The Moxie Spot downstairs diner area ©Christine Park Design

Last week I packed us up to go to the new Pier 6 playground. You know what that means: swimsuits, swim diapers, changes of clothes, lunch, etc. It’s a real effort.   On the stroll there, Birch announced he needed to go potty. I looked around and eyed the restaurant and playspace Moxie Spot. It had been awhile since we had been there, but we’ve always enjoyed it the space. So, we went in for a bathroom break and a glass of something to justify our bathroom use. The moment we entered through the intriguingly scaled doors, I knew we were done for and were never going to make it to Pier 6. The children begged to stay, and honestly, I was kindof glad not to sit outside in the sweltering heat at the playground.

I paid $2.50 per child and made our way to Moxie Spot‘s second floor playground. The three of us had free reign of the whole space. We put stickers on precut crowns, had stuffed animal tea parties and dressed up in costumes. We had a fantastic time.  A quick 2 hours later, it was lunch time. Heading back downstairs, we put in a couple orders of pancakes (bland and doughy) and sat in a comfy booth. The bottom floor had filled up and there was a great energy with all the children playing together.  Other kids were mesmerized by the cartoon shows on the flat screens, mine specifically. So, it came as a disappointment to that group when a storyteller arrived, asking them if she could turn off the tvs and read aloud. There was some protest (really?!), but she gamely proceeded anyway.

Emily is a storyteller that has that rare gift. Not only can she read out loud well, she can act well. She embodied each of the characters she voiced. She was hilarious, a little outrageous and totally into it…and so were all the kids. It’s a shame there were only 12 of us. I’ve seen storytimes flooded with kids when the reader has been subpar or even just fine. Sometimes it’s about location, timing or marketing. Now, that Moxie Spot is on the way to the popular destination of Pier 6 , I hope that Emily’s storytime will be better populated. And, really it’s the perfect storytime lunch activity. Emily’s storytelling time is worth the trip and lunch hour.

Emily performs (as of their current schedule), every Mon, Wed, Friday at 12 noon.  Call to make sure that she will be there on those days before heading out. The flyer in the restaurant had the right schedule, but the website did not.

Moxie Spot
81 Atlantic Ave (at Hicks)
718-923-9710
www.themoxiespot.com

Call to make sure the schedule hasn’t changed, but here is the latest:

Mondays: 12 pm: Storytime with Emily
Tuesdays: 11 am: Singalong with Lloyd Miller (of Deedle Deedle Dees)
Wednesdays: 12 pm: Storytime with Emily
Thursdays: 11 am: Dance around with Nat (the owner of Moxie Spot)
Fridays: 12 pm: Storytime with Emily

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