Escape winter at Elgin's Bumblebee Play Cafe

A new spot to take your children when you're getting a little stir crazy in this weather is now open along the Randall Road corridor.

Bumblebee Play Café opened last month at 1015 N. Randall Road in Elgin, next to Russo Power Equipment. The Bumblebee Play Café building previously housed a Dollar Store, but has been vacant for about five years since the discount store closed.

Now, it has been renovated. Inside you'll find an indoor area with two separate rooms for children to run around in and play, General Manager Christine Gardner said.

"There was definitely a need for a place for kids to get their energy out here in Elgin. The closest place for families to go was St. Charles, and we have heard a lot of the parents that appreciate having something closer to bring their kids to," Gardner said.

In the new business, there is one playroom for children ages 4 and younger and another for children ages 5 to 11.

Gardner said children in both areas will have a great time at Bumblebee. They can climb, enjoy a variety of slides and hop around on a jump pad. In the under age 4 area, there also is an imaginary play center with a bumblebee market and fire station.

At Bumblebee Play Café, there also is a café area. For older children, they can play inside while parents order a drink or food.

"Since it is just separated by our security gate, it makes it easy for parents to keep an eye on their kids while they are placing an order," she said.

Bumblebee Play Café also has six rooms to host birthday parties, meetings and private events. Of those, five of the rooms hold up to 35 people, and there is one large room for up to 70 people.

Gardner said she chose this location because it was right off Randall Road and close to I-90.

"We are excited to be in the Elgin community and have met so many families in our short couple of weeks," she said. "We already have regulars. We are thankful for everyone that has already supported our business."

A new Culver's:

A new Culver's restaurant is coming to the west side of St. Charles.

The fast food restaurant, known for its butterburgers and custard, is going into the open lot north of Discount Tire, near Costco, along the Randall Road corridor.

Presently, there is a Culver's on the east side of St. Charles at 4068 E. Main St. If you can't wait until the new one opens this year, there is a Culver's in Carpentersville and one in South Elgin.

• Amy Williams' column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from Batavia to Crystal Lake. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or (847) 894-5036.