The Children’s Village Café offers a unique experience for Lowell families

“The kids get to play and the moms get to enjoy their coffee. We have a sensory room, too; when the kids get over-stimulated and overwhelmed, a parent can take them into that room, a room with kinetic sand, rocking chairs, a swing, and a light table.”

By Bill Lee | contributing writer - 1/10/2024

There is a new café in Lowell, but it is a little from the norm. Yes, The Children’s Village Café, located in the Lowell Plaza at 505 West Main Street (next to Little Caesar’s Pizza), sells coffee and morning pastries like the others, but it also serves as a play area for children under the age of seven. It is a concept that has been taking root in places like Cascade and Grand Rapids, with the openings of Everplay Café in both cities.

The Children’s Village Café owner, Bisera Riordan, is hoping her shop will give some downtime to local mom’s and dad’s who are home with their small children.  Basically, for a small fee ($5.50 for two hours) you come in with your children and enjoy your coffee with other adults, while the children play together in the several play areas in the café. “The kids get to play and the moms get to enjoy their coffee. We have a sensory room, too; when the kids get over-stimulated and overwhelmed, a parent can take them into that room, a room with kinetic sand, rocking chairs, a swing, and a light table.”

The difference between Riordan’s café and others are the play areas, themselves. The whole front room is designed to replicate local shops and nature areas in Lowell Township. Inside, customers will find a miniature Fallasburg Bridge, Ability Weavers, Echo Salon, Balls Softee Cream, LoMi Dance Studio, The Lowell Fire Department, The Flat River Grill, Lowell Family Practice, Wittenbach/Wege Center, Akashic Room Yoga, Bettie’s Pages, Fish and Finn Outfitters, and Red Barn Market.  Each spot is a small station where the children can play with toys and other activities. “We’re trying to promote the town a little bit and helping the kids recognize some of the stores around here,” said Riordan.

After moving to Cascade from her native Bosnia, at the age of 12, Bisera Riordan graduated from Forest Hills Central High School. Since then, she has been working in the area in many capacities - including as a program manager at a mental health facility, an employee at Hope Network, and a sales associate for Keto products. Now, she is hoping that the Lowell community will come check-out The Children’s Village Café. Even those without children can enjoy the coffee and pastries and desserts made by the Paris Café on 28th Street. Also, they have a small toy store inside, in case children wish to play with new toys.  The café is open from 9 am to 1 pm, but will open in the afternoon for certain activities and classes. “Starting in January, we will offer some classes – sensory art class, baby sign language, STEM robotics (5-8 years olds),” said Riordan.

Redesigning the café has been a labor of love, for sure...heavy on the labor. “The building needed a ton of work and had not been updated since 1992,” said Riordan.  “It took almost six months to get the building ready – electric, plumbing; every week there was something that needed fixing.”

In the future, besides offering more classes, Riordan plans on acquiring a cider/wine license for evening events. In the end, she hopes people will come see her new business. “Things have been going well so far,” said Riordan. “It’s a lot of fun, so come and play, and the kids are having a good time.” For more information about The Children’s Village Café, you can find them on Facebook or call 616-828-6822.