A NEW initiative to bring families together with a major play element for young children to enjoy in safe and secure surroundings has been opened by a well-known British business owner.
Zebra Play Café Pastanesi is one of the first cafes in Didim to have an integrated play area for children up to the age of 11, wifi for teenagers and great drinks and freshly baked, home-made food for parents and residents to enjoy.
At the heart of Zebra, the brainchild of business owner and young mum-of-two Laura Bower Çetinkaya, is a fantastic play area designed for children, with cleanliness and safety in mind, while allowing parents space to keep an eye on them at all times.
Zebra has all round natural light, with both fresh air and air con available, regularly cleaned toilets, including one especially for children; a baby changing table and a kitchen. There is child-friendly staff, including a trained child minder on the premises.
Located just a short walk from The Box Bar, and round the corner from Valiler Primary School, the Café is open from 12 midday to 9pm seven days a week.
The café, which features handcrafted murals by artist Serpil, has already gone down a storm with local children using the facilities, while it is quickly becoming a main focal point for parents to host children’s birthday parties.
The play cost per child cost is 4.5TL for 30 minutes, but for two children or more it’s 3TL for 30 minutes per child.
Laura said the play area and café had been opened partly out of her frustration at the lack of facilities for her daughters, four-year-old Hulya and two-year-old Selvi.
“I wanted to open a café with a play area which was safe and secure for children and an ideal place for parents to relax and have a chat in quality surroundings,” said Laura. “Basically, a café with the family at its heart.”
Feedback from parents has already been overwhelmingly positive, said Laura, who with husband Hakan, runs The Flying Fish boat. “Those who know the top quality service and attention to detail on the Flying Fish will find it at Zebra.
“Many parents have told me they have been waiting for such a concept to come to Didim for a long time and now they have it, we have been overwhelmed by the Turkish and foreign community’s positivity towards it.”
Zebra will be holding beginner’s yoga classes on Mondays at 11am, and for the first time in Didim, pre and post-natal yoga classes on Fridays from 9.30am. 7TL per session.
Refreshments range from Turkish and herbal teas to water and fruit juice, as well as fresh filter coffee, cappuccinos and smoothies. Homemade cakes and treats, such as apricot cake, mini zebra cupcakes, savory biscuits with dill, Lincolnshire sausage rolls (halal) and potato salad, are available, for hungry parents, children and residents.
For more details contact Laura on 0535 424 4661, email her: info@didimyachting.com or catch them on Facebook: Zebra Play Cafe Pastanesi