Big news at the Mendenhall Mall: Rainforest Play Zone has officially found its forever family.
Please join us in welcoming Jennie, the new owner of The Play Zone. This transition is more than just a business handoff. It is a story of timing, trust, faith, and community.
A Space with History
The Play Zone has been a beloved part of Juneau family life for years. When the original owners decided it was time to sell, Mendenhall Mall owners Patsy and Kim knew the community could not afford to lose such an important resource. They stepped up, purchased the business, and moved it into a new location within the mall. Their vision was to keep the space alive and thriving until the right person came along to take the reins. They wanted families to continue enjoying the Play Zone, and to ensure it would one day be a turnkey opportunity ready for the perfect new owner.
Enter Jennie
It all began with a haircut. While chatting with her stylist Amber, Jennie learned through the grapevine (via Patsy’s aunt) that the Play Zone was looking for a new owner. In the middle of a trim, Amber casually said, “You should buy the Play Zone.” That offhand comment lit a spark.
For Jennie, the timing could not have been more perfect. “Working with seniors and children has been an honor and a privilege,” she shared. “It is how we care for both that reflects our community’s values. I believe when one door closes, you should be looking for the door that God will be opening next.” That door turned out to be the bright, joy-filled one at The Play Zone.
As a homeschooling mom of four teens, Jennie’s heart is in nurturing the future, both her own family’s and Juneau’s. Her daughter Gracie, 14, recently completed the Safe Sitter program and is eager to start her first job playing with and caring for little ones at The Play Zone. For Jennie, this is more than a business venture; it is a chance to build something lasting with her family, and perhaps even pass it down one day.
A Vision for the Future
Her dreams for the Play Zone are ambitious and exciting:
- After-School Camps inspired by the recent Rally program closure
- Local partnerships with Lupine, Bloom, Windsong Musik, and others for themed programming
- Movie nights where kids can “drive in”
- A revamped website with memberships and camp signups
- Above all, a space that is safe, fun, and filled with joy
“I want families to feel excited and welcomed, comfortable and accepted, listened to and heard,” Jennie said.
We could not be happier to see Rainforest Play Zone begin this new chapter under Jennie’s care. Thanks to Patsy and Kim’s stewardship, the Play Zone was preserved for the right moment, and now it is truly home. Please join us in welcoming Jennie and her family as they bring fresh energy and big dreams to one of the mall’s most beloved spaces.