A new boutique indoor play space created by two Sunshine Coast mums has opened its doors, offering families a screen-free venue designed specifically for babies, toddlers and young children.
Jujuba Indoor Play and Cafe, located at 14 Baldwin Street, Caloundra, was founded by friends Clara Braunger, 37, and Beatriz Franco, 39, who first connected more than a year ago through a local mothers’ group.
“We just clicked straight away,” Ms Braunger said.
“We are both Brazilians, new to the Coast, and we both had girls the same age.”
Their shared experience of early motherhood – especially without extended family nearby – became the foundation of their business partnership.
“Being immigrants, you really rely on your mum community,” Ms Braunger said.
“You build your family here. That group was how we found each other.”
The idea for the business sparked unexpectedly earlier this year. Ms Braunger was preparing to return to her long-time corporate marketing job after maternity leave when she learned her position had been made redundant, leaving her unsure of her next step. Around the same time, the two women were talking about the lack of local indoor spaces that felt safe and appropriate for very young children.
“One day it was raining and our daughters were begging to play,” Ms Braunger said.
“I told Beatriz, ‘I wish there was somewhere indoors where the kids could explore and we could just sit and enjoy a coffee.’ We started dreaming out loud about what that place would look like.”
What began as casual conversation turned serious overnight.
“The next morning I woke up to around 100 messages from Beatriz,” she said.
“She’d already put together a business plan, a P&L (profit and loss statement), even a list of venues. That’s when I realised she meant it.”
The name ‘Jujuba’ is Portuguese for jelly beans, a nickname Ms Braunger has long used for her one-year-old daughter because of her “sweet and chubby” nature.
“It’s cute, it’s a catch word, and it felt perfect for this space,” she said.
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Ms Franco, who has run two other business franchises in Brisbane for the past five years, immediately saw the potential for a small, community-focused play centre tailored specifically to early childhood. Together, the pair refined their vision – a calm, safe, screen-free space that allowed parents to relax rather than hover anxiously.
Their chosen site, a 250sqm ground-floor space in Caloundra, was selected because of the strong presence of young families nearby.
“Families in our mums’ group were always saying they needed somewhere like this – somewhere close by for playdates or birthday parties,” Ms Braunger said.
“There was clearly a gap. We didn’t want anything overwhelming. No loud music, no flashing lights, no screens.”
A dedicated soft-play zone for children under three is one of the venue’s central features. Ms Braunger said they struggled to find safe spaces for their daughters before they were walking, with older kids often dominating equipment meant for little ones.
“We wanted somewhere babies and toddlers could explore without being knocked over.”
Opening hours are 7am to 2pm daily. The hours were intentionally set to suit early-rising families.
“Parents told us they needed somewhere open early, especially on rainy mornings,” Ms Braunger said.
Despite the long hours leading up to launch, Ms Braunger described the venture as energising rather than exhausting.
“I’ve never been this busy, but I don’t feel stressed,” she said.
“We’re creating purpose, community and a place we wish existed when our girls were smaller.”
Both women say the friendship that started in a local mums’ group is now at the heart of a business they’re incredibly proud of.
“We got so close through motherhood, and now we’re building something meaningful together,” Ms Braunger said.
“Working with a friend has been rewarding. It feels like we’re exactly where we’re meant to be.”
