Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Simon.
Nicole, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
While briefly living in Dallas Texas, I frequented Play Street Museum. After moving back to St. Louis they began franchising. I decided to open Play Street Museum because I thought it was something missing from our market, and our children and community would enjoy it. Because Play Street is a small-scale museum, it makes it easier for young children to explore on their own, giving them a greater sense of independence. Kids are able to figure out things on their own instead of having their parents hover around them all the time. Parents can join in on the fun or sit back and relax and let their kiddos discover, imagine, and explore.
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?
It has had its moments that’s for sure. When opening, we ended up opening in the end of March, our original opening date was supposed to be beginning of February, but we had to wait for our SBA loan to be funded due to the government shutdown at that time. We felt like we were hitting our stride and then were forced to close our doors due to the pandemic. The last year has been difficult and emotionally draining. However, our sweet customers have helped us along the way by supporting us. We couldn’t have made it through without them and also our amazing landlords Cullinan who has helped support us through all of our changes over the last year. We are thankful now more and more people are coming to play and book birthday parties.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Play Street Museum?
A CHILDREN’S MUSEUM AND INDOOR PLAY AREA LETS IMAGINATIONS WANDER Play Street Museum is an interactive children’s museum and indoor play area purposefully designed to encourage a young child’s sense of independence, exploration, and creativity.
By narrowing the focus of our children’s museums and indoor play areas to the interests and imaginations of children eight and under, young explorers will discover educational exhibits and activities in a world specifically crafted just for them.
Because of our deliberate and manageable scale, kids are able to self navigate throughout the children’s museum and indoor play area to engage deeply in activities about which they are most interested and passionate. This freedom reinforces independence in the child and also has the benefit of creating a more relaxed and accommodating museum experience for the caregiver.
We offer playtime by walk-ins and reservations, special events like slime making or Santa and Pajamas, and birthday parties, where the whole museum is always yours for your private party!
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I think opening Play Street Museum into a new market is one of the largest risks I have ever taken. There is a lot on the line, and I loved it so much and was hoping the community would take to it like the Dallas Market had to their locations. I am glad I was able to open something like this for our community.
Contact Info:
- Email: nicolesimon@playstreetmuseum.com
- Website: https://stlouis.playstreetmuseum.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playstreetmuseum/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/psmstlouis
Image Credits
https://www.christinaschmidtphotos.com/
