Local parents mourned the loss of an unusual local resource when Play! Los Altos, one of the area’s premier children’s play spaces, had closed. News of the closure spread via the parenting blog Silicon Valley Toddler and elsewhere within hours of the announcement last week. Families from Los Altos, Mountain View and around the region weighed in to regret the loss of a “creative” space at the same time they lamented its reputation for pricey entrance fees.
Play! Los Altos representatives announced July 17 that they were closing their 170 State St. location, effective immediately.
“Dear Play! friends,” wrote manager Ingrid Echter in a Facebook post, “we are sorry to announce that Play! is no longer in business.”
Echter said the business was closing because the property owner, Los Altos Community Investments (LACI), is beginning renovations on the large State Street complex that also houses Fina Boutique and Kiwi Crate.
“As LACI continues to work toward our goal of fostering vibrancy and inclusivity in downtown Los Altos, we have restarted the renovation and redesign of 170 State Street,” the Facebook post said. “Because preliminary work will soon commence, it means we need to start the process of vacating the property so contractors and others can freely access the premises.”
Echter’s update was removed hours after it was posted, but a LACI representative confirmed the news in a statement to the Town Crier.
“We’ve launched a renovation plan for the building,” said Robert Hindman, head of real estate investment and development for LACI. “Given its size and location, we feel the building has the potential to become a much needed attraction and gathering space in downtown Los Altos.”
Hindman said the next step is a study of potential options for the space.
“The initial phase of the project is an in-depth feasibility study, which our development manager is currently undertaking,” he said. “We have also started the selection process for our project architects.”
Hindman said families who purchased passes or made reservations for parties at Play! will be compensated.
“Play! customers are being offered full refunds for unused Play! passes, and booked parties are being rebooked at Bumble restaurant at no charge to the partygoers,” he said. “We look forward to updating the downtown Los Altos community on our plans in the coming months.”
LACI also is working on a proposed 70,000-square-foot office building and village plaza on First Street. Approximately 1,000 feet separate the two projects.
Kiwi Crate will remain open during the feasibility study despite being located next door to Play! Fina Boutique was closed July 17-24 but is expected to reopen after the Town Crier’s Monday press deadline.
Play! had established a loyal clientele over its five years in business. Like Area 151 and Kiwi Crate – both also LACI tenants – the play space was popular with local families. Parents seeking a replacement now have to head out of town, to Wund3rkid in Palo Alto, or Whimsy in Saratoga, as their nearest options.
