KID-FRIENDLY ATTRACTION

2020

MOST LOVED Kid-Friendly Attraction

WINNER

Cayton Children’s Museum

CAYTON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

Known as one of the best places to raise children, Santa Monica boasts a variety of engaging and educational attractions for your little ones.

Carly Harrill is the Chief Advancement O cer for the Cayton Children’s Museum, located in the Santa Monica Place mall in Downtown Santa Monica. Carly describes the Museum as a place that nurtures the best in children and families. “The Cayton inspires connection and creativity through play to help young people see the power they have to shape a world where we are all equally valued and celebrated.” The museum had to close its doors in March and expects to be closed through the end of the year. They have been struggling financially and have had to make cuts to sta . However they made a series of smart decisions at the beginning of the pandemic and have now pivoted fundraising e orts to focus on grants and foundations and on their virtual fundraisers and Women’s Philanthropy Circle.

Carly says that “While the Museum doors are closed, we have decided to take the fun outdoors and will be launching community programming in partnership with Santa Monica Place on the 3rd level of the mall, every Thursday and Saturday starting July 23. It’s a challenging climate for a nonprofit right now, but we have a strong community of supporters and donors who see the value in us on the other side.” The museum also plans to bring the outdoor programming to underserved communities 395 Santa Monica Pl Suite 374 FINALIST Santa Monica’s Morgan-Wixson Theatre is the oldest theatrical organization in the city, founded in 1946. Originally known as Santa Monica Theatre Guild, its first home was the Miles Playhouse. In 1966, the group built the building on Pico Blvd. that stands across greater LA in August.

Carly says the businesses ability to be nimble and optimistic is the key to their continued success. “We are doing smart planning with the understanding that things are evolving every day so, in order to best serve the needs of our community, we have to be nimble enough to change direction quickly, with our mission and values always as our compass.” She says that winning a Most Loved award really shows the museum that they are doing what they set out to do: “be a place where all children and youth can practice being part of community and find their purpose through play, and parents see us as a trusted and creative space for nurturing the best in their little humans. To be nominated for this award, especially when our doors are closed, speaks to the resilience of this community and the special connection we have to one another.”

As a final note, Carly says “We are a 501c3 nonprofit. With our doors closed and no earned revenue coming in, we are struggling to provide the support this community will need on the other side of the pandemic. We need your support to reopen our doors safely, as well as bring programming outdoors into Santa Monica Place and in underserved communities across LA. Make a donation at Caytonmuseum.org and your donation will be matched 1:1, up to $250,000. Thank you

424-416-8327

MORGAN-WIXON THEATRE

for believing in the power of play.” caytonmuseum.org today. A 200-seat non-Equity house, operated as a place where talent can train, theatrical passions can be celebrated, and the community can be engaged in live theatre that entertains, enriches, and educates.

FINALIST

PUZZLE ZOO

Jay C Demircift is the co-founder of Puzzle Zoo, a Santa Monica staple toy store with locations on the Third Street Promenade and Main St. He describes Puzzle Zoo as a one of a kind toy experience “Serious and amateur collectors alike are delighted by the range of unique dolls, chess sets, action figures, board games, stu ed animals, and more. Puzzle Zoo’s extraordinary inventory includes classic and innovative toys. The knowledgeable sta provides personalized service and worldwide shipping, assuring that you’ll leave with a smile.” The store was founded in 1993 and grew from their original store on the Promenade to seven stores through Southern California and Texas and strives to sell unique products at an a ordable price.

The business is having di culty adapting to the current economic challenges of 2020. Jay says that while they honestly have not yet adapted successfully, they will keep trying. The conversations they have recently had with customers have shown a lot of mixed emotions about the current state of the city, the nation, and the world.

Jay is incredibly grateful to receive this award. He says it “definitely gives us a boost” he says that it feels good to know that Puzzle Zoo is serving the Santa Monica community in a meaningful way that they can enjoy. Jay says that despite the hardships of this year the business is small and nimble and will do whatever they can to survive to continue providing unique toys and products to Santa Monica residents.

Puzzle Zoo prides itself on providing a fast and friendly service for their community.

1411 3rd Street Promenade 2910 Main St. 310-393-9201 310-396-4331 puzzlezoo.com