Squamish is losing an indoor recreation option for local kids.
On its Facebook page, Squishy’s Family Fun Zone announced that the business would close permanently as of Sept. 15.
Owner Rachael Lopez, who opened the indoor playground in November 2015, said the reduced capacity because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic was too much to overcome, especially considering how difficult it is to implement physical-distancing protocols for such a venture.
“I can’t maintain this type of rent and not make the revenue that I did before. The numbers for COVID started going up again and I didn’t see any possible way of keeping it going,” she said.
Lopez attempted to navigate the pandemic as responsibly as possible, closing her doors on March 9 as a precaution. Days later, she received notice of a rent increase, which was later rescinded.
“At that point, it was a bit discouraging and I had to think about a new business model and how I could make it work,” she said. “Every different avenue didn’t look promising.
“When things started reopening, I realized that it wasn’t a space that could be used to the full extent that it was before. I could never have those busy Saturdays where it was raining and have it full of kids.”
The property management company, Rossano Property Management Group, says that it offered Squishy’s a lease extension at its original rate in June. Asked twice via email to confirm that it had raised the rent in March, the company, through a spokesperson for building owner Solterra Development Corp., did not answer the question. Through the spokesperson, it offered a statement.
“In June 2020, due to the progression of COVID-19, Squishy’s was offered a lease extension with no rent increase. In addition, we participated in all government funding programs and landlord assistance programs that were available in effort to keep Squishy’s doors open. Unfortunately, Squishy’s required more assistance than the government and landlord could provide and it was at this point where Squishy’s decided not to renew or extend their lease,” the statement reads.
While there was some government rent relief available, tapping into other programs, such as Canada Emergency Business Account loans, would just add to Lopez’s debt load.
The Rossano statement said it is not currently listing the property for lease, though the Eaglewind Boulevard unit is now up for sale, and Lopez has hopes the purchaser will keep the structure to create a safe space for children to continue to play. Neither Rossano nor Solterra commented on what the future might hold for the structure.
Since announcing the closure, Lopez has heard from several members of the community and knows the impact the business had on local kids.
“I had an outpouring of love and kind words. It will be greatly missed. The community will feel it,” she said. “I’ve made a lot of good friends over the years at Squishy’s. I’ve seen kids grow.
“The community has definitely reached out and extended their disappointment and sadness.”
As a single mom of three children, Lopez will head back into the workforce.
Neighbouring business Happimess is sorry to see Squishy’s go.
Owners Marcus Monopoli and Dalia Shehata have become good friends with Lopez in the roughly four years they’ve operated near one another.
The duo, who host art classes for children, got good vibes from Lopez right from the start.
“She’s an amazing person and she’s very kind-hearted,” Shehata said.
“She was our biggest supporter and anyone who came through Squishy’s heard about Happimess.”
Monopoli said Happimess is also facing challenges with reduced capacity but 100% of expenses.
“Right now, it depends what’s happening with school. Our after-school program is one of our biggest draws, and right now, a lot of parents are apprehensive about school altogether,” he said. “We’re going to keep our numbers low, but we have a lot of parents not returning because they’re in the same financial straits.
“They can’t afford after-school or they don’t require after-school.”
As well, seeing the Squishy’s space up for sale makes the duo wonder about whether they’ll be in their location long-term, as their lease is up in two years.
“We’ll see what works out in the next couple years,” Monopoli said.
