Edgewater Playhouse, LLC | Application Preview
Edgewater Playhouse, LLC is seeking government grants to help pay off startup loans, hire staff, and expand its facilities in order to provide a wider range of programming for children. Founded by Jessica Skipitaris in June 2019, Edgewater Playhouse has emerged as a vital resource for early childhood activities in a neighborhood lacking such options.
The business faced significant challenges during the pandemic, not qualifying for many relief grants due to its unique niche. However, Jessica creatively adapted to keep the business afloat during closures, ultimately breaking even after five years. Despite this success, the funding is crucial for the business to sustain itself and provide a livelihood for its owner.
Edgewater Playhouse distinguishes itself from competitors such as the Chicago Park District and other local play facilities through its small size, which fosters deeper connections with families, a lower student-to-teacher ratio, and a more personalized environment. Jessica's vision is to create a welcoming space that feels like a home away from home, allowing children to build lasting friendships and continue their growth in a safe setting. Expanding into a larger facility will enable Edgewater Playhouse to offer more programs and serve the community better, preventing the neighborhood from losing such an important resource for families.
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General Information
Business Registration Number: 47-5556348
Location: Chicago, IL, United States
Length of Operation: 1-5
Number of Employees: 1-10 Employees
Annual Gross Income: $100k to $250k
Annual Gross Expense: $100k to $250k
Open to Loans: NO
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Funding Usage
To pay off startup loans
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Business Plan
*Pay off startup loans *Hire staff *Pay self! *Expand to larger location to offer more programming & create more jobs. Edgewater Playhouse is an early childhood activity studio offering classes and indoor play options in a neighborhood that doesn't have many other options. There were a few offerings with the park district, but recently those options have been removed. Families must travel outside of the neighborhood or even outside of the city to find other indoor activities. Edgewater Playhouse is a small, woman owned business, with one owner. That's me, Jessica Skipitaris. I opened the business in June of 2019. 21 months before the pandemic. I feel fortunate and proud to have made it to 5 years as a new business owner, running an early childhood recreational business, while 3 years of that time was in a pandemic. Due to the uncommon niche of a business that Edgewater Playhouse is, it did not qualify for most grants that were offered for pandemic relief. As a business in early childhood service where the whole point of the business is to offer classes and indoor play options, there was no option to deliver this service or offer it online. I had to get very creative to follow guidance and keep customers safe and happy after the 6 months that my business was closed due to pandemic safety guidance. I am fortunate, 5 years into the business to break even, but would really enjoy earning an income. Unfortunately, if the business doesn't head in the direction of providing an income for the owner, Edgewater Playhouse will be another small business that will have to close. Leaving this neighborhood with nowhere to go with their little ones. I have dreamed of opening a business since I was 12 years old. I cannot believe that I actually turned that dream into a reality. I have new dreams now to expand my business. My little ones who have been with me since the beginning are now aging out of the facility. They don't want to leave, but my space is just too small. My goal is to open a bigger space to offer programming for all ages crawlers through teens. How cool would it be to offer a space for kiddos to come to for their whole childhood?! I would love to offer a space that truly feels like a home away from home for them. To feel accepted, to gain friendships, to have a safe place to call theirs.
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Self Identified Competition
1) The Chicago Park District. They are a competitor because they offer indoor activities for children all over the city at a very low price that no small business can compete with. 2) Little Beans Cafe' in Evanston. I once did not see them as a competitor because their primary business is a play-cafe. My primary business is gymnastics classes. But they too had to modify their business plan with the pandemic, and they now offer classes and just added gymnastics classes to their programs. 3) The Little Gym. They are a competitor because they offer gymnastics classes in a small gym in a nearby neighborhood. 1) We are different than the Chicago Park District because we are small. Being a small business allows us to keep our student-to-teacher ratio low. It allows us to keep our facility clean. It allows us to keep up with maintenance to keep our facility safe. 2) Our small size also allows us to differ from Little Beans. We are not just a play space that kids go to when they need something to do. We are like family. We get to know all of our guests and are so fortunate to gain lasting relationships. Genuine connections are made between staff, parents, and with the little ones who spend time with us. I have just recently had the opportunity to hire instructors. I am no longer the only teacher! The other day a parent contacted me via text and said, "It is weird to be here when you are not here. It's like you aren't home." Coming to Edgewater Playhouse is like visiting a friend's home. It's not just a big play space. 3) We differ from the Little Gym because we are a small, local, woman owned business. The owner creates the lesson plans. The owner teaches classes. The owner is present for birthday parties and special events. The Little Gym is a franchise.
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Contact Applicant
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