Hello Out and About Mom readers! Audrey here with my first post in ALMOST TWO YEARS. My goodness, the time has flown. Bug and Bean are 7 and 3 respectively now and while we’ve been busy, we’ve been far from “out and about” this past year.
But now summer has all but arrived and we’re ready to (safely) engage with the world once more! Many thanks to Shawna for welcoming me back to give you all a deeper dive into a fantastic reader-recommended spot you recently read about–The Firestone in Manchester!
I had the distinct pleasure of attending a recent Toddler Time Story + Craft, a collaboration with River Bend Bookshop! But River Bend didn’t just provide the story. Oh no. Friends, meet the brand-spankin’-new River Bend Book Truck!
It’s a mini bookshop on wheels! As loyal blog followers may recall from this post from yesteryear (and in the interest of full disclosure), I am a bookseller at River Bend. So, admittedly, I had a vested interest in this event. But I’ll be real with you…crafts and stories are generally up my alley so I would’ve been all over this event even if the shop hadn’t been involved. I mean look at this place. It’s adorable.
And for those timid about getting out in the world with little ones again, I can safely say I felt so comfortable at The Firestone. The space is open and airy with lots of space to spread out and the craft portion of the event was even held outside in their patio area.
Bean felt so at ease that he felt comfortable lazing about on the floor.
Clearly, we don’t get out much. But you know what? The Firestone is just the kind of place that meets you where you’re at. The staff was kind and accommodating. The craft was actually the kind a toddler can do and still yield something pretty cool (an adorable paper-print project on tile featuring Bruno the Standing Cat!). And the bathrooms were not only large (read: big enough for group trips with the potty-training set) but unisex, which means there is a changing table in a restroom that can be accessed by the dads out there (a surprising rarity in this day and age).
PLUS the food and drink at The Firestone is legitimately amazing. We took ours on the road for a little picnic, but you can eat outdoors on the patio too. They even have QR codes affixed to the tables so that you can view the menu and then order outside from your phone.
Bug and I selected a smattering of delights. He enjoyed a PB&J and the better half of a yogurt parfait with some scrumptious house-made granola. I indulged in nut butter toast with bananas, honey, and bee pollen with a honey peaflower spritzer on the side. All of it was delicious…and check out the gorgeous purple color on that spritzer!
It was an absolutely delightful morning. And truly, what’s better than a trip out and about that’s just as enjoyable for caregivers as it is for kiddos? Books, crafts, and delicious food for everyone. Who could ask for more?
And better yet? There are THREE more Story + Craft times scheduled with the River Bend Book Truck at The Firestone this summer! Insider tip: the story time on June 15 will feature the very talented local author and illustrator Deborah Freedman reading one of her delightful picture books, Blue Chicken!
Visit The Firestone’s website to snag your spot at a Story + Craft time today. Who knows? Bean and I just might see you there. 😉
The Firestone
1115 Main Street, Manchester, Connecticut
Phone: 860-661-0075
Email: info@thefirestonect.com
Hours (2021):
Sun-Thurs: 8 am-6 pm; Fri & Sat: 8 am-8 pm
Story + Craft with the River Bend Book Truck Schedule:
(Dates below list the featured story of the day. Coordinating crafts with be provided the day of the event.)
June 1st – The Nice Dream Truck by Beth Ferry
June 15th – Blue Chicken by Deborah Freedman **AUTHOR STORY TIME!**
June 29th – Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
Pricing (2021):
Varies depending on what you are signed up for, but Toddler Story + Craft is $15 (covers the cost of the craft)
Details:
Stroller Friendly: YES
Coffee Mug Friendly: Who needs to BYO when you can get your coffee there?! It is a café, after all. Yummy coffee drinks await!
Restroom: YES
Baby Changing Station: YES
Parking: There is parking–it just isn’t a private lot. There is on-street parking along Main Street and a public lot a short walk away at the corner of Main and Forest St.
Food for Sale: YES
Outside Food Allowed: Well…kind of. Toddlers were openly snacking on Goldfish and whatnot. But if you are thinking of brining a picnic lunch from home, though, I’d suggest bringing it to nearby Charter Oak Park. The Firestone is also a full service cafe, so it probably wouldn’t be the most respectful thing to whip out your homemade PB&J at one of their tables 😉 (Incidentally, you can order a PB&J there if you or your little one find yourselves with an incurable hankering.)
Cash Required: NO
Dress Code: Dress comfortably and in clothes you don’t mind getting paint on.
Age Recommendation: The Firestone offers a wide arrange of activities for all ages–including grown-ups! However, Toddler Story + Craft is best suited for kids 2-5.
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