Karin Resing said when moms walk into her Village Bean cafe and coffee shop, there’s usually a little one in tow, either holding that mom’s hand or hanging onto a leg.
“There’s always an exchange about what they want,” Resing said.
Then, while mom waits at the counter, the young ones quickly head off to the train table, or one of the magnetic walls, or maybe the play kitchen.
In any case, their disappearance from mom’s side is kind of the idea behind the Village Bean, which, located inside Bothell’s Country Village, is celebrating its first anniversary this month.
Resing said she grew up in Bothell, dreaming of someday opening a cafe or restaurant. She said on family trips she would sit in the back of the car playing with recipes.
As she grew older and had a daughter of her own, Resing said she began to notice there aren’t many places in the Bothell area where families could go together and relax. She wanted a spot where a mom or a family out and about could stop and all ages involved could enjoy themselves: parents with a nice latte, for example, while the kids could do what kids do.
“I just didn’t want a cubby hole with dirty plastic toys,” Resing added regarding the Village Bean’s various amenities.
Naturally, Resing is pleased kids feel comfortable enough at her shop to run off and play; she’s even more pleased that moms are comfortable letting them do so. She added the store can get a bit noisy, and that’s fine with her and, apparently, with her customers.
“Moms just kind of talk over it,” Resing said regarding the shouts and squeals of children playing.
Besides the toys and so on, Resing’s menu also, probably predictably, caters to families and kids. There are plenty of the usual coffee-house choices, such as espresso and so on. Resing said all the food is fresh made and there are various adult-sized sandwiches, with the turkey berry being probably the most popular.
There’s also an entire menu section labeled “Especially for Kids.” Beverage choices include milk, hot chocolate and steamers: steamed milk with flavoring. For munchies, there are kid-sized sandwiches served with carrot sticks and apple sauce. Items such as string cheese and fishy crackers are also available. Resing said she definitely wanted choices that were healthier than muffins bigger than an adult’s hand.
Are people surprised when they walk into the Village Bean and realize it’s not your typical coffee shop with quiet music and subdued lighting?
According to Resing, some visitors might raise an eyebrow at the noise or the sight of children running around. But she added that if someone is looking for a more quiet spot, there is an area off to the side with padded leather chairs. Visitors can also sit outside if the weather is cooperating. Still, in most cases, Resing believes parents, especially moms, seek the spot out, learning about it mostly through word of mouth.
“We don’t have a lot of dads, but we’re starting to see more and more of them,” Resing added.
“It’s a great place,” said customer Jenny Jacobsen, who was visiting with daughter Kayla, 4.
She said there aren’t a lot of places where parents and kids can hang out and all feel comfortable.
“And the food is really good, too,” Jacobsen said twice in the course of a short conversation.
Prior to opening the Village Bean, Resing and her sister ran a gift shop in Country Village. She and husband, Rob Resing, have also run Chapters Photography with a studio in County Village for many years. That business just moved into an expanded location, though still in Country Village. Taken by Rob Resing, photos of Libby Resing, 8, decorate one wall of the Village Bean.
Karin Resing noted that like many small business owners, she spends seven days a week at her shop. She’s more than comfortable with that fact.
“I love cooking, I love food, I love kids,” Resing said. “They are just the most neat people to be around.”
