New Businesses Are Banking On Their Kid Appeal

By Kendra Bobowick

Young children’s laughter accompanies their rush to enter several new businesses in Newtown made just for them. Some have gotten their eager hands on cupcakes decorated especially for a St Patrick’s Day party, others have scampered across a spongy mat to a balance beam or springboard. And still awaiting a child’s curious touch in another space are art supplies poised for early creativity.

From toddlers to preteens, children can indulge in a variety of new activities of three new businesses that have opened since January 15, and a fourth welcomes visitors to an open house this Friday and Saturday. Now catering to the younger crowd are Hydrangea Blue, Tumble Jungle LLC, and Vasi’s International Gymnastics, LLC. Coming this weekend is Ta-Da! Art For Children.

Art For Children

From noon to 4 pm parents and their young patrons can peruse the arts and activities located at a new building next to Sand Hill Plaza at 224 South Main Street. The children and the timing were just two reasons owner Debbie Holmes chose to start her own business combining education with stroked of paint and pieces in a collage.

“There was nothing like it,” she said. Also inspiring Ms Holmes are both her background and hopes for her own children. She said, “I used to be a kindergarten teacher, and I really wanted art programming for them, they love art.” Ordinary life also led her to Ta Da! “I like to paint and [my children] took over. It wasn’t even my studio any more so I got the idea.” Securing her desires were insights following Ms Holmes’s recent trip to a third-world country.

“I met people there without opportunities, and I thought, ‘Why not?’ The women especially did not have choices we have, and I came home looking at things differently.” Putting everything together, Ms Holmes explained what prompted Ta Da! “I always loved working with kids and I thought it was time to do something — the timing was definitely right.”

Ta Da! Offers Mommy & Me classes and programming for children through 12 years old, approximately. Spring classes include Drawing and Painting, Paint, Rattle and Roll, Alphabet Art, Book Worms, and more. Ms Holmes also believes in blending education into the arts and crafts, and lessons into the artwork, she said.

Call 364-1858 or visit the website at www.ta-daart.com.

Gymnastics

Located at 8 Peck’s Lane is a new space decorated and filled with programming by Vasile Cioana, a gymnast from the Romanian Olympic team 1990–99, and his wife Trisha Waller, who has a background in dance.

The couple decided to start their own children’s gymnastics programming and created Vasi’s International Gymnastics, LLC, Ms Waller said. From ages 2 and older, anyone through high school age can train at Vasi’s. She explained, “We saw there was a need for a facility like this in Newtown.” Since programming began in January, the couple has already seen more enrollment than Ms Waller anticipated.

Gymnastics is a sport of its own, she said, but can supplement any other sport. Athletic activities such as cheerleading can also benefit, Ms Waller said. “We offer tumbling for cheerleaders from 7 years old through high school,” she said.

Mr Cioana, “Vasi,” continued the thought. “This is one of those sports that helps with any other. It gives you strength and awareness, it helps you understand all sports.” Parents have commented to him about the change in their children, he said. “You become a better person,” he said.

According to one flyer, boys and girls of all ages are welcome. The new, 10,000-square-foot facility offers private and semiprivate lessons, recreational classes, cheerleading tumbling, fun and fitness, adult stretch and strength, and an open in-ground foam pit and inflatable bouncer slide.

He aims to become one of the best facilities in the region, Mr Cioana said.

Aimed at both fun and training, the couple hopes to see budding gymnasts emerge. “Some want the fun and exercise and others are more serious,” she said. The large, open floor plan makes room for recreational classes and they will be staring preteam competition, she said.

Vasi’s also offers children’s parties and a summer day camp. Call 270-8274, or find Vasi’s on the web at www.vasisgymnastics.com.

A Tumble In The Jungle

Kids are encouraged to literally “come monkey around” and “go bananas” at the Tumble Jungle LLC

Sara Jasinski had been thinking about opening a children’s business “long, long ago,” she said. She focused her efforts on gymnastics.

“It always gave me coordination and confidence,” she said. Before she opened the Tumble Jungle LLC in January, Ms Jasinski began a career in education, but ultimately gymnastics led her to the facility recently constructed at 224 Main Street near Sand Hill Plaza.

“I went to school to be a teacher and taught gymnastics on the side,” she said. Her interest in the sport had never dwindled. After she and her husband John started a family, she thought, “Do I go after teaching or a dream of mine?” She and John opened the Tumble Jungle.

“I wanted kids to have a place to come and feel comfortable in a noncompetitive atmosphere where they get fitness,” she said. Ms Jasinski has hopes for her students.

“I want them to gain confidence and strength and coordination to take on whatever sport or anything they want to do.”

She speculated that children who are not enrolled in a particular sport or who are not comfortable with sports can be active at the Tumble Jungle. Arts and Crafts also mingle with the fitness for those young minds with different interests. Including in the classes are preschool readiness programs, birthday parties, summer programs, and a parents’ night out. Mom or dad can drop off the children for a few hours on a Friday evening.

Call 426-1300, or visit Tumble Jungle on the web at www.tumblejungle.net

Hydrangea Blue

What does it mean? Hydrangea and blue are children’s theme party shop owner Wendy Cole’s favorite flower and color. “I know it makes no sense,” she said. Her approach is bringing several hours of fun to children celebrating a birthday or just enjoying a St Patrick’s Day party. Party planning is part of Ms Cole’s professional background, and now the young residents can benefit. Hydrangea Blue opened in early March and has already hosted young revelers.

“I have been in the event business for 15 years…I did a lot of catering and planning for adults and I thought this would be a great opportunity for children, it would be fun,” she said. The interior of her 115 South Main Street storefront is decorated with vibrant colors and images done by Painted Bungalow owner Diana Baxter, a decorative artist and designer who also shares space and activity time in the building.

Young Hydrangea Blue guests can turn into a diva or rock star for a day, role play at a masquerade, indulge in a Picasso workshop, become an American idol, or help design their own party. The large open room with a small stage, decorated walls, and central table dressed with party plates can transform for each occasion. The large play space is strewn with teddy bears, balloons, and party hats.

“This is fun for kids and different from a regular party,” said Ms Cole. “Each will be different and includes crafts and favors.” She has had a great response from the kids, she said. Parents can also appreciate some details in Hydrangea Blue. All party invitations, favors, and thank-you notes are arranged, “All you need to do is make the guest list…” according to one brochure. Just select a birthday theme and what Ms Cole believes will be a memorable party will follow. Call 426-6276.

An adjoining room offers a place for adults to sit and sip tea or watch their children blow out the birthday candles. The added room is also a space that will be used for programming, for workshops, or small groups to meet.