Mom of three, Aimee Reid, is hoping to have her new Puffin & Bean Play Cafe ready to open in Corner Brook in January 2026. Reid and her family, including children Gavin, Natalie and Carter, are excited about the new venture. CONTRIBUTEDArticle contentAs a busy mom of three, Aimee Reid knows now how hard it can be to find things for your children to do, especially when they are younger. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentReid and her family moved to Pasadena from Ontario last year. Her husband, Ryan Reid, is originally from Port au Choix. Article contentArticle content“We love the west coast because we love the outdoors and nature and we like the fact that there’s lots of outdoor activities. We’re always doing something, swimming, hiking, etc,” she said.Article contentArticle contentHer youngest son was two years old when they moved here. Article content“So, when the winter kind of came around, it was like, what do you do with the small ones, because they can’t go outside as long, or on rainy days? It was always tough,” she said. Article contentBack in Ontario, Reid said, there was always something to do inside, including play spaces at restaurants. Article content“Things like that, if the weather is kind of crummy, you can go to. I just saw that there was such a lack here for things like that,” she said.Article content“People really needed a spot that they could take their kids and go relax, have a coffee, and the kids can run around and burn off some steam.”Article contentThe more she thought of it, the more Reid wanted to do something to offer a space where children, infants to pre-school, could have a place to go. Article contentThat place will be the Puffin & Bean Play Cafe at 6 Commercial St. in Corner Brook. Article contentLaunching a businessArticle contentReid has worked at a few different things, including several years in the food industry. She also has her own photography business, Aimee Nicole Photography. Article contentArticle content“So, I always had the niche to be able to run my own business,” she said. Article contentHer experience working with children comes from being a mom to three kids of varying ages. Her oldest son, Carter, is almost 16, while her daughter, Natalie, is nine, and her youngest son, Gavin, is now three. Article content“There’s always something different. I’ve got one who’s thinking of college and one we’re still trying to get out of diapers,” she said with a laugh. Article contentWith her idea set, Reid did a lot of research, including “looking at other play places in the U.S. and around the world, what they have, what they kind of offer, and knowing kind of what I wanted to offer, too.”Article contentShe talked to a lot of people in the community and learned about other businesses that were here before, what worked, and things that didn’t. Article contentReid noted there are some amazing programs in the area, and she’s not looking to take away from that.
NL mom creating space for kids to use their imagination and play in Corner Brook
