About Play-a-Latte
Our Mission
Welcome to our play café, Play-a-Latté! We are two sisters combining our unique strengths – one in elementary education and the other in business management and party planning – to create a comfortable, stress-free space where families can connect and unwind. Our mission is to provide a welcoming, community-focused environment where parents and caregivers can relax, visit, and enjoy a cup of coffee while their children play, learn, and explore.
In addition to playtime reservations for our imaginative play area, we also host birthday parties and special events tailored to your needs. Whether you’re here for play, celebration, or a peaceful moment, at Play-a-Latte we’re dedicated to building an enriching space that nurtures relationships, sparks creativity, and fosters community. We look forward to making every visit feel special and to creating lasting memories together!
meet the owners
Richelle
My name is Richelle Acker and I am co-founder of Play-a-Latte. I’ve been married to my fun-loving husband, Justin, for 7 years and together we enjoy traveling, adventures and hosting lively parties. I am a proud “Auntie” to not only my precious nephew, Chase, but also to all of our close friends’ children. I have my Bachelor’s in Mathematics with a minor in Economics from Saint John Fisher College, as well as my M.B.A. in General Management from the Bittner School of Business at Saint John Fisher. With a strong background in business management and client relationship building, I bring a unique combination of analytical skills and creative vision to the business. Outside of my professional experience, I am also deeply passionate about party and event planning, and I am eager to craft unforgettable moments for families. A perfectionist at heart, I am driven to deliver the best possible experience and I am excited to partner with my sister to create memories that leave a lasting impression.
Kristi
My name is Kristi Phillips and I am co-founder of Play-a-Latte. I’ve been married to my loving husband Jason for 3 years and together we have our precious baby boy, Chase, as well as our fur babies Cooper, Littles and Ruby. I have my Associates degree in Liberal Arts from Onondaga Community College and my Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and Teaching from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and I have experience teaching grades K-3 in various school districts in both NC and NY. My sister and I are originally from Frankfort, a small town in Central New York, and having completed my education and lived in NC for several years, I decided to move back to NY to be close to family. With my background in education and my love for working with children, I have always been passionate about creating enriching environments where they can learn and grow. I am excited to apply my expertise to build a space that fosters creativity, fun, and community. My goal is to continuously come up with fresh, innovative ideas to ensure that our play café becomes a vibrant hub for families and a place where memories are made.
