Pickle Planet Podcast: The Play Cafe Story
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Curiosity is a natural instinct. It’s not uncommon to find yourself wondering about what’s happening in another person’s life, especially when you come to feel like you know the person, even if your relationship is that of business owner and customer. So when Marley McGinnis announced the closure of The Play Cafe less than two years after opening her doors to our community, many of us wondered what exactly had happened. Some people even felt entitled to an explanation, despite Marley’s right to personal privacy.
Now, two months after the closure, Marley is sharing her story. We’re thankful she agreed to open up about her journey on this podcast; we hope you’ll take time to listen to hear about her passion, her struggle, and her advice to others considering opening an independent business in our area.
When you’ve finished, we’d love for you to share your thoughts in the comments. Marley’s business is not the only brick-and-mortar establishment catering to children and families that has closed this year; what might have changed the outcome and what can we do to ensure the local businesses we want to have in our community continue to be able to thrive here?
Totally understand been there. Someone I know went into buy a pass only a few weeks before you closed and she was upset she lost her money. Someone should have mentioned to her you may be closing. I highly recommended her to go when her grandchildren came home from Australia and then you were closed. I felt bad I told her to go.
We run a small busness in Guelph Ontario and we have about 100 atisans mostly women and have a place to sell their art. We are 1 and 3/4 years in and we hear your sturggle and (Play Cafe’) Especially when more stores open that have a similar consept. Also the idea that there should be support for us even when we are trying to run it as a family and not just grant if you employ others. We pour hours into it from our family and other artisan’s. We also are prat of Mompreneurs®. and that helpes us so much.
I am so sad this closed right before I got to go. I moved here in August and when I found out about it and went in September I found it had closed. You are absolutely correct this community NEEDs something like this!! However, people also need to use the resources for them to be sustained. I really wish I could have checked it out and that people would have supported a local place such as this. I am not a fan of the other play centre at all and this one sounds like it would have been my jam. Thank you for trying!!