‘Columbus needed this.’ Coffee shop expands to offer play cafe for kids
Angie and Mike Maldonado, owners of Midtown Coffee House, at 1342 13th St., wanted Columbus to have more family-friendly space that caters to culinary cravings and creative connections. Now, they have produced a solution.
Angie Maldonado spoke with the Ledger-Enquirer about their expansion and latest venture, a play café right next door: Little Village on 13th, which opened Aug. 7.
Little Village on 13th combines Midtown Coffee House with a Montessori-inspired indoor play space, making it a destination for parents and kids eager for more than an ordinary playground. Describing the environment, Maldonado emphasized the sophisticated yet approachable atmosphere.
“It is a place for families that includes a café,” she said. “We have food, drinks and seating areas for parents, and then a soft-play-style play area for kids. It’s low stimulation. Ours happen to be set up like a tiny town.”
Maldonado highlighted the sense of community fostered by the space, describing how Little Village is becoming a hub for parents, grandparents and friends to gather and connect over shared meals and experiences.
“Just like at Midtown [Coffee House], our goal was to build community in midtown, where we have a place where people can come and meet together,” she said. “Here is just that same concept but making it more specific to parents and families.”
The target audience for Little Village is children ages 2-7, but older children are also welcome, Maldonado said.
“We let parents decide because everyone knows their child best,” she said. “Some older kids have even enjoyed playing in here with their younger siblings.”
Memberships and day passes have been designed with busy families in mind, offering perks such as discounts on party catering and exclusive access to special events, all of which feature food by Midtown Coffee House’s kitchen.
“What we want is to have people coming regularly,” Maldonado said. “That goes back to the sense of community that we want to build. If they’re coming regularly, meeting with friends regularly, then that helps.”
Day passes are $14 for the first child and an additional $10 per sibling. Memberships range from $50 to $100 per month, depending on the number of children enrolled, according to the Little Village website.
Maldonado said the response from the community has confirmed the demand for such a space.
“That has been the main comment: ‘Columbus has needed this for so long,’” Maldonado said. “A lot of parents with kids this age have been to play cafés in other areas of the country, and Columbus really hasn’t had anything like this.”
Bitsy Dedwylder, project and program coordinator of MidTown Inc., which promotes the area’s businesses, noted the uniqueness of the Little Village on 13th.
“I don’t know anywhere else in Columbus where small children are provided with a safe space specifically designed for them to use their imagination in pretend play, while their parents enjoy coffee or lunch,” Dedwylder said in an email to the Ledger-Enquirer. “I can remember when my children were small, and if you had them with you to meet friends for lunch, you had to hurry up and eat and hope the kids didn’t get bored and restless. This gives parents time to linger and relax and know that their children are safe and self-entertained. It’s great for both parents and children.”
Little Village further entices its regulars with birthday party packages that come complete with themes, decorations, cleaning and an exclusive menu featuring Midtown Coffee House’s specialty cakes, cupcakes and savory bites. Details, such as tote bags for members and party perks, have been curated with the needs of parents and children in mind. Little Village also hosts monthly events, for which members get discounts, Maldonado said.
For more information about the Little Village on 13th, visit their website at thelittlevillageon13th.com.
This story was originally published December 23, 2025 at 5:00 AM.