6 minute read
The Kids Play Co
What is your name and the name of your business? How long have you been in business?
My name is Chris Downs and my business is The Kids Play Co. It was formerly known as The Playdate Co and I am the new owner as of December 2018.
Tell us about your business (what do you do, where do you do it, etc).
The Kids Play Co is an indoor playground that specializes in engaging and exciting your kid’s imagination with our custom designed playhouses. Since taking over, we’ve added weekly classes including music, art, yoga, fitness, and story times. We also have really cool events like a visit from dentists, The Gentle Zoo on April 15 at 12 p.m., movie nights, and indoor Easter egg hunts on Friday, April 19 & Saturday, April 20.
What inspired you to do what you do?
I have a 4-year-old Lily that fell in love with this place when we first came out as customers. I think we visited 8 times in the first two weeks. My background before this was in social media marketing and I am currently the youth director at United Christian Church in Garland, TX. At the heart of it, I guess I’m still a big kid and finding imaginative ways for kids to learn and to have fun has always been important to me.
The The Kids Kids Play Play Co. Co.
Address: 2701 Custer Parkway Ste 718 Richardson, TX 75080 Number: 469-778-0300 Email: info@thekidsplayco.com
Tells us a favorite story or two about your business.
When I first came out, I wasn’t looking for a business to take over. The previous owner’s spouse was relocating. Fast forward a few months, I have absolutely fell in love with the business, the community, and the families visiting us.
I love being able to introduce new toys or redecorating a bit and seeing kids and parents faces light up as they get to play. We focus on not having any electronics for the kids to sit and zone out to. We want them to always have fun while they are in a learning environment. Being able to see kids interact and pretend play while their little minds absorb and grow, is a blessing every day.
How long have you lived in Canyon Creek?
We do not currently live in Canyon Creek, but I love the atmosphere. There are a few customers that walk over and have a membership that allows their kids to have access to play and classes every day. This shopping center is certainly a hidden gem.
What brought you to Canyon Creek?
At first, the opportunity for my daughter to play. Now I’m often at Pearl Cup, Shaddys, Frankies, and probably a little too much at Sweet Firefly.
What do you love most about living in Canyon Creek?
The real sense of community. Regardless of your income or what street you live on, everyone is a part of Canyon Creek.
Tell us about your family (names, ages, schools, work, etc).
My daughter Lily turns 4 on April 14th. She is celebrating her birthday here at The Kids Play Co, as she will for many more birthdays to come. My wife, Mona is a psychopharmacologist at Parkland hospital in Dallas. We have been married since 2005, are high-school sweethearts, and are expecting a boy, Luke, in September.
Share with us a funny or awesome story of living in Canyon Creek.
We are not current residents, but have loved being a part of II Creeks Plaza.
Anything else you’d love for your neighbors to know about your business or you?
Please check out our website at thekidsplayco. com or follow us @thekidsplayco on social media. I am constantly updating events, party packages, classes and more for you to check out. We also allow outside food and have many grab lunch from the great options within walking distance.
Students of the Month PCE Turns 50!
by Shelley Hicks, PCE PTA President
The Canyon Creek neighborhood is lucky to have three phenomenal elementary schools. The youngest of those, Prairie Creek Elementary founded in 1969, recently celebrated the school’s 50th anniversary.
PCE students, parents, teachers, and staff celebrated the culmination of five decades with a week of activities sponsored by PCE PTA. Our theme ‘Dream Big’ has been the theme this year with the goal being dream big for the future. The 50thAnniversary committee created a hallway banner with the footprint of every single student. Students and teachers decorated their classroom doors and also dressed up in decade-specific clothing for ‘Dressing through the Decades’ day— something about seeing first graders in ‘80’s attire was just too fun. Every class donated an item for a time capsule which will be unveiled when PCE turns one hundred-years-old. Our 50th Anniversary Committee decked out all students and faculty in matching shirts and organized the perfect.
The penultimate event to celebrate the 50th anniversary was a pep rally—the first for many students! The JJ Pearce Drumline kicked us off, and they marched down our school hallway with an amazing performance that will no doubt inspire many of the students to want a birthday drum set! The cafeteria was packed with parents, alumni, school board members, our former principal Mary Ann Schwab, our beloved long-term substitute Mr. Hamlett, and even our mascot, Petethe-Panther. Mr. Stuard, the PCE principal, spoke about the origins of the school. PTA VP of Programs Kristin Brown created a video highlighting major world events and inventions that occurred throughout the past five decades—Spoiler Alert: the creation
of the iPhone and Fortnight got the biggest reaction from the students.
Dream Big Under the Big Top, a carnival on the lawn of Prairie Creek, was the final celebration for PCE’s 50th anniversary. During the party, PCE families celebrated with activities for all ages. There were carnival rides, balloon artists, caricatures artists, and face painting to name a few. The JJ Pearce Pacesetters posed with many adoring students while a pop-up photo booth was a huge hit. The Dream Big Under the Big Top ended with a live auction, emceed by PCE parent Matt Newnham. The highlight of the bidding was the coveted reserved parking spot in front of the school—congratulations James & Leah Collins!
In addition to the events, throughout the week every grade level was challenged to gather fifty school supplies ranging from scissors crayons, to Clorox wipes. The items were donated to a nearby elementary school.
PTA is also excited to be able to gift an electronic marquee to the school to mark the 50th anniversary of PCE. We look forward to that new addition coming this summer.
When my family moved to the neighborhood 5 years ago, I did not fully grasp just how special this school and neighborhood was. Now, as the parent of a 3rd and 4th grader at the school, I’m overwhelmed by all that this neighborhood means to me. I know how quickly this time is passing and I treasure these years of walking my children to school, watching kids bike to school, seeing parents of kindergarteners give a hug goodbye, and the true friendliness that encompasses this community. It was an honor to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Prairie Creek Elementary—Cheers to another fifty years!
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