“I am catering to the five-and-under crowd,” said Yvonne Gallardo, who recently opened Andrew’s Playroom at 328 N. Olympic Ave. in downtown Arlington with her husband, Brian Van Ornam.
Because of their own son’s playtime needs, they’ve created a welcoming place where kids can play safely in the company of family members.
Even before their son, Andrew, was born, the Smokey Point couple realized that there are very few places to take their baby boy to play indoors. The park is great if the weather is good, but what about those long winter days?
When considering this problem, Gallardo and Van Ornam came across one facility where moms could take babies for a couple of hours a day and stay with them, but the business had closed its doors.
“We said, ‘If I had a million dollars…’ ” Gallardo said.
The couple soon realized that they didn’t need a million dollars to start their own business. That’s when they created Andrew’s Playroom.
Gallardo had been in the US Navy. She also has a business degree. Van Ornam had also been in the Navy and now works for the Fluke Co. in Everett. With their son, Andrew, as inspiration, these entrepreneurs combined their business savvy and new parenthood challenges to create a fun, colorful hang out for kids, opening it last May.
Moms, dads, caretakers, and grandparents stay with their young children in Andrew’s Playroom for hours at a time, playing together in a safe indoor environment. It’s all about having fun , including allowing parents to connect with other parents.
Bouncy toys, slides, climbing frames, games and a floor that shoes don’t walk on, all make for a kid-friendly venue where locals and visitors can meet with their children. Most of the children who come to Andrew’s Playroom with their parents are between six months and five-years-old.
“I’m very outgoing,” Gallardo said. “Some moms aren’t like that, so they don’t have to mingle. They can come in and just spend time with their children in the facility playing, listening to music or reading. “
The cost for using Andrew’s Playroom is $8.50 per child for a day. If there are five or more children in one group then the cost drops to $7 per child.
The business closes for an hour for lunch, but there is no readmission fee for those who leave and then return the same day. Parents are required to bring socks for themselves and their children since no shoes are allowed in the play areas.
Andrew’s Playroom is not a drop-off center. There are no baby-sitters or day-care workers. Parents stay with their children and play with them. They come in families and in larger groups.
As well as a place to take children to stimulate them and have fun, Andrew’s Playroom is available for private birthday parties. Gallardo hopes to add other features to her business including arts and crafts, classes on signing, and perhaps a snack bar. Also, some classes are already up and running.
“We have story time on Tuesdays and Spanish class on Saturdays,” Gallardo said.
The goal of the new business is to have children, their parents and relatives come to grow and learn in Andrew’s Playroom.
“It’s building a community, too,” Gallardo said. “While people are here they can also see what else Arlington has to offer.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
