The journey of the Rapp and Anderson sisters began with a desire to combine their passions for business, family, and community. After leaving their well-established careers, the sisters embarked on a new venture: opening a modern play café, Peek-a-Brew, in Old Saybrook. The sisters, Maria and Kiki, are excited to bring their vision to life, which combines a sit-down bistro-style café with a play area for children. The play café, which is scheduled to open on May 8, will be located at 118 Main St. in Old Saybrook.
“We had the idea to bring together moms and kids to have something enjoyable for both in one space. Moms, caregivers, dads or whoever has kids that day and if you don’t have kids, we have a spot for you, too,”
Maria Rapp explained. Key Features of Peek-a-Brew
* A specialized area for children up to 6 years old
* A soft play area for children up to 2 years old
* A front lounge area with couches and tables
* Tables on one side and a counter-top space with a view into the play area
The 7,000-square-foot space is designed to be an “L” shape, allowing for flexibility and comfort. The front lounge area features couches and tables, while the play areas are designed for children of different ages. The space also includes a counter-top area with a view into the play area, providing a convenient and enjoyable experience for parents. Entrepreneurial Roots
The sisters come from a family of entrepreneurs, with their mother, Mirsina Filindarakis, recently celebrating the 10th anniversary of her restaurant, Mirsina’s. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and homemade Greek cuisine.
* The idea of Peek-a-Brew was born out of a desire to combine business, family, and community. * The sisters spent a year developing their concept before finding the perfect location. * The construction process began about a month ago, with the opening expected in early May. A New Chapter for the Sisters
The sisters, both in their late 20s, have left their careers in law and government intelligence to pursue their dream. Maria Rapp has two children, Emmanuel (2) and Zoe (11 weeks), while Kiki Anderson is expecting her first child. “If someone told me I would be going into business with my sister when I was 10 or 11 years old, I would tell them they were absolutely out of their mind,” Maria Rapp said. “Little Maria couldn’t imagine working with that younger sister that always tattled on me and was a little spy behind everything I did. Now, I wouldn’t consider going into this business with anyone else. It’s been a lot of fun and it’s allowed us to spend so much time together.”
Kiki Anderson added, “Being around family is pretty normal and important to us. It’s been so much fun working together. We’re looking forward to bringing our kids to this establishment and feeling like we care just as much about it.”
Community Involvement
The sisters plan to hold various events on the grounds, including mommy and me yoga, craft nights, and cupcake decorating. They also aim to provide a safe and clean play area for children. “We want to support our community and be a part of it,” Maria Rapp said. “We want to practice what we preach. We’ve had great response on social media posts, and we’re excited to see how our community will respond to Peek-a-Brew.”
Menu and Hours
Peek-a-Brew will offer a variety of coffee drinks, including espresso, lattes, and mocktails intended for children. The café will also provide “light bites,” such as croissants, muffins, donuts, salads, paninis, and yogurt parfaits. The business will be open every day, with hours Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Conclusion
The Rapp and Anderson sisters are excited to bring their vision of a modern play café to life. With their combined skills and passion for business, family, and community, they are confident that Peek-a-Brew will become a beloved destination for families in Old Saybrook.
