TIFTON, Ga. (WALB) — A Tifton business built to give busy parents a break is shutting its doors after roughly 15 months, but its owner says she hopes it does not end there.

Noah’s PlayGrounds Play Cafe will close at the end of May, owner Jennalee Keys announced Wednesday, May 13. Keys says she’s had a couple of interests in someone else taking over the business, and she is holding out hope it stays open under new ownership.

“I would much rather someone take it over and still provide this opportunity for the community to come and have another experience,” Keys said. “And if it closes, that’s something that’s taken away from them, that they could have taken the opportunity to enjoy and have a place to go with their kids, especially out of the heat of the summer.”

Keys, a grandmother, opened the indoor play and childcare café in early 2025 after noticing her grandchildren had no safe, local indoor play options. Her concept was to let kids play in a structured, enclosed space while parents caught up on work or simply took a breath.

The café quickly became more than a play space. Keys described watching mothers — many of them strangers — pull each other into their circles, sit down, and talk.

“Those are the moments that made my heart just sing,” she said. “That was my purpose of opening this up, to help people grow and get that community feeling where they’re not alone.”

Keys said the decision to close was driven by personal reasons and wasn’t easy. She described going back and forth. Some nights she was convinced the business would stay open, only to wake up the next morning knowing it was time to move on.

Keys said the café drew visitors from across the region. She recalled an Albany family that made the drive once a month and the kids would play while the husband explored downtown Tifton’s other shops.

>>READ MORE: Tifton grandmother creates business designed to assist busy parents <<

“This was their trip,” Keys said. “You just make these little bonds with people that just walk in. And they change your life.”

She said running a small business has its challenges. “This is not the same place I opened with,” Keys said. “It totally grew. When I would see things that didn’t work, I would try something else. You just have to think ahead, know your bills, know your budget, and keep asking what people are going to like.”

She added that downtown Tifton’s small businesses lean on each other.

“We really try to collaborate and support each other because we all have the same struggle,” Keys said. “But places like here, I tried to create not just a product, but an experience that will stick out in your memory.”

What families need to know

• Open play continues through the end of May. 
• Birthday parties are still on for May 16 and May 23, but parties booked after May will be contacted individually about cancellations.
• Toys, play items, and shop pieces will be available for purchase after the final party — if the business is not taken over by a new owner.

‘Thank you for filling this space with laughter’

In her closing announcement, Keys wrote:

“Watching friendships form and seeing your children grow has meant more than I can say... Thank you for filling this space with laughter and memories. It has truly been special.”

Anyone interested in taking over Noah’s PlayGrounds Play Cafe is encouraged to reach out to Keys directly.

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