This weekend Tiny Tots Play Centre opened to the public by announcing their grand opening at 8:30 a.m. through their Facebook page.
The Facebook post included a short message and a few small sneak preview photos, exclaiming: “This morning, on Saturday, Jan. the 28 at 10 a.m. we are having our grand opening! We are so pumped and ready to play all day!”
There had been no prior warning or advertising about opening day, but by 10 a.m. there was a line-up outside of 66 Arrow Road, with parents and children ready to storm the doors and see what adventures were waiting.
Gwen Miner, owner of Tiny Town, is supporting the dream and vision of her daughter Marley Miner, who created the imaginative play space and runs the centre.
Tiny Town is bright and spacious, with both an upstairs and a downstairs, and plenty of imaginative play in every corner. The main floor contains the Tiny Town, with wooden structures built to represent a tiny community, complete with hair salon, fire station, and a tiny house.
Upstairs is a wide open space, complete with a stage ready for tiny performances, an ice cream stand, a shopping centre, and a tiny RV for camping.
No detail has been left unfinished. The fire truck, which Marley built after a $1,000 pre-ordered shipment wasn’t delivered, was built using scrap wood and cost a mere $100. There’s even a map of the Tiny Town on the fire truck, complete for little girls’ and boys’ imaginations to run wild.
Marley explained that her dream to build a little village was sparked when she was on a trip to Ottawa with her class during the 8th Grade. She visited a small recreated historic village, and felt her own childhood imagination run wild in the creative setting.
It took many years for her dream to become a reality, and after having two children of her own, she realized it was time to bring her tiny town to life.
After years of searching for a space to bring her dream to life, Marley was ready to throw in the towel and give up, but decided to look at one final potential building. It turned out to be perfect, and after two months and nearly 2,000 hours of hard work, the play centre was ready to be played in.
Marley and Gwen both worked tirelessly over the months leading up to this weekend’s grand opening, and with a small team of family and friends they were able to build their dream tiny village.
“I think it’s a wonderful vision, and it’s something that Guelph needs,” said Miner.
Parents will find the space is clean and well-organized. There is a bathroom on each floor, complete with a tiny toilet seat and a changing station. The Miner family is welcoming, even offering children a chocolate chip cookie when they leave (after asking Mom or Dad’s permission of course).
Tiny Town is also offering birthday parties, with every detail planned and organized for parents’ convenience.
Visit the Tiny Town website for details.
Price for admission is $10 (tax included) per child; parents, guardians, and pre-walkers are free.
Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
