Giggles and Gourmets is Your New Go-To Spot in Alger Heights
Listen, fellow tired parents – you know those rare magical places where you can actually enjoy your coffee and let the kids burn off their energy? Well, Alger Heights just hit the jackpot.
Giggles & Gourmets opened on Monday, February 10, at 2426 Eastern Ave SE, with a bakery and play space!
Two genius sisters have combined an actual bakery (yes, REAL baked goods!) with a play café.
We’re talking legit cinnamon rolls that’ll make you stop sharing with your toddler. They’re serving up fresh chocolate croissants, gooey brownies, and cookies you’ll definitely want to hide in your diaper bag.
And their coffee? Looks like the kind you’d find at a fancy downtown café.

The Play Space
The play space at Giggles & Gourmets is geared towards kids under the age of 7. You will love the set-up here with different areas for different ages and activities.
Here’s what you can expect:

Baby Area:
Located behind a baby gate (genius!), the baby area has a ball pit, play pen, llama rocker, soft play climbing blocks and other toys to delight baby.
Plus it’s all on a cushioned ground and soft rug – perfect for little crawlers.

Imaginative Play Areas:
Toddlers will love this section.
In addition to a spaceship and tool bench, there’s also an ice cream cart, tea party, baby doll area, and garden center.

Stage:
Is your kid ready to rock?
Kids can step onto the little stage and play the guitar and keyboard and put on a show.

Active Play:
If your kids are all energy and not so much about pretend play, they will have a blast in the active play area.
There’s a trampoline, basketball hoops, play structure with side and balance board.

Older Kids Area:
Got calmer kids? There’s a whole area with dozens of board games to play plus cornhole.
The Menu Scoop:
Do NOT forget about the “Gourmets” part when you visit.
The owners make the gourmet baked goods daily in a nearby commercial kitchen and transport them to the play cafe.
Menu items include: brownies, cupcakes, cinnamon rolls (to die for!), croissants, pepperoni pizza bagels (made right in front of you), and warm cookies with milk.
Pro Tip: Try the different flavored cream cheeses (including their unique pistachio flavored cream cheese).
Psst! If you don’t have time to play, you can come in just to get delicious baked goods at no extra charge.

The Pricing Details
- Coffee: Drip ($2.50),fancy signature drinks ($4.75 – $5.75)
- Fresh cookies ($3), brownies ($6), donuts ($4), cinnamon rolls ($4)
- Croissant & bagel sandwiches ($5) with house-made cream cheese
- Kid-friendly snacks ($1), hot chocolate ($2.50), and apple cider ($3.50)

The Special Perks:
• Opening Day: Share their logo on Facebook = free cookie
• Saturday Dollar Days: Weekly discounts on select items
• Text 616-690-7588 for updates and deals

The Masterminds Behind It
Ashley and Alesha are two sisters who clearly get it.
Ashley’s a former therapist and mom of three (with #4 on the way) who understands the need for spaces where kids can just be kids.
Alesha is the bakery wizard, whipping up treats that’ll make you forget about that “eat more veggies” resolution you made in January.

They hope that Giggles and Gourmet won’t just be a decadent bakery and amazing play space. They hope to eventually host music lessons and play therapy.
The Desire to Help
Ashley and Alesha are here for the community.
They’ve set up a special Little Llama’s Corner to help families meet the needs of their littlest kiddos.
Families in need can pick up diapers, Pull Ups, diaper cream and wipes whenever the play cafe is open.
Able to help? Drop off donations of these high-need items or head to their website to make a monetary donation.

The Intel You Need
Ready to play (or snack) at Giggles and Gourmets?
Here’s everything you need to know:
The Opening Day Fun:
- Take a pic of their logo anywhere on the building, post to social media and tag them, get a FREE COOKIE on Feb 10. Leave a review to get an EXTRA free goodie.
- In-store raffles and giveaways throughout the day
The Party Fun:
Giggles and Gourmets joins the line-up for birthday parties and baby shower venues.
The space is large enough to accommodate 100 guests. Cakes can be purchased and are freshly baked at their commercial kitchen.
The Location:
Giggles & Gourmets Play Cafe and Bakery
2426 Eastern Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
616-690-7588
Facebook
Parking is available behind the building.
The Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9 AM – 4 PM
Saturday: 8 AM – 2 PM
Closed Sundays
The Pricing:
• Drop-in Play: $8 for kids 3+ ($5 for ages 0-2)
• Monthly Passes: $40 for 3+ ($25 for ages 0-2)
• Yearly Option: $375 for unlimited play ($200 for littles)
• No fees to go in and purchase items or sit and relax and enjoy the bakery / coffee & food
Socks are required to play. Forget yours? No worries – you can buy some there!

Bottom Line
This play café is coming in hot and making a splash.
It’s exactly what this little corner of GR has been missing – a spot where the coffee is legit, the treats are worth the calories, and kids can live their best lives (somewhere that’s not our living room).
Pro tip: Save their number now. You’re gonna want those Saturday Dollar Day alerts. You know, for “the kids.”
P.S. Alger Heights, you just got cooler.
