Tacoma’s new play cafe opens soon with space for kids and parents. Look inside

When Jordan Zenisek and Susan Saccone became parents, it was almost impossible to find somewhere to take their young kids early in the morning. Their new business now fills that need.

In December, the friends will open Sunrise Play Cafe just south of the Stadium District, with a custom 1,400-square-foot indoor play structure, a cafe, adult seating area and event space for birthday parties and classes.

The address is 204 St. Helens Ave., which is located next to Doyle’s Public House.

On Wednesday, construction workers were busy making Zenisek’ss and Saccone’s vision come to life. Beams will be transformed into trees. Slides and climbing areas will be erected, and a cafe to the side will serve coffee, mocktails, beer and wine. A courtyard with picnic tables will have a water and sensory play component, Zenisek said. An event space in the back will host birthday parties and baby showers, and there will be a private “nursing nook” for new moms.

“We’re hoping to do a lot of classes, like sleep consultants and lactation consultants, all kinds of things for parents as they’re getting started on their parenting journey, because it really is a whole new world once you’re in it,” Zenisek said. “It’s a big change.”

Zenisek was a preschool teacher when she and Saccone met, and Saccone has worked as an emergency-room nurse for 15 years. Zenisek has a 2-year-old and a 3-year-old, and Saccone has a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old.

“It’s just kind of hard to get out of the house and then find places that are open early. Like, everything for kids opens at 10 o’clock. And I just don’t understand why because everyone I know wakes up at sunrise,” Zenisek said. “Hence the name.”

The two wanted to open a business that accommodated young kids’ sleep and play schedules (the Sunrise Play Cafe’s age range is infant to 6-year-olds). Although it is not a drop-off site, patrons will be able to walk in with their kids or reserve two-hour play times for a fee. Annual memberships will be on sale starting at $40 per child, with discounts for multiple children. Zenisek said they also want to offer discounts to those who live in nearby apartments and would benefit from their indoor play area and outdoor yard space.

“In Washington, we don’t have the best weather. Even when it is really hot, I mean, the slides can be up to like, 140 degrees. So it’s really nice to have a space that’s clean and not like a McDonald’s,” she said. “And a place where parents actually want to hang out. We’ll have healthy food options.”

A preliminary menu includes breakfast sandwiches, soups, paninis, pizzas, flatbreads, açai bowls and waffles, Zenisek said.

This kind of cafe doesn’t currently exist in Tacoma, but more are starting to pop up as part of a growing trend, she said.

“It really does take a village to raise kids,” Zenisek said. “You have to find good people that are going through the same thing, or you really can find yourself down, because parenting can be so isolating at first.”

If you go

The Sunrise Play Cafe doesn’t have an opening date, but tune into the business website, Facebook or Instagram to see updates.

Zenisek and Saccone are organizing an event calendar, which might feature career days with local librarians, music teachers, firefighters, veterinarians, police and nurses. They also are organizing a monthly cookie-decorating class.

Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and private events from 6-8 p.m.

Address: 204 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma

In our Inside Look stories,journalists at The News Tribune take you inside places around Tacoma and Pierce County that you maybe haven’t seen before. Read more. Story idea? newstips@thenewstribune.com.