For those Clamoring for Business Aimed at Children, City Residents Opening Sizable Clarksburg Facility
By Jeff Toquinto on January 30, 2024
A Bridgeport couple new to the community is already doing their part to make the area a more fun place for children. Bita Mehrpour and her husband Daniel, who relocated here from New York, will soon be opening a massive children’s play place in Clarksburg.
Bita Mehrpour said they hope to open the 8,000 square foot business – Ella’s Playtown – hopefully in March. It is named after Bita and Daniel Mehrpour’s 4-year-old daughter Ella.
The indoor playground at the Eastpointe Plaza will be in the location of the former Hometown Marketplace. The site sits between Michael’s 
and Jack’s Furniture.
and Jack’s Furniture.
“This will be a place for children to come inside with their families and friends and have fun. They will be playing, but there will also be an emphasis on learning,” said Bita.
Initially, the hope was to have the facility open in February. However, as has been the case for the last few years, there have been a few unexpected hurdles.
One of the centerpieces of the facility will be a massive play structure – similar to what you see at some area Burger King’s and McDonald’s – that will be utilized. The structure, which is being imported, is dealing with issues stemming from the past COVID pandemic and even customs, Bita said.
“If it becomes too much of a delay, we’ll go ahead and open and then close down for the two weeks needed to put it together,” she said.
Unlike most businesses at Eastpointe, individuals will not be able to come in and look around. To keep the environment safe with so many children, those paying will be the ones allowed in.
“When you first walk in there will be registers on the right and a toy store on the left,” said Bita. “With kids the centerpiece, you can’t have random people walking in and around. We’ll require payment in advance to enjoy the establishment.”
The massive building will have several sections. There will be five classroom settings – three to the right and two to the left – after coming in. On Mondays through Fridays, a variety of ages will be able to enjoy Mommy and Me classes. On the weekends, including Friday, the rooms will be utilized for birthday parties.
After that, restroom facilities will be available as well as a café. Bita said food will not be prepared on site.
“The items we’ll have will be pre-packaged foods,” she said.
After that, a room will be in place to park strollers, hang up coats, and put away your shoes. You do this as you enter Ella’s Playtown. Playtown, she said, will be little cubicles based on businesses that get into agreements with them for a little smalltown feel.
“The first cubicle will be East of Chicago Pizza,” she said. “It’s a little pizzeria where kids will go in and have fun.”
There will be other businesses represented. Bita said there will be a realtor’s office set up like a home, a car business, a bakery, and a little ice cream shop, and much more.
Things do not end there. The massive room that follows will eventually house the play structure the family is waiting for. And then there is the final room.
“There will be face painting and balloons. Every kid coming in will get a face painting if they want and as they leave, they will get a balloon,” Bita said. “The goal is to make it a magical experience for a kid to have a grand old time.”
Bita said there will be birthday packages offered along with other deals. You can keep up with their progress and other information by visiting their Facebook page by clicking HERE.
“People are really excited about this,” said Bita. “We’re hoping this will be a staple in the community for a long time.”
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