Heather Mariano

LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- Heather Mariano hopes her new Play Grounds will solve new parents' need to socialize where their kids can play freely.

Her cleverly named cafe is a family-focused space where parents can chat and connect at two-top tables and in cozy armchairs while kids play within eyesight.

Mariano, who has two kids under the age of five, said that initially parenthood can feel isolating.

"I used to take my son to coffee shops when he was a baby, but it gets to a point where you can go for maybe five, ten minutes before you start getting dirty looks from people trying to get work done, which is understandable but there isn't really a place like this for moms, dads, grandparents, nannies alike in Cleveland."

Over the past year and a half, while juggling childcare for 4-year-old Leo and 2-year-old Fiona with the help of her husband David and a part-time babysitter, Mariano brought her idea to life.

The long, narrow space houses a white and grey marbled bar with shiny new appliances that will brew Phoenix Coffee, a regional favorite which closed its storefront in Lakewood years ago. The cafe will also offer juice, tea and snacks.

The play area at Play Grounds (Heather Mariano)

The fort area in the back of the store holds the play kitchen, a train table, an easel and a dollhouse, among other toys.

Mariano is a first-time business owner, previously working as a project manager at Go Media in Ohio City. A Lakewood resident for the past 3 1/2 years, she wanted to open the cafe because the business is a good fit for the community, she said.

She looked at number of families, how walkable the city was, population density and other factors before deciding to open the business there.

"Living here I knew it would be well received, (there's a) need there," Mariano said. "There's a few places parents can go but there's definitely a need."

Now it's open, met with fanfare on the shop's Facebook page.

In 2016, her idea won the Start up Lakewood Ideation challenge, an incubator for area businesses. Mariano won a customized website in the competition, along with other networking opportunities and prizes such as free legal consultation.

She said connections have been key to starting her business.

"As women we have to fight a little bit harder to do something like this, but connect with other women who are doing similar things or have done similar things because pretty much everybody is really trying to help. If you encounter any pushback as a woman, move along because there's somebody else who will help you."

Play Grounds is located at 15715 Madison Avenue, and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.