Humanette opens in Brookside providing coffee, play and companionship

By Jeanne Beechwood

It’s all in the family– and for the family–at a brand new business that officially opened in Brookside on August 10th. 

Cousins Jamie Hickey and Claire Tully Markus have opened their first business together. Humanette is Kansas City’s first Kinder Cafe, offering a full-service cafe, co-working,  indoor play and event space. This lovely refurbished venue, formerly Brookside Barkery & Bath, is now home to a unique option for the whole family. Hickey and Markus have a ten-year lease and the bright, sunny location is easy to find at 118 West 63rd St. within the Brookside shopping district.

Based on a European concept, the Kinder Cafe gives customers in the community a chance to connect. Children can have fun in a safe environment while the parent can catch up on work or meet new friends.  No, this is not a daycare. Nor is it a park playground. Rather it is a full-service cafe allowing  parents to bring their child into a safe and beautiful play area while they work or relax only a few feet away. Parents are allowed in the play area and each child is given a wristband for safety and security. 

Hickey, a mother of young children, saw the need for this service in metropolitan Kansas City. “It offers more amenities for the family, ” she says. “At Humanette we wanted to meet in the middle and appeal to children and their parents.”

Tully Markus  also has young children and hopes Humanette can become a community resource.  “The feeling of community has been lost,” she says. “This can rebuild connections with other like-minded parents looking for a place to not stress. As their children play safely, they can successfully complete a project or assignment.”

The play area offers puzzles, crafts, books, rotating toys and a climbing playhouse. These items are cleaned every hour with an environmentally safe cleaner. The setting provides gross motor and sensory activities for ages 0 to 6. (Older children can hang out in a kid lounge with games, art supplies, homework area and other activities.).

The full-service cafe offers gourmet coffee drinks and delicious (but also healthy) snacks and pastries to please both parents and kids. Adult beverages are available later in the day.

The Humanette will be offering a range of classes and events that provide enrichment. These classes are a way for children to learn and grow while having a blast. It is best suited for children ages 0 to 6.  Birthday parties and private events can also be booked at the space.

So far the Humanette has struck just the right chord in Brookside. Almost half of their customers so far have actually walked to the venue because of its easy accessibility within the Brookside shops. The business is also completely ADA compliant. 

Those interested can sign up for a membership for unlimited visits. Memberships start at $60 a month per child and include unlimited open play, unlimited drip coffee, early booking and discounts on food and drinks. Visitors also have the option to pay as you go. 

Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8 am to 6 pm, Friday from 8 am to 8 pm and Sunday 8 am to 12:30 pm. Online is the best way to reserve your spot at humanette.co.