BOWLING GREEN — Two businesses with a focus on families have recently opened in the city.
Refresh Toys in the Woodland Mall is offering a building-block birthday party experience, while the Millie downtown gives parents a space to work or enjoy a coffee while their children play under guided supervision.
Billy Seiling opened Refresh Toys on Jan. 28.
He initially wanted to open a retail store, but reconsidered doing that full time after his research showed he could not compete with online and big-box stores. Refresh Toys does have some LEGO items, including mini-figures, for sale.
Then, Mr. Seiling realized that he, his wife, and young kids spent most of their family excursion time outside of Bowling Green.
“We lived at the zoo all summer. We constantly have to go to Findlay or Perrysburg to do anything for little kids,” he said. “It didn’t really take that much of a financial commitment to open this place, and let’s do something and have a place for kids to have fun.”
Refresh Toys is only offering birthday parties right now, but Mr. Seiling said he hopes to offer open play times twice a week soon.