A Place to Play!

Young children and their parents are soon to have a wonderful place to go hang out and play in Friday Harbor. Cathy Kromer and Becky Taylor are creating “A Place to Play” at 55 Spring Street, where the Mystical Mermaid used to be just up from the China Pearl.

Owner/Manager Cathy Kromer (L) and Assistant Manager Becky Taylor peek into the play kitchen at the new play place in Friday Harbor – Update photo

Word is out already in our small community and so it’s very important to make this clear right now – it is NOT a daycare. It’s not a place to drop kids off, and then leave to go shopping or whatever. It IS a very cool place to hang out though with lots of games and toys that young children will love. A wooden train set, a doll house, a play kitchen, a sand table, a big fishing boat, mopeds and riding horses are just a few of the toys that kids will busy themselves with. While the parents take advantage of free Wi-Fi, coffee, tea, cocoa and snacks (and perhaps most importantly – some down-time while the kids get their wiggles out).

There is a beautiful mural of island life covering the walls (still in progress) by local artist Bob Von Plowman (he’s the guy that did Rocky Bay and Friday Harbor Pet Supplies). There are no TV’s or electronic games – it’s all touch-and-feel real stuff to build imagination and creativity.

They plan to be open by the end of May and they are very excited to announce that ever-popular Kindergarten teacher Sharon Minke will be on staff part-time. They are going to network with several local kid-oriented programs such as Island Rec’s S.T.A.R., and Head Start, and offer events for special needs kids as well.

Stop by and peek in the door – it is a really cool place and very colorful. And visit them at the Children’s Festival at the Fairgrounds on May 3rd – they’re going to have a booth there with lots more information.

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