A Dream Years in the Making: Why We’re Opening Happy Days Play Café in Vestal, NY

Hi, I’m Kelsey Morgan, founder of Happy Days Play Café, and I’m so excited to finally share the story behind our upcoming indoor play café for families with children ages 0–7 right here in Vestal, New York.

This space has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember — quite literally. I’ve been sketching business plans and imagining family-friendly spaces since I was about 10 years old, and today, that lifelong dream is becoming reality.

Rooted in Vestal, Built for Families

I grew up in Vestal, and raising my own children here has only deepened my love for this community. My husband, Connor Thompson, is a meteorologist at WBNG, and together we’re raising two little boys — one born in 2022 and our youngest who joined us in April 2025.

Becoming a mom completely reshaped how I saw our community. I was constantly searching for a place that felt:

• Clean and safe for little ones

• Calm and welcoming for parents

• Bright, happy, and thoughtfully designed

And I kept thinking… why doesn’t this exist here yet?

What Is Happy Days Play Café?

A thoughtfully designed indoor play space for young children, centered around structured fun, themed experiences, and meaningful connection.

Enjoy:

• Quality coffee for parents

• Lotus energy drinks

• Kid-friendly lemonades

• A bright, happy environment designed to bring families together

This isn’t about chaos or overstimulation — it’s about joyful, guided play through birthday parties, themed events, and enriching classes like baby-wearing Zumba and parent-child activities, all in a space that feels good for everyone.

Giving Back to the Community That Raised Me

Opening Happy Days in Vestal means everything to me. This is the town that raised me, and now I get to give back by creating a space that supports local families, caregivers, and kids during some of the most important years of their lives.

We’re currently in the final stages of the approval process and are waiting on zoning approval and a building permit. While the waiting isn’t easy, we’re incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement we’ve already received from the community.

What’s Next?

While we wait for zoning approval, we’re continuing to:

• Design a safe, engaging play environment

• Plan programming and special events

• Build partnerships with local families and businesses

We cannot wait to open our doors and welcome you in.

If you’re a parent looking for an indoor play café in Vestal, NY, a calm place to meet friends, or somewhere your child can play while you enjoy a coffee — Happy Days is coming soon, and we can’t wait to meet you.✨ Your Happy Days start here. ✨