Another new business opens in Wichita after being delayed by the pandemic

Back in late 2019, Cindy Miles shared plans for the Slumber Party Place at 357 N. Hillside, just south of Wesley Medical Center.

“I was going to open it, like, six months after COVID hit,” she said.

That didn’t happen.

There were a number of things that caused delays, including the fact that her contractor — her son-in-law — was suddenly in demand as people called wanting upgrades to their homes where they were spending more time due to the pandemic.

“We finally got everything done and got it open,” Miles said.

There will be an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. on April 23.

Miles still has the same concept she did from the beginning — a place where children can have overnight parties — but customers are letting her know about other things they want.

For instance, though Miles envisioned mostly overnight parties, she’s finding a demand for daytime parties as a more private alternative to larger venues such as Chuck E. Cheese or Dave and Buster’s. It’s that privacy that customers still are seeking due to the pandemic, she said.

There’s a playroom with a tree house, a two-story cabin, a big dog house, a lookout tower, a karaoke stage and lots of huge waffle blocks and other games and activities.

There’s also a living room with a big-screen TV and digital games, and a room just for parents “so they have their own bedroom.”

The house has a full kitchen and laundry room as well.

Some customers are wanting to stay for more than a one-night party, which is an option.

Miles said she also was surprised to find groups of women want to rent the house.

“I thought that was kind of unique.”

While her focus is still on children, Miles is open to adults using the space, too, with the caveat that she doesn’t “want to have any wild bachelor parties or any kind of wild parties.”

Now that Slumber Party Place is open, Miles said she can turn her attention to another business that’s been delayed.

She and her husband, Mark, purchased 29 acres at 5020 S. West St. where they plan a retreat center, which they incorporated as Cottonwood Creek Retreat. When the Slumber Party Place house became available, they shifted their focus, but now they can shift back.

Their idea is to build a place for retreats and family reunions.

Thanks to the size of the property, Miles said they’ll be able to operate as an agritourism business, which means they’ll need to plant on some of that land.

There’s already a gazebo, and Miles said they plan an outdoor pavilion, cabins and a lodge for corporate retreats and other meetings.

“We will be looking at plans for the lodge this year.”

This story was originally published April 7, 2022 at 1:55 PM.