In the same way that freelancers are flocking to shared working spaces, stay-at-home moms are happy to find a third space that accommodates both them and their offspring. In London, private members clubs like Maggie & Rose and Cupcake Mom, offer mothers a place to convene and relax, where they're welcome to come and go as they please, 7 days a week.
Maggie & Rose, based in Kensington, features several play areas and offers children's lessons in art, cooking, dance and more, as well as a weekend movie club and birthday party services. Parents are catered to with a comfortable and quiet café (with wifi access, of course), as well as seminars and access to a family advisory service: "well researched info on nannies, tutors, schools, holidays, etc." Memberships are priced at GBP 500 per year.
Set to open in Wandsworth next month, Cupcake also aims to provide a grown-up but child-friendly environment. Its focus, however, is mainly on pregnant women and new mothers. In addition to a crèche and an organic café, Cupcake also offers personal trainers and a spa. The top floor of the club, where the spa is located, is a "baby-free zone" and features treatments tailor-made for pregnant women and new moms, from the "Cupcake in the Oven Massage" to the "Mermaid Wrap." Cupcake also plans to install a sleep pod for much-needed powernaps, and will offer a concierge service to help busy moms complete their to-do lists. Membership is GBP 149 per month. Founded by Karen Hastings, an American MBA graduate who lives in London, Cupcake is backed by Trapezia Capital, a UK venture fund that solely invests in women-led businesses. Hastings plans to open clubs in affluent areas across the country. We’re pretty sure British moms (and dads) aren’t the only parents who would gladly pay for access to a being space, a community of peers and the opportunity for some pampered me-time. Entrepreneurs across the world: start planning.
Website: www.maggieandrose.co.uk — www.cupcakemum.com
Contact: studio@maggieandrose.com — info@cupcakemum.com
Spotted by: Tamara Shand
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Actually, this does exist in New York. We worked with a membership club called Citibabes that caters to upscale moms. The look is very chic and urban mom-friendly. There's a fitness club and spa/salon on site so mom can get in a workout or get her nails done in the same place where her child can take a "Baby Beats" music class or "Pots and Pans" cooking class - even for 2-year-olds - or Taekwondo. There's also a seasonal, healthy menu at the cafe there, which is designed by their on-site nutritionist. It's brilliant.
This really makes a lot of sense and I am sure we will be seeing this in New York soon! The fact that it is a women only membership space makes a big difference. I run a collaborative workspace for women entrepreneurs (similar to some of the shared workspaces mentioned previously and above) but the distinction of women only has been a really be attractor. within our membership special interest groups focused on being a mom and business owner have started. the atmosphere is different from other co-ed places. members feel more inclined to reach out and collaborate with one another.
Adelaide Fives | March 27, 2008 1:08 PM