ARTICLE
Two years ago The Play Café celebrated their grand opening. Fast forward to this week where they will celebrate moving to an expanded location at 153 Marion Boulevard, just down from their original. The Play Café will officially cut the ribbon on Thursday, June 13 at 9:30 a.m. Founded in 2022, the Play Café is owned and operated by Jen English and Mackenzie Ward, of Cedar Rapids. The recent move has nearly doubled their space to 2,900 sq ft with a dedicated space for parties, quiet room for overwhelmed or nursing mothers, and an outside area for messy play. The space features a “Mini Marion” where kids and build with blocks, a grocery store, post office, veterinary clinic, and stage as well as areas where kids can climb. “The main thing we focus on is play being for everyone. We don’t put on age on it.” said English. In addition to open play, The Play Café specializes in children’s parties offering décor, party favors, balloons, and themed parties. Once per month they host special events that include themes such as Dino, Taylor Swift dance parties, gemstone mining, and visits from characters like Spiderman, Anna and Elsa, Paw Patrol and more. English said they also do many events for the betterment of the community. Those include honoring a local family during childhood cancer awareness month, hosting blood drives, and two free community events in October in during Easter. To learn more about The Play Café and see a full calendar of events, please visit their website crplaycafe.com, or at facebook.com/CRPlayCafe
Two years ago The Play Café celebrated their grand opening. Fast forward to this week where they will celebrate moving to an expanded location at 153 Marion Boulevard, just down from their original. The Play Café will officially cut the ribbon on Thursday, June 13 at 9:30 a.m.
Founded in 2022, the Play Café is owned and operated by Jen English and Mackenzie Ward, of Cedar Rapids. The recent move has nearly doubled their space to 2,900 sq ft with a dedicated space for parties, quiet room for overwhelmed or nursing mothers, and an outside area for messy play.
The space features a “Mini Marion” where kids and build with blocks, a grocery store, post office, veterinary clinic, and stage as well as areas where kids can climb.
“The main thing we focus on is play being for everyone. We don’t put on age on it.” said English.
In addition to open play, The Play Café specializes in children’s parties offering décor, party favors, balloons, and themed parties. Once per month they host special events that include themes such as Dino, Taylor Swift dance parties, gemstone mining, and visits from characters like Spiderman, Anna and Elsa, Paw Patrol and more.
English said they also do many events for the betterment of the community. Those include honoring a local family during childhood cancer awareness month, hosting blood drives, and two free community events in October in during Easter.
To learn more about The Play Café and see a full calendar of events, please visit their website crplaycafe.com, or at facebook.com/CRPlayCafe