NC Minnesota News

New Business SPOTLIGHT  Lake State Play Cafe
Wadena Area Chamber is excited to showcase new businesses who've joined our community in the past several months. Let's learn more about one of our newest downtown businesses ...

 Business Name: Lake State Play Cafe

 Owner/Operator: Megan Agnew

 Location: 209 Jefferson Street South, downtown Wadena, next to Greiman's Printing.

 Hours:

Tuesday 9-2

Wednesday 9-2

Thursday 9-5

Friday 9-2

Saturday 9-2

 Describe what your business is about?

An indoor imaginative play space for families with young children. We serve coffee, tea, snacks and treats (like edible cookie dough!). We also sell gifts such as hand-poured candles and graphic apparel made in-house to kids fidgets and crafts. We even host birthday parties and events!

 When did you open? Staff?

We opened Oct. 24 and we're very excited to be part of downtown Wadena. Right now, myself and husband Taylor are the ones you’ll see when you visit!

 Any additional services you plan to offer in the future?

Once we complete a plumbing overhaul, we will offer a full coffeehouse menu with specialty drinks. We hope to also offer events for adults like a DIY bouquet this summer and a local vendor marketplace. As a female who owns two businesses, it means a lot to me to support other local female business owners.

 Why did you decide to open this business?

Being a parent can be challenging! As a mom, some days I just needed to get out of the house, or see the faces of other adults. With hot summer days, rained-out plans, frigid winter or whatever it may be, we sometimes need a place to bring our kids. A place besides a grocery run, where they can actually engage in something intellectually stimulating, or something creative.

Besides our outdoor neighborhood parks, we don’t have a place to meet up with some other friends and have a way kids can play and be kids. During COVID, we didn’t have a social outlet for our toddler, as a work-from-home mom isolation sets in, I wanted to create a space that was welcoming to both kids and adults to come. I wanted a space where a few friends could catch up without having to clean their own house. My hope is that this space evolves to be a community space to be used for a multitude of reasons.

 Any upcoming promotions or events?

We do have a gift card deal. Any family buying a yearly unlimited play pass will receive a $50 gift card! We also have our "Noon Year's Eve" on Saturday, Dec. 31, which is a family friendly event to ring in 2023 with music, open play, tattoos, crafts, and countdown to noon when a balloon drop will welcome in the New Year! There is a cost. Tickets include open play and pizza lunch. Call ahead for info and tickets!

 Tell us a little about your family:

My husband, Taylor, and I have been married since 2017. Taylor is a teacher at Verndale Area Christian Academy. We have two children -- Kendall, 4 and Sully, 2. We place a very high value on family time; on weekends, you’ll often see our whole family in the Play Cafe “working!”

 Any hobbies or pastimes?

As a true Minnesotan, I grew up camping and fishing, so moving “up north” from the Cities has been s a treat! I have over 13 years experience in childcare, education and kid's ministry which laid the foundation for the business.

 Contact Info:

218-430-0164 | lakestateplaycafe@gmail.com | or stop by and meet Megan and Taylor Agnew!

Welcome to Wadena and to our business community, Lake State Play Cafe!

   

#WadenaBusinessSpotlight #SupportSmallBusiness #ThisIsWadena

Original source can be found here.