2 Sisters & 1 Mom
Busy Bee Play City was created by a women-owned family team with a big dream: a place where every family in the community could play, connect, and belong.
Built for Families, by Families
Busy Bee Play City was born from a simple idea: families need a place to be together — where kids can explore, be curious, and play imaginatively, while parents can rest, recharge, and connect over a great cup of coffee.
The vision started with Melissa, who conceived the idea after the birth of her son in 2020. Seeing a gap in the community for safe, welcoming, family-friendly spaces, she partnered with her sister Amanda and their mother Jackie to make it real.
Together, these three women — with 14 cousins between them — imagined a play space not just for their own kids, but for every family in the Ashland community and beyond.
What started as a family dream became a beloved community space. We couldn't be more proud to call Ashland home.
The Women Behind the Hive
Three family members. One shared passion for play, coffee, and community. We're so glad you're here.
Melissa
Co-Owner & Founder
Wife to Cody and mom to Lilly, Grant, and Kennedy. Melissa conceived the Busy Bee vision after her son's birth in 2020, recognizing a gap in the community for family-friendly spaces where parents could truly relax. She partnered with her mother and sister to bring the dream to life — and here we are!
Amanda
Co-Owner
Married to firefighter Jeff and mom to Jack, Parks, and their newest little one. Amanda holds a Master's degree in early elementary education from Longwood University and was a former Chesterfield County teacher. Her expertise in child development shapes everything we do at Busy Bee — from our play zones to our PMO program.
Jackie
Co-Owner
40-year partner, mother of four, and grandmother to ten grandchildren — Jackie brings over 20 years of small business ownership experience to the team. Her steady hand and deep business wisdom are the backbone of everything behind the scenes at Busy Bee Play City.
The Busy Bee Way
Play is Learning
Imaginative play builds critical thinking, social skills, expressive language, and emotional intelligence. We take this seriously.
Parents Need Rest Too
We designed our space so parents can actually relax, recharge, and connect — not just supervise from a corner.
Community First
We're more than a play space — we're a gathering place for families in Ashland and the greater Richmond area to build friendships.
Safety Always
From grippy socks to CPR-certified PMO staff, we think deeply about the safety of every child in our care.
Women-Owned & Proud
Busy Bee Play City is a small, women-owned family business — built with heart, grit, and a lot of love.
Great Coffee Matters
We believe that a great cup of coffee makes everything better — especially watching your kids have the time of their lives.
Come Be Part of Our Community 🐝
We'd love to meet you and your little ones. Come in, grab a coffee, and let the kids explore!