a wide range of food and drinks for sale. And they have all kinds of toys for the kids-- but the great thing is everything is safe for a 1 year old and still fun for your 4 year old. Parents do have to supervise some of the bigger toys, so it's not always easy to just lounge around while your kid is playing. Personally, I would definitely come to something your describing. I think $6 is a lot though if I want to just come for an hour while I have a smoothie. If your main focus is on the play area, with the drink thing as a bonus, then you could charge an hourly rate that might be more reasonable like $3, or an all-day rate of $7 or $8, ya know? Or if you have a smaller play area and your main focus is the coffee/smoothie thing, then don't charge at all-- roll up everything in the price in the drink. Good luck... I think this is a great business idea, especially with more and more moms staying at home and looking for inexpensive ways to get out of the house.
it is a wonderful idea. I would go maybe once a week. Maybe offer scones or something like that.
You might want to visit Buon Giorno coffee house in Colleyville (?). They have a small play area for kids with a train set and tons of games... the play area is free, and my husband and I love to go there while our little son plays.. it keeps him busy for about an hour or so. We love to do this about every other weekend. It really is nice for us...although I'm sure we wouldn't go if there were a charge for the play area.
I think your idea is great, but I agree with everyone else that $6 for the play area is a bit much. There are so many free things parents can do (Ridgmar mall play area, playgrounds, Botanical gardens or even the zoo & museum if you have an annual membership) that I don't think people are willing to pay that much. Pump It Up charged $5 per kid, but the whole focus is on the play area. I agree that you would probably be better off making your money on the cafe part and letting the play area be free. If you have great smoothies, coffee, snacks etc. people will spend money. I think a fee would be reasonable for organized classes, arts and crafts etc. That's my two cents, but I think you have a great idea!
I owned an indoor play area a couple of years ago & had to close due to lack of business. I was only charging $3.50 per child & I just couldn't keep customers coming back. I heard the same thing over & over, "Your place is wonderful, clean & full of fun activities, but with so many free places to play we just can't spend the money to come on a regular basis, especially with 2 or more kids." I am on board with some of the other moms. If the play area isn't the main focus of your shop, let it be free & depend on the goods you sell to support your business. Moms & dads flock to Chic-fil-a, McDonalds & the like cause they can purchase a reasonable meal & get free play out of it. An idea for drumming up business may be to add a little boutique area. I have been considering opening a boutique that sells bows, tutus, jewelry & such but need to find a really good niche for it. If that's something you are interested in let me know & we could work something out. Good luck with your venture, I wish you the best!!
