Sprout Playroom is a unique, eco-friendly, indoor playspace located in the South Loop neighborhood of Chicago. We are committed to providing a healthy and meaningful play experience for children by selecting only safe, sustainable and responsibly made toys and materials for our playspace. Sprout Playroom features recycled cork flooring, low VOC paint, reclaimed wood and is uniquely designed to utilize as much natural light as possible. Beyond our playspace, Sprout Playroom offers a multitude of workshops and classes to assist you in your quest to becoming a more eco-minded parent. Sprout Playroom also features a retail boutique which offers local, organic, fair trade, and recycled products and gifts for children and parents as well as a private event space for parties. We invite you to Love the Earth and Play!
As you can see by the picture below, they're actively working on their space and are shooting for a Spring 2012 opening.
(Hat tip: BT!)
(Images from Sprout Playroom Website and Facebook Page)
29 comments:
Wow, I think this is the worst new business concept I have ever heard. Will be amazed if this place stays in business 18 months.
Anon 8:39 - Tell that to Gymboree. Concerns about the business model would be dismissed with a visit to their location just off Roosevelt, which is always packed. I think this place will do very well.
I think this place will actually do well. The Sloop is full of young families without a space like this in the neighborhood.
Gymboree is in the Sloop, however, given the location across from Best Buy, there aren't a lot of people walking their with their kids.
If Sprout is focused on customer service the first couple of months, it could build a solid client base for years to come. This is the type of business that people will only try once if the experience is not up to standard.
Great news! I always wondered why there were no children's playrooms or boutiques in this hood when there are TONS of families. Places like this are what made bucktown such a massively popular place for young familes (and did wonders for my property value there!).
well slew, i guess time will tell. i stay with my original prediction. let's see what happens.
Sometimes I feel like most of you don't live here. Sprout is by St. Mary's, a place that packed with parents dropping off their little kids in the morning. Them kids need to do something during off hours/weekends.
At first, I thought this institution is affiliated with the Sprouts Academy Preschool in River North. Maybe not? Anyway, good to have something new, something different in the neighborhood.
As a parent I'm excited to see what Sprout is all about and I'm hoping they are open for play and classes on weekends. I would love to see more family friendly businesses (other than restaurants) in the sloop.
I'm no trademark expert, but aren't they asking for a nastygram from nbcuniversal?
why cater to the parents in this neighborhood when the parents generally do not cater to any other business around the s. loop? its the young adults and the 30 somethings that make this hood what it is. I personally wish all the parents moved to the burbs already
Josh, you're an ignorant moron.
Josh, I agree with you. You can add this place to the list of "occupied" but completely useless space. Others on that list include dog parks, groomers, Columbia college buildings, and storage facilities.
Joshy:
Wow. You are extremely misguided. Young parents (read "in their 30's") are the lifeblood of this neighborhood! If you can't see that, you're living under a rock.
umm...i can tell you that young parents are NOT he lifeblood. That is maybe the dumbest thing ever said on sloopin.
parents dont "run" the south loop, youre thinking of Orland Park. Why dont you try living over there.
"joshy"
Is that supposed to slight me? Grow up, i feel sorry for your children
Parents as "lifeblood"? I agree, Moms and Dads are such hipsters.
i love it when an anonymous coward gets roasted for saying stupid things......
i hate liberal fools
BOTH young adults and families make the South Loop what it is - a diverse neighborhood with restaurants, shopping, bars, and daycare facilities. It would be nice if comments on this site could help to enhance a sense of community rather than degrade people for their personal choices.
I'd hate to see what this place would be like without any young families.
The growth and enhancement of schools and parks in this neighborhood are the driving force behind the future of the south loop as a desireable hood. For example: the massive additions to the South Loop School and Jones College Prep and the construction of the brand-new Old St Mary's School.
Further, parks all over the sloop have childrens' play areas and are all jammed on nice days. Moreover, daycare centers are popping up and expanding all over the neighborhood.
Lastly, aren't we all "anonymous" on an internet blog?
"It would be nice if comments on this site could help to enhance a sense of community rather than degrade people for their personal choices."
Just thought that was worth repeating.
I am an advocate for Sprout.. but parents in the sloop need to get out more (too many home bodies in the sloop) and actually spend money at the restaurants, bars. I've said it before, get a babysitter, take your wife out for a date night DURING THE WEEKDAYS, it will keep you and our neighborhood striving.
Exactly, parents and even SOME of the married couples need to get out more especially during the winter. To be fair, I have to say that we do need better options as all of our breakfast places are doing fantastic along with Flo&Santos, Scout, Jimmy's, LouMalnati's, Reggie's, but we need some higher end furniture design stores, kids stores, better mid-range retail and wine/cheese, small tapas places. To say that families are the backbone of the sloop is true in that it creates a great neighborhood feel, but in reality you are spending your money on groceries and taxes just like everyone else regardless if they have kids or not. All of our money is supporting the schools and parks.
Again....its not a slight towards any families that might live in the south loop! But to say they are the lifeblood of the neighborhood is assinine.
Typical comments from typical people
When I chose the sloop to buy (just recently), I liked the fact that it has a good mix of people. I don't have kids, but will in 3-4 years. I like the neighbood since it is a little quieter than most. I think having a great mix of retail is a good thing and helps the area grow. I don't want to see just restaurants and bars. We need other things to stimulate growth.
Also, while I'm talking about restaurants..does anyone know a great deli where I can get a soup,sandwhich for lunch sometime under 10 bucks? and please no jimmy johns or subway
@ Kid-less Anon:
Panozzo's.
Outside of River North and Streeterville, which are truely "downtown" hoods, all the great, thriving neighborhoods in Chicago (lincoln park, lakeview, logan square, bucktown/wicker park, andersonville, etc) are a mecca for families.
My recommendation to those of you who want all families to "move to the burbs": start shopping for condos on the gold coast; those grumpy old men of the viagra triangle don't like kids either. You will fit in perfectly!
Panozzo's is a true gem. Love that place.
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