Childhood dreams come true

Alyssa Sharp admires the glitter on Breanna Stark’s face at a Best Friends Forever pamper afternoon at Maddi’s Closet. The new shop is a children’s party venue.

MADDI'S Closet is a magical place for children to celebrate birthdays and just for time out to enjoy stories and many other special, "children only" activities.

Mums are not forgotten as this is a great place to meet up with friends or to make new ones. It is brand new and owner Angela Day is very excited about this venture.

An enthusiastic group of children came together last Friday to do a trial run; this followed the official opening on Thursday by councillor Heather Morrow.

Maddi's Closet is in shop 1, 2a Brisbane Rd, East Ipswich.

Like many business ideas, this one was born out of an ongoing personal experience.

"As a mother of three and coming from a child care background, I was aware of the shortage of quality gifts, entertainment and limited activities for school holidays, weekends and birthday parties. I saw an opportunity to do something about it," Angela said.

Come through the front door and you enter a colourful and wonderful world full of children's books and puzzles; these are for sale and you have the chance to try before you buy.

"It is about learning in a fun environment," Angela said.

"The three windows look like three different shops. There is the Princess Parlour, the Castle Tent and the Party Room."

The Princess Parlour is full of things for girls, fairy dresses and a lot of costumes. It is, as Angela described, "pretty and pink".

Come into the Castle Tent and it is all about the boys who want capes and superhero stuff, knights and dragons, and pirate essentials.

Birthday parties can be held on location or at a venue of your choice. Everything is done and organised for you.

"The Party Room is a versatile space and can cater for small parties of around 10 or I do have a marquee if it is a little larger. I cater for the budget. All kinds of themes and activities can be catered for from a sports carnival to a pretty party," Angela said.

All staff are fully qualified and local and Angela is working with a group of women who share this dream and bring their own expertise as required.

"One of my ladies is a gym instructor, others cover beauty, child care, arts and crafts, they are diverse and we are pooling our skills," she said.

One of the new party hits is the cake smash - yes, it is as messy as it sounds.

"The birthday person rolls in and over their cake and eats it. I use lots of plastic sheets. There is a lot of local interest in this," she said.

Other features within Maddi's Closet, named after her own daughter, include Krystal K Photography, which is on location and can take care of photo needs at the birthday party.

She also stocks kites and offers story time three days a week.

"I have tea and coffee for the mums and children get to be able to enjoy exciting stories. I can do special bookings outside of these times if people want their own session. People have to book in for the story times as I only take 10 children at a time," Angela said.

Maddi's Closet is closed Monday, open Tuesday and Wednesday 9am-2.30pm, Thursday and Friday 10am-6pm and Saturday 9am to 12.30pm. Maddi's Closet is available by appointment for other times. Phone Angela on 0412 749 839 or check them out at facebook.com/maddiscloset.