Jennie’s Playhouse | Jennifer, Founder

Sometimes the path to entrepreneurship begins with a carefully crafted business plan. Other times, it grows from a simple idea and the determination to keep going when circumstances change.

For Jennifer, founder of Jennie’s Playhouse, the journey began in 2017 with a side business renting bounce houses for local events. What started as a small weekend venture quickly revealed a bigger opportunity. Through networking, she was approached by the Mesa Mall about creating an indoor play space for families.

At the time, Jennifer was working full-time and supporting her family, making the idea feel out of reach. But in early 2019, when the job she had held for more than a decade unexpectedly ended, the timing shifted. Instead of searching for another traditional role, she decided to pursue the opportunity and bring her idea to life.

Jennie’s Playhouse opened in the mall with bounce houses and a small area for imaginative play. Almost immediately, something unexpected happened. While the bounce houses attracted attention, it was the pretend-play village, complete with child-sized buildings and interactive spaces, that became the heart of the experience.

Jennifer had designed the space based on what she had seen as a parent. Children, she believed, needed opportunities to explore, imagine, and interact with one another in ways that encouraged creativity and social connection. Families quickly responded, and the imaginative play area became Jennie’s Playhouse’s signature feature.

But the journey was far from simple.

Jennifer invested everything she had to build the business, even cashing out her retirement savings to get started. Then, just as the business was gaining momentum, COVID forced a shutdown. When the business eventually reopened, it continued to grow until another challenge emerged in early 2024, when corporate decisions at the mall ended Jennie’s Playhouse’s lease.

Suddenly, the business was closed with no location and limited financial reserves to restart.

Determined not to give up, Jennifer connected with the Business Incubator Center, where advisors helped her explore financing options and develop a plan to reopen. With support from the Business Funding and Loans at the Business Incubator Center, she secured the capital needed to sign a new lease and begin building again.

The road back wasn’t easy. A first location fell through after building requirements made renovation impossible. But Jennifer continued searching and eventually found a new home for Jennie’s Playhouse. Over the next several months, she personally completed much of the renovation work, tearing up flooring, rebuilding play structures, and recreating the imaginative town that had made the original space so special.

After 15 months closed, Jennie’s Playhouse reopened in its new location in 2025: 2830 North Ave, Grand Junction CO, 81501.

Today, the business employs several local staff members, including students balancing work and school, and continues to serve families across the community. Inside the play space, children run through tiny shops, diners, and houses, creating their own stories as they play.

For Jennifer, the mission remains simple: give children a place where imagination comes first.

“Kids’ minds are still so open,” she says. “If you show them that they can imagine and believe in something, they can make anything happen.”