Cafe caters for parents with playful toddlers

July 22nd, 2014
[by David Armstrong]

Giving parents a place to relax with a coffee while their toddlers play is the concept behind Sharon Rogers' business venture at Mot Tots Playland and Cafe.

For the past year Sharon has run the cafe out of the commercial kitchen at the Recreation Centre and the area between the skate rink and the main stadium.

She pays a lease to Sports Tasman to run the business, which at the moment is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9-2pm.

Sharon says the cafe and indoor play area is designed mainly around parents or caregivers being able to go somewhere where their children can play while they sit back and relax with a coffee and delicious snacks.

"We have some mums that come in on their own with the kids and enjoy sitting back and reading a magazine. And then we also have mothers' groups and play groups, birthday parties and so on." All children are supervised by their parents or guardians.

They also provide lunches to eat there or take away. They do Kush coffee (organic fair trade), and all the food is prepared on site. "We've been told we do the best cheese scones, sausage rolls and coffee."

Sharon says she started the business with a friend when they saw a need for parents to have a place to go that was entertaining and safe for the kids while they could get a nice coffee and food and actually get to enjoy it without having to run around all over the place.

The unusual site has its benefits also. "I really enjoy being a part of the Rec Centre," she says. "I like to work in with them and also open at times when they have other events on at the centre to provide food options, such as school sports.

"I think the Rec Centre is a fantastic community facility and would love to see it utilised more. I'm bringing in a different age demographic which will hopefully bring even more people through their doors."

Occasionally she has children's entertainers visit, such as a recent half-hour show by Kath Bee (see photo below).

She is also trialling a second-hand toy sales bench, where people can display items in good condition and they can be sold for a small commission. "Some people had asked about this and I thought, why not give it a go?"

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