As we work behind the scenes, inching closer toward opening our doors, we wanted to give you an idea of who we are and the heart (and struggle) behind crafting the Hümanette experience. From inception to brainstorming sessions, design choices to taste tests, every step has been infused with love and dedication to create a space where families can thrive and play. So, grab a cup of coffee (or juice box) and join us as we pull back the curtain a bit on the making of Hümanette.
It started with a simple yet powerful idea, born out of new-mom desperation: to create a space where families could come together to connect, recharge, and take a beat-- together. As new parents, we found ourselves mourning small, simple aspects of our former lives. It felt impossible to balance our desire to get out of the house, do the things we enjoyed (a great latte, adult conversation) with what our kiddos loved doing (running, jumping, climbing...). Add that to the already daunting challenge of balancing our careers, relationships, and general life obligations with the demands parenthood... It was isolating, and certainly wasn't doing anything good for our mental health. But we also realized, if we felt this way, there's no way we were the only ones. We wanted to build a place where parents could feel at ease, knowing their children are engaged and happy, while they take a moment for themselves and felt a little more human.
With the vision in mind, we dove headfirst into designing the physical space of Hümanette. It's been a long road, but every corner (or rather, curve, where possible - if you know, you know), every color choice, and every piece of furniture has been carefully selected to create an environment that is both inviting and engaging for children, yet comfortable and practical for parents. Plans have been poured over and reworked (and reworked). From cozy reading nooks to the creative, inspiring play areas, we wanted to ensure that Hümanette feels like a second home for families. We never want parents to feel like the space - or environment - is too precious for their children to be themselves. Because is there anything worse than trying to enjoy yourself while policing your toddler's every movement? Or apologizing to the other (child-free) customers for your kids being... just normal kids?
At Hümanette, we believe in the power of play to ignite imagination and foster creativity. That's why we try to infuse playfulness into every aspect of our space, from the whimsical colors and playful design surprises, to the interactive installations. We want children to feel inspired to explore, create, and make memories, while parents can relax and enjoy the moment.
In building Hümanette, we knew it would be easy to just become another play place. But our inspiration comes from that longing for a place to feel like yourself - your new parent self. We won't deny it - this parenting gig isn't easy; that's why our vision for Hümanette is as a community hub where families can come together to connect and support one another. We've envisioned Hümanette as a place where friendships are formed, memories are made, and laughter fills the air. Our goal is to create a welcoming environment where every family feels like they belong.
As our team continues to work tirelessly behind the scenes, preparing for the day - soon! - when we can finally open our doors and welcome you to Hümanette, we want you to get to know us and what we're about. We hope this glimpse into our journey has brought you closer to understanding the heart and soul behind the Hümanette experience. Thank you for joining us on this adventure, and we can't wait to get to know each of you.
-Jamie & Claire