Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Crews.
Hi Crystal, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Crystal Crews. I’m a married mom of three kids (8, 14 and 16). I ran an in-home daycare for many years while my kids were little. Once all three of my kids were in school, I decided I was ready for a change. I knew I still wanted to work with kids in different capacity. My next business (Ms. Crystal’s Makerspace) started as a kids arts and crafts pop-up at local businesses and farmers markets. In February of 2025, I opened my brick and mortar, Macklind Make & Play. What started as a simple arts and crafts table has trasformed into a full art and play studio. We have imaginary play, a builders station, a sensory room and a full makerspace. We welcome families with kids of all ages to come play, explore, and create!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think business ownership always comes with some challenges, lol. I worked with the St. Louis Public Library and their small business resourse center along with SCORE, a non-profit business mentorship program, to help navagate the steps for getting started. I recommend this to anyone thinking of starting a business! The opening process went suprisingly smooth, and our neighborhood support has been amazing. Our biggest challenge since opening has been learning to navagate social media and expand our customer base outside of the South Hampton area.
As you know, we’re big fans of Macklind Make & Play. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Macklind Make & Play is an indoor art and play space located in South Saint Louis. We have a wide variety of imaginative play, building and STEM toys, a sensory bin room and a full art space. Our space is specially designed to cater to families with children of all ages. You pay the enterence fee and stay as long as you’d like. Anything you make in the art space you get to take with you! At Macklind Make & Play we embrase the mess that comes with letting kids be creative without the stress of it being in your home.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
We are open 7 days a week and offer private party bookings on weekends. We are located nextdoor to Espresso Yourself Coffee and Cafe. You can order food and drink from our space, and they deliver it right to you. We are very commited to building community and offer free events throughout the year.
Pricing:
- $13.50+tax for one child
- $12.00+tax for each sibling (crawlers and younger are free with a paid admission)
- Prepaid passes: 5 plays for $60+tax
- Prepaid passes: 10 plays for $115+tax
- $350.00+tax for a 2 hour private party rental
Contact Info:
- Website: https://macklindmakeplay.com
- Instagram: mscrystalsmakerspace
- Facebook: mscrystalsmakerspace
