‘I’ve created a monster’
Taranaki’s last children’s play centre could be about to close its doors – but the owner is optimistic someone will take it on.
Helen Griffiths created Rumpus Room five-and-a-half years ago but said the time had come for a change.
‘‘I need a break. I’d really like to have a summer that I can have fun in.
‘‘I’ve created a bit of a monster, and this monster is consuming so I just felt I needed to stop. There comes a point where my health and my own wellbeing is paramount.
‘‘I’ve spent five-and-a-half years pleasing people and that can grind you down a little bit.’’
Earlier in the year New Plymouth’s other specialist children’s play centre, Chipmunks, closed after nine years in business and if Rumpus Room closed for good there will be no purpose-built centres in the city.
Griffiths announced on the Rumpus Room Facebook page that she and husband Huw would be looking to leave the business and was overwhelmed by the response.
‘‘I didn’t expect that amount of love and disappointment.
‘‘The last thing I want to do is walk out the door and close the doors behind me because I know it’s an asset to the community.
‘‘It is the only indoor play venue in Taranaki. We’ve got a loyal customer base so the last thing I want to do is disappoint them.’’
Since sharing the decision to leave Griffiths had received a few expressions of interest to take it over.
Ideally she would like it to be taken over by someone local.
‘‘I’ve put my heart and soul into this place and am proud of what it’s achieved and I’d love it to continue but it can’t continue with me. You have to draw a line in the sand.
‘‘Running a business like this you can get caught up in the issues and appreciation doesn’t as easily get voiced as other things which again is wearing in itself.
‘‘They need to be determined, thick skinned, community minded, and creative.’’
Griffiths hadn’t secured a date to leave yet but would ideally like someone to take over by the end of October.
She plans to go back to pediatric speech and language therapy, in which she trained, and spend more time with her kids, Owen and Laura.
‘‘Life moves on, my kids are grown up and I want to be able to go and be with them and continue supporting them. They’ve tolerated a lot in the last five-and-a-half years with me doing this because it has been a huge feat.’’