A new family-friendly play place offers dual environments for children ages 6 and younger, as well as for parents. Tot Cafe offers a play area for children and a cafe for parents to watch their children play. P-J photo by Jordan W. Patterson

Sarah and Colin Myers noticed a void in the Southern Tier of Chautauqua County — specifically a business that offered accommodations for children and their parents alike.

Sarah and Colin Myers have three children, so Tot Cafe, their new business that doubles as a cafe and play place, was inspired by their own personal experiences.

“Whenever we travel somewhere there’s always something for a kid to do somewhere in other places and every time we come home we’re like, ‘Man, we don’t have anything like that,'” Colin Myers said. “So, we just really wanted to do something like this and just decided to take the chance, pull the trigger and go with the vision that we had in our heads.”

In the former Snap Fitness space at 707 Fairmount Ave., Tot Cafe looks to blend a cafe with seating at the front of the business and a large area for kids ages 6 and younger to play in remaining space. With its motto, “Kids Play. Parents Getaway,” Colin Myers hopes his family’s new business can offer something new to the area.

Colin Myers said the business is not a daycare or childcare service and parents must sign a waiver and take responsibility for watching their child. However, Tot Cafe provides the space for families to get away from the home environment even on rainy, snowy or just cold days, he said.

The play area features a ball pit; a miniature road, house and garage; and even a Lego wall, among other toys and activities.

Tot Cafe has various payment plans from one hour passes to all-day passes. Families can even rent out the entire space for parties and also pay for different memberships.

“Our cafe area is for parents to come in here, be able to sit down, watch your kids play, enjoy a refreshment or a pastry and to let your kids get their energy out here,” Colin Myers said. “That was the main idea, to give parents a place to come and relax.”

The new business is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with additional hours on Tuesday and Thursday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The business can be reached at 489-6476 for more information.

Tot Cafe employees will also be hosting various themed events throughout the year. On Saturday, Dec. 14, the Tot Cafe will host a ticketed event with Santa Claus. On New Year’s Eve, it will also host a “Noon-Years Eve” party with a count down to 12 p.m. with a balloon drop tailored for children.

Tot Cafe opened Nov. 29, about a month after renovations began on the inside. Now fully operational, Colin Myers believes the new venture can benefit tourists and local residents.

“Just to give your kids the opportunity in this weather to come here with a room big enough to run around a little bit and get their energy out,” he said of why he and his wife created the business. “That’s why we have this. It’s just an outlet to let your kid get their energy out.”

Simply because a business like this now exists, he said the family is meeting its overall goal.