05/13/2026
Working Women’s Wednesday — Buffalo Edition 🤍
Yesterday I got to spend time with the woman behind Friendship Village Play Cafe — a mom of five, former educator, former swim coach, and creative soul who built a space designed for children to play, imagine, and simply be kids.
What people don’t always see behind businesses like this is how much work, risk, and sacrifice goes into keeping them running.
It’s easy to say ‘we need more places like this.’
But creating safe, clean, welcoming spaces for families isn’t easy — and it definitely isn’t cheap.
Behind every small business is usually someone staying late, stressing quietly, juggling family life, pouring their heart into something they hope serves their community well.
And honestly?
You can feel that heart when you walk through these doors.
As a mom new to Buffalo, I can already tell spaces like this matter — not just for kids, but for parents looking for connection and community too.
Working Women’s Wednesday exists because women deserve to be seen in every season:
the building season,
the exhausted season,
the hopeful season,
and the ‘I’m figuring it out as I go’ season too.
You can find Heidi Pare with Friendship Village Play & Cafe at 85 Lake Ave In Blasdell, NY 🤍✨