Happy Birthday, Play Hollow!
Play Hollow turns five this month. We have officially graduated from preschool and we are about to start kindergarten. We’ve learned so much as preschoolers over the past few years. Never underestimate the power of a good nap. When in doubt, have a snack. Be kind. All the basics. And now we can’t wait to spread our wings as we grow bigger, learn more than ever before, and make new friends on the playground. Like any typical five year old, we sometimes get impatient and overtired, wishing we could just magically get from point A to point B without having to worry about the actual process or consequences, but we are learning to appreciate that the journey is half the fun. And just to fully lean into this cliche, we’re also learning that maybe the real treasure is the friends we made along the way. Thank you to all of you, our community of friends, who make celebrating our fifth birthday possible. We truly would not be here without you, and we feel so lucky to have a fabulous Play Hollow family.
Before we blow out the candles, enjoy the cake, and hand out the presents, let’s take a trip down memory lane as we celebrate five years of growth, love, and whimsy.
Founded in 2021 by Natalia Martinez, Play Hollow has always been at its core a store inspired by nature, childhood, and community. Natalia built the store’s foundation in the heart of Ballston Spa, bringing unique and thoughtfully curated toys, gear, and classes to the local families. She rooted Play Hollow’s values in diversity and supporting families of all types, making sure the store offered bilingual, inclusive, and diverse books, materials, and classes. To this day, her Libros y Canticos class is a fan favorite on Saturday mornings.
Natalia creating a playspace attached to the Play Hollow retail section was a game changer. How many times have you been in a store with your kids and wished desperately that there was a spot for them to safely play while you browsed? Or how many times have you been at an overstimulating play place and wished there was an option that was engaging and encouraged play without making your head want to explode from all the chaos? It’s a space that provides an option for a cozy, nature inspired toddler birthday party that is both affordable and adorable. It’s a space that can transform into a homey and welcoming gathering space for caregivers to bond, process the craziness that is parenthood, and build that village we are told it takes to raise our kids. Play Hollow offers all of those things thanks to the back half of our store that has been transformed into a whimsical playspace that meets kids (and grown-ups!) where they’re at. It’s a space that feels both like a second living room and a new and exciting corner of the world to explore.
In 2023, Iulia Ceccolini upped Play Hollow’s sustainability game by curating a thoughtful children’s consignment section. Kids grow so quickly that it only makes sense to give quality clothing, toys, and gear a second life and keep them out of a landfill. When a consignment piece sells, part of the sale goes to the local consignor as well as the store, so with your purchase you support local, shop small, get a good deal on quality pieces, and help save our environment - everyone wins! Our consignment section has become one of the most defining and popular features of Play Hollow, and it continues to grow. This year we expanded to maternity and started our semi-annual mega consignment days. And we have more developments just around the corner; soon select pieces will be available online, making our consignment more accessible than ever before. Shopping small and local for curated, quality children’s consignment is about to get even easier - stay tuned for more details!
In January 2026, when I became the new owner of Play Hollow, I knew I wanted to keep the heart of it the same. I had worked at the store for over a year, so I already knew our beloved customers and local community, our favorite eco-friendly, diversely owned, and nature inspired brands, and the value of the consignment program and unique playspace. Over the past eight months, I’ve learned so much and fallen even more in love with Play Hollow and what it stands for. We’ve added some new products to our shelves, new furniture and murals in the playroom, new classes and events to our calendar, new caregiver resources, and more color and whimsy to every corner of the store, including the updated logo and website.
Sometimes I joke that I purchased a children’s store so I could live out my wildest inner child, rainbow inspired, nature loving dreams. For me, perhaps it is the ultimate example of being an adult who now gets to buy all the things kid me would have loved. And while that’s probably partially true, mostly I bought Play Hollow because I just could not fathom it closing. In today’s crazy world, it is a corner of good, and now more than ever we are in need of safe, supportive community spaces for children and their caregivers.
Stay and play with us as we continue to grow. Cheers to another year around the sun full of whimsy and wonder!
