Children's Indoor Playground to Open in La Cañada

In opening her first business, Pasadena resident Yesika Baker has combined her two loves - fitness and children.

"We've been working on this for a while, so I'm happy it's finally happening,'' Baker said of Caterpillar Kids Place, which officially opens its doors in La Cañada's Town Center at 10 a.m. Saturday.

The first children's indoor playground in the city, Caterpillar Kids Place will also feature music, art and dancing, Baker said, noting her business got the final green light Thursday with the city's approval of her outdoor sign (still to be hung). 

La Cañada wasn't Baker's first choice for her business location, she said during a recent mixer for the La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce. She had been working with a neighboring city for nearly eight months when bureacratic stalemates frustrated her into abandoning the venture. Initially drawn to La Cañada for the high acheiving school district, Baker admitted to being a bit apprehensive when she walked into City Hall and began the paperwork process to open a business.

"I couldn't believe it - they smiled. They were helpful. I was not used to that,'' she said, adding the process has been smooth from the start and took about six months from filling out forms to cutting the ribbon. 

La Cañada City Councilman Michael Davitt was on the Planning Commission when Baker's business proposal came forward for approval.

"I think this will be a great asset to the community and provides further activity in the Town Center, which is a great benefit to the community.

"I am very pleased to hear that the owners' interaction with the city was positive and is a nice testament to the committment of the entire council and city staff to try and support business in our city,'' Davitt said.

Baker's tenancy leaves three vacancies left in the Town Center.

Baker's sister came up with the idea more than two years ago, she said. Baker has a degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism and has worked as a personal trainer for many years, she said. So she's interested in kids having fun and exercising at the same time. Baker's business partner brings computer skills to the venture.

Caterpillar Kids Place, 965 Foothill Boulevard, will have a soft opening for adults Friday at 4 p.m. with a champagne toast, and its official opening and ribbon cutting will be Saturday.