Local Mom Kim Coe’s Fresh Take on an Indoor Play Space with Fun for Kids and Adults Alike! 

Get ready, Cranford/Westfield Area – Local mother extraordinaire Kim Coe is bringing something special to town with the upcoming opening of Small Town Play Café at 278 North Avenue East in the heart of Westfield Living. As a devoted mom herself, Kim knows exactly what families are looking for – a place where kids can play freely, and adults can relax. With a custom-designed play area featuring everything from imaginative playhouses to a climbing wall, there’s endless fun in store for children of all ages.

Plus, patrons can look forward to gourmet coffee, delicious local treats, and a range of weekly classes and special events. Read more in my latest blog article to find out how Kim created this amazing play space, how she resourced so many talented local businesses, how you can be a FOUNDING MEMBER, and what you can expect on opening day when you arrive with happy kids in tow! 

First a little bit about Kim…

Kim and her husband Matt currently live in Cranford, NJ with their two adorable little boys. Both grew up in Monmouth County. After spending a couple of years in California, they wanted to be back in New Jersey and closer to family. They fell in love with Cranford Living due to the proximity to the city, adorable downtown that supports local businesses, and family-oriented community. When the life moment was right to rethink her next career move, Kim wanted something that could incorporate her creativity, sharp business sense, and bringing something to town that has never been done before! With the help of her husband and local connections – the concept of Small Town Play Café was born! 

Kim, can you tell us about the journey from being a corporate mom to opening Small Town Play Cafe?

After being laid off in April of last year I took a step back. I realized that this is the biggest blessing. It allowed me to take a beat and spend some time with my goals. I evaluated what I wanted to do next. Because I give myself a little bit more flexibility, but still leverage the skills that I have., I had to think outside of the box. I’ve been doing human resources and recruiting with tech startups for years. The more I thought about it, I did not feel that excited about jumping back into something similar to what I was doing before. 

Small Town Play Cafe gives the Westfield, NJ area something it needs

There was a need for a play space that adults wanted to spend time in as well. I desired a place where my kids could have fun, but was also safe, clean, beautiful, and enjoyable! Creating this exact experience popped into my head, and I started digging into the research immediately.

Reaching out to the community

I put out an online community survey a while ago and it was amazing. Everything people were asking for was what I had already put in my plan for the most part. People were wanting what I wanted as a parent. I knew that if I was able to capture that- plus what was important to me – that Small Town Play Café would hopefully be a success. Then I started the hunt for a space.

Crafting the Aesthetic of Small Town Play Café

Why did you choose the Cranford/Westfield area?

The Cranford/Westfield area is full of younger families and offers a community with a strong sense of support for local businesses. This goes along with our Small Town Play Café values. I found the former Nagoya space in Westfield, and with some creative thinking, we realized it was perfect for us.

How did you approach the design process for Small Town Play Café?

I worked closely with local architect Gregory Ralph and his team out of GRA Design Studio, who understood my vision from the beginning. Concurrently, I collaborated with Meg Solebello – The Cranford Creative- on the branding project. It was essential to me that our brand was reflected in the physical space. We wanted a strong brand identity that people could connect with instantly- from the logo to the wallpaper, tiles, and playhouses. Meg did a beautiful job incorporating my vision throughout the branding process. Modern, authentic, warm, welcoming… those are the feelings I want to evoke from the minute you walk inside Small Town Play Café.

Could you walk us through the layout and design of Small Town Play Cafe’s interior?

Let’s talk about the café, first! 

The entire Small Town Play Café is about 100 feet long, initially seeming challenging, but during the design process, we realized its potential. Placing the coffee shop up front allows patrons to enjoy their coffee without feeling like they’re in a play space. We’ve incorporated a long counter with charging stations, offering flexibility for those who want to work or relax. 

Can you share with us how you selected the food offerings for the café section?

Matt and I wanted to ensure we partnered with reliable and excellent local businesses. For instance, I’ve been a longtime fan of Sweet N Fancy’s crumb cake, so it was a must-have for our menu. Amanda’s dedication to quality resonates with me and she is excited to create some savory bites for us as well!

Are there any other local food partners you’ve chosen?

We’ve also teamed up with Kirshenbaum Bakery. Jeff and Uyen reached out to us when they found out we were coming to town. Due to the fact that we were already thinking about incorporating a Westfield business, this was kismet! We are excited to feature some of their sweet and savory menu items in the café. 

And the coffee side of things?

We are thrilled to be collaborating with Paper Plane Coffe Co. from Montclair, NJ. Jonathan, the owner, understood our vision from the get-go. It’s not just about the beans; it’s about building a genuine partnership. He’s also helping with our equipment and training. His enthusiasm and understanding of what we want to build in the community is great. 

“I’m following my gut in a lot of ways with what I’m doing . From my perspective… I want to support the local community. It’s in the best interest of the Small Town Play Café brand. How can we lift up our business by also supporting others? Most importantly, as a special family business, we want to bring things full circle that way for me.”

For a sneak peek of the café menu – click here! 

And now for inside the Small Town Café play space..

Wee ones first!

Upon entering, families will encounter an “Under-2 Zone” with soft play and wall-mounted experiences, providing a safe and engaging environment for our youngest visitors. Adjacent to that is our STEM area, featuring interactive boards and magnetic play for educational fun. We’ve also installed a unique climbing wall designed specifically for younger children to enjoy.

How does Small Town Play Cafe’s layout cater to both parents and children?

We’ve strategically positioned seating areas both inside and outside the play area, giving parents the option to watch their children play or engage with them directly. The restrooms are conveniently located at the back, ensuring that patrons don’t have to walk through the play area, maintaining cleanliness and ease of access.

Tell us about these exciting playhouses! 

Our playhouses will offer imaginative play scenarios such as a climbing pole, garage, salon, and market, providing children with opportunities for creative exploration. Additionally, we have a clubhouse with a music area, a super long train table, and an epic corkscrew slide -ensuring there’s something for every child to enjoy. The space is designed to captivate children’s attention for hours while providing a comfortable and inviting atmosphere for parents to relax and socialize.

The ins and outs of how Small Town Play Café will operate

How does the “Open Play” concept work? 

Open play will be a significant part of our offerings, with flexible booking options. Families can book a two-hour slot at a time that suits them best. I wanted to ensure that parents have the freedom to choose a time that aligns with their children’s schedules, avoiding the frustration of rigid time slots. Our goal is to accommodate families’ needs while providing a stress-free experience. Visit here to find out more! 

Being a Founding Member has its perks! 

Founding Memberships are now OPEN! We released our exclusive pre-opening offer to email subscribers this morning and we are booking up! We only have a limited quantity of discounted memberships available, and you won’t want to miss it. Use the discount code below to grab this limited offer! 

• Monthly Founding Members receive $25 off their first month + a Small Town tote — use code FM25
• Yearly Founding Members receive $100 off their annual membership + a Small Town tote + a $25 Small Town gift card for café and/or retail items — use code FM100

More on Small Town Play Cafe Memberships:

Join our membership community for unlimited daily open play, free café treats, PLUS extra discounts on café, retail, classes, and parties (for yearly members). See website for full details & terms.

Let’s talk birthday parties and specialty classes!

Absolutely! In addition to open play, we’ll host birthday parties, specialty classes, and special events to cater to various interests and preferences. Party Booking is OPEN! We offer an hour of open play followed by a celebration with pizza or other options. Click here for more info! 

Additionally, we’ll offer specialty classes such as music, sensory play, art, and STEM. These classes will be held weekly for a four-week program, providing children with engaging and educational experiences. Keep updated here! 

Lastly, what are the cafe’s operating hours?

Small Town Cafe is open daily at 8 a.m., providing an early option for families with early risers. On weekends, open play will run from 8 a.m. to noon, with private parties in the afternoons. During the week, we’ll be open until 6 p.m., offering families the opportunity to enjoy quality time together after school or work. We’ll be open seven days a week to ensure accessibility for all families.

Sounds like you’ve thought of everything to make Small Town Play Cafe a great experience for families!

Absolutely. We’re committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive space where families can create lasting memories and enjoy quality time together.

Perfect! We are all anticipating opening day! Keep up will all the Small Town Play Café news at their website, Facebook, and Instagram! And be sure to SUBSCRIBE NOW for the mailing list here!