Our Story
Krista and Stephanie met in 2021 when their two older kids were in dance class together. They bonded over both being from Minnesota and all the quirks that brings with it, like eating jello fluff and frog-eye salad at every summer cookout (don’t worry, no frogs were harmed in the making of said salad) š.
As they talked each other through various joys and struggles of parenting they wondered why there wasn’t a play cafe in Ann Arbor like the ones they had seen in cities they previously lived in (Chicago and L.A.). From their perspective, there was a huge need for the kind of “village” a play cafe provides. In the end, what started out as a half joke and fantasy developed into them SLOWLY chipping away at actually opening a play cafe!
Who we are
Women and minority owned
STEPHANIE
co-owner, mom, caffeine dependent
Hi, Iām Stephanie!
I like long walks on the beach andā¦
Just kiddingā¦I was born and raised in Minnesota by a single working mom for whom English was a second language. My childhood was a mix of Korean and Midwest American cultures that included things like watching Rainbow Brite, showing off my prized Lisa Frank folder at school and realizing that what I called ālamyeonā everyone else called ramen!
My education is in child development and social work. Prior to opening Hide and Seek I spent the last 20 years working with children and families in various settings. Most recently I was doing play-based therapy with littles and educating parents and caregivers in play techniques and positive behavior strategies. After having two kids of my own I quickly learned to eat my words, especially when it comes to sleeping arrangements, eating habits and screen timeā¦palm to the forehead! Afterall, weāre all just trying our best and doing what works for ourselves and our families.
I am a wife and mom to two nonstop kids, Lenore and Remy. I understand the challenges of working from home with your kids when it takes you the whole day to send one email because you keep getting up to make the 50th snack. I can relate to trying to find a
place for a coffee/playdate where you donāt have to chase after your kids or worry about squeezing into a tiny tunnel that smells like stinky feet to rescue your little one who has climbed up by themselves, but doesnāt know how to climb back down. If that sounds like your life, know that I see you and Iām ready to fill your bucketā¦and your cup!
Loves: Crocheting and snacks (and reading…someday I’ll read again!)
Favorite food: Anything spicy
Favorite condiment: Horseradish sauce and my husband’s garlic chili crisp
Fly Swatter Fencing or Dustpan Curling? Dustpan curling…obviously!
KRISTA
co-owner, mom, sun-seeker
Hi! My name is Mommy. Some (pint-sized) people call me Mama. I also answer to āMore popcorn, please!ā or āI need you to wipe my butt!ā. My actual name is Krista. Sometimes I go by that, too.
Born and raised in a small town in Southern Minnesota, I spent my youth riding my bike with our posse of neighborhood hooligans, collecting My Little Ponies, and basking in the warm summer snow. (Seriously, I still canāt live down midwest winters..) Oh, and I also loved babysitting. As a kid, I wanted to play with ALL THE BABIES.
Fast forward 100 years, one hunky husband and 2 small children later, I hold a degree in Mass Communications and Studio Arts with a specialization in Photography. I can honestly say Iāve perfected the art of making silly faces for baby giggles and turned it into a full-fledged career. I have 16 years experience as a professional photographer, 11 of those spent running a high-profile, boutique photography studio in Los Angeles and another 5 years in Ann Arbor as a fulltime Mama/daily documentarian to two daughters, Isla and Eleanor.
Having lived through a pandemic in quarantine with two toddlers, I fully understand the need for a villageā¦.and caffeine. FULLY. Iām looking forward to spreading kindness, compassion and comedic relief as needed.
Loves: Coffee, sunshine and cucumber toast
Favorite food: Sushi
Favorite condiment: Hot sauce
Popcorn Rain or Candy Hail? Neither, those both sound like terrible choking hazards!
Goals
One-Stop-Shop
We want our customers to think of us as their one-stop-shop.
Come have a hot beverage and bite to eat while your little one plays happily and safely. Meet a friend for a playdate or send a work email. Register your kiddo for a playgroup class or celebrate an event in our private room. Make an appointment with RonnieVcuts for your child’s haircut and more!
Safe & Clean
We want our space to feel safe and clean to you and your child.
We have purposely chosen specific toys and pieces of equipment that are safe and developmentally appropriate. We also regularly clean and sanitize our space and everything in it.
Respectful
We think it is important that people feel they are treated respectfully and fairly.
We do this by trying to be active listeners and communicate empathetically and we encourage everyone who steps into Hide and Seek to do the same.
Supportive
We want customers to feel supported and empowered.
We provide pop-up events with various community experts in the field of child development and parenting/caregiving. There are also meet-up groups for finding your people. We hope these events will validate and normalize experiences and serve as potential support systems.
Inclusive & Diverse
We make every effort to make our space as welcoming to all as we can.
We have tried to design our physical space and our classes and events to encompass various abilities, cultures and identities. See something we could improve on in this area? Let us know!
Authentic
We are authentic in the work we do and are aware of your limitations.
We know we will not be able to please everyone no matter how hard we try, but we also know that none of us live in isolation and our choices impact others.
Hours
Monday……………………… 9:00am-2:30pm
Tuesday…………………………………….. CLOSED
Wednesday……………… 9:00am-2:30pm
Thursday…………………… 9:00am-2:30pm
4:00pm-7:30pm
Friday…………………………. 9:00am-2:30pm
Private Parties
Saturday………………….. 9:00am-12:00pm
(walk-ins ONLY)
Private Parties
Sunday…………………………. Private Parties