Get to know ‘At Play Cafe’, a wonderful place to take your kids, and for you to have a break!
1. What inspired you to start your business?
I started my business after finding myself getting tired from driving all over town to take my then-preschool children to art/sports/music classes, to the playground/mall to play and then somewhere else to eat. I thought that it would be great if there was one place where my kids can get all three things done so I didn’t have to spend a big chunk of the day on the road. I also noticed that many siblings of the children in those (gymnastics, art, music, etc) classes get bored waiting for their brother or sister, so why not let them have some fun in the playarea while their siblings are in class.
2. Describe your target market.. Age, income, interests etc.
The target market of At Play Cafe is definitely stay at home moms of preschoolers, but we have also been a great hit with working parents because most other play places are closed for birthday parties on weekends and they appreciate the fact that can do something with their kids on the weekends.
3. What are your favorite products or services?
My favorite things are my MacBook (easy to use and beautiful to look at), my Blackberry (keeps me in the know), my Honda Odyssey (12 cupholders!), my FitFlops (super comfortable) and Lasik (don’t have to worry about contact lenses again!)
4. How do you choose the layout of your store?
The layout of our space is based on the need for the parents to be able to see their kids playing in the playarea while sitting in any of our seats. Some like to be close to the kids, so they will sit at the counter of the half wall enclosing the playarea. Others like to focus on their work and will sit further away, but will still be able to see their kids with a glance.
5. What is your favorite part of your location?
The best thing about our location is how easily accessible it is from major thoroughfares such as Fairfax County Parkway, the Dulles Toll Road, and Route 7, which is why we have parents who don’t mind making the trek from Alexandria, Falls Church, or Leesburg.
6. Do you work with other local businesses? If so, any would like to share?
We work with Mallowdrama, the bakery that makes our delicious mini-cupcakes. We encourage our customers to advertise their businesses by leaving their business cards on our counter. We also value our partnerships with local preschools and non-profit organizations, such as Reston Interfaith.
7. Anything else you would like to add. 
The best part about owning this business is meeting all the moms who come to visit us and finding out what they used to do in their “other life” or what their current hobbies are. It supports my belief that every mom is incredibly talented and deserves to be recognized for her work, whether at home or outside of the home.
Plenty of places to relax and sip on a latte, meet with friends or watch your children play..
Part of the play area..
So many beautiful treasures
