New Indoor Children's 'Play Studio' Approved In West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Recent action by the local zoning board has paved the way for West Hartford to have a new place where parents can take their small children to play.

The West Hartford Town Plan and Zoning Commission, on April 6, unanimously approved a special use permit for a new children’s indoor play space at 2523 Albany Ave.

The application, submitted by Sojung Jacobskind on behalf of Bishops Corner Realty, allows “Little Wanderers,” a sensory-focused indoor playground and café for children ages 0 to 7.

The commission voted 5-0 to approve the permit, with a motion by Commissioner Andrea Gomes and a second by Vice Chair Gordon Binkhorst. Chair Kevin Ahern and Commissioners Josh Kaplan and Liz Gillette also voted in favor.

Project details

Little Wanderers will occupy about 3,500 square feet and include sensory-based play areas, seating for parents, and rooms for small private events such as birthday parties and baby showers.

According to the application, the facility will:

• Serve up to 20 children at a time, with an average of 25 daily
• Offer classes for children and adults
• Provide summer camps for children ages 3 and older, running weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon between June and August
• Sell bottled drinks, coffee, and prepackaged snacks from local vendors

The camps will last no more than four hours and will not provide food.

Commission findings and conditions

In approving the permit, the commission found the proposal meets zoning standards for compatibility with the surrounding district, including traffic access, parking, and site design.

The approval includes several conditions:

• All submitted plans are incorporated into the approval process.
• The space cannot open until all building, fire, and health permits are secured.
• A final inspection by the Planning Division is required before a certificate of occupancy is issued.
• The applicant must return to the commission by May 2028 for a follow-up review, at which time additional conditions may be imposed if needed.

The business must complete permitting and inspections before opening.

While initially targeting an April launch, the applicant now plans to open the facility this summer.

For the minutes of the April 6 West Hartford Plan and Zoning Commission meeting, click on this link.

From March 12: 'New Kids’ Indoor Playground Proposed In West Hartford'