Another Marin Indoor Play Space Gone? Gymboree Play & Music in Mill Valley to Close!

For a county with a relatively large number of families, Marin has never had a surplus of indoor play spaces for young children. While our weather is usually nice enough for outdoor play, indoor spots are appealing during cold, rainy, or hot weather, and also because of the classes and programs that many of them offer in addition to being a place to play.

Over the last year, we've lost two great resources, Playtime Safari in Novato and San Anselmo's Playdate Café, victims of unfortunate circumstance and the sputtering economy. This week, we've learned that Mill Valley's Gymboree Play & Music, a longtime favorite spot of many Marin parents, will be most likely closing its doors for good at the end of the month! The current owner of the Gymboree Play & Music franchise has decided to close it, but it was apparently bought back by Gymboree itself (which was founded in Mill Valley and is currently headquartered in San Francisco) with the intention of keeping the facility open. Unfortunately, they have not been able to renegotiate a lease with the landlord at Strawberry Village, where it is located.

Many parents and their children will miss the many great classes, music, and play sessions at Mill Valley Gymboree. I've attended with both my children numerous times, and found it to be a clean, well thought out, and fun place to play and learn. If you want to make your voice heard, you can sign this online petition asking the the Strawberry Village landlord to negotiate and sign a lease with Gymboree and keep the facility open.