RIVER FALLS – Every child needs a place to play where they feel comfortable, whether that’s a neighborhood park or a smaller setting such as downtown River Falls’ new Sisu Play Café.  

Sisu Play Café is the brainchild of resident Jessica Nevalainen. Located at 120 N. Main St. (next to Dominos Pizza), the playroom is a haven for children ages 0-6, filled with wooden toys and unique climbing structures, along with a carefully curated toy and gift shop and a grab-and-go snack café, according to the website.  

Nevalainen, who used to work at Broz where her fiancé is still the general manager, became a stay-at-home mom after the birth of their son. During that time, she discovered the Finnish term Sisu, which inspired the name for her new business. 

“I started reading about Sisu and how motherhood is so difficult and lovely at the same time,” she said. “It’s very much about embracing and pushing through the hard stuff.” 

She recommends reading “The Finnish Way,” a book by journalist Katja Panzar who discovered a simpler and happier way of life by moving to Finland. Finns also embrace a special form of courage, grit and determination called Sisu.  

“For kids I think it’s a great word to learn to get back to simplicity and a more natural way of life, to also have courage, to push yourself,” Nevalainen said.  

Nevalainen’s 5-year-old son is sensory sensitive: big play spaces overwhelm him, she said.  

“They’re loud. I always wanted a smaller scale place, more sensory friendly,” she said.  

While driving through town one day, she decided to make the space she was longing for.  

“My son is going into kindergarten,” Nevalainen said. “I was thinking to myself, what can we do that benefits us, the community. All the people I used to bartend for are now having kids. I figured it was a way to stay connected and do something a little bit different.” 

At Sisu Play Café, people can purchase single play sessions or monthly memberships. The space is filled with climbing structures, a treehouse, high quality wooden toys, a playhouse and more. People can rent it out for birthday parties and events, and there’s also a retail store.  

“I’m really passionate about quality and sustainability,” Nevalainen said. “I really like wooden toys because they hold their value and usually are better for the environment. They’re usually pretty. I always say that they are an investment. They’re a little more expensive, but they hold their value and last a really long time. Typically, I feel like toys that are open ended in nature, kids will play with longer. They don’t have one small purpose. There’s so much room for creativity.” 

Sisu Play Café will have three time slots of two hours throughout the day for playtimes. Nevalainen will clean and sanitize the area between play sessions so everyone “has a fresh start.” Snacks will be provided, along with coffee for the adults. Adults must stay with their kids as the facility is not meant to be a licensed daycare.  

“Maybe you want to meet a friend here and not have a playdate at your house,” Nevalainen said. “It’s perfect for parents who work remotely or when daycares aren’t open.” 

Nevalainen said the space is geared toward children ages 0-6, but she will have coloring books and books for older siblings who accompany the younger ones.  

The public is invited to an open house on Saturday, July 13. The retail space will be open and people can sign up for monthly memberships. The play area will officially open to the public on Tuesday, July 16. Those who attend will be entered into a giveaway for a three-month membership.  

To learn more or sign up via the reservation calendar, visit sisuplaycafe.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.  

“We’re really excited about it. It was a goal of mine to find something that I am passionate about by the time that my kiddo was in kindergarten,” Nevalainen said. “And I have.”