Munchkin Playland

12/03/2025

I just wanted to thank all of you for responding to my post yesterday.

I wasn't sure if I was going to post into an echo chamber and not get a single response. Instead, I was overwhelmed!

If I can put humility aside for a second:

In hindsight, I can take pride that I did something meaningful. All of the pictures and memories you shared at Munchkin Playland mean a lot to me. I will look back on that business with tremendous pride.

Thanks again! I appreciate all of you.

Send a message to learn more

12/02/2025

Well hello there! Remember me? I owned Munchkin Playland for 12 years! It has been almost six years since we closed.

I am not on Facebook that often, and I didn't realize this page was still active.

I still think about my little store and customers every once in a while. That little girl on the boat in my profile picture is a sophomore in college now, and somehow I'm over a half century old!

I would love to hear from any of you who visited Munchkin Playland and how you and your kids are doing! I hope life has treated you well!!!

Happy Holidays!!!

--Dave

11/23/2021

I am not one to look back at the past too often. However, I drove by where Munchkin Playland used to be for the first time in a while, and I couldn’t help being flooded with a bunch of memories.

We opened right around Thanksgiving back in November 2008, and the store would have been thirteen years old this month. I always correlate Thanksgiving with the store anniversary every year. My daughter was almost three when we opened, and now I’m teaching her to drive. Before I know it, she will be moving out and may hopefully visit her parents on Thanksgiving.

And here we are at Thanksgiving 2021. I’m sure some of you are like me and are very thankful to be lucky enough to visit or talk to their parents this year. I know that some of you will have a bittersweet holiday and can only cherish the memories you used to have with your parents. I also should acknowledge those that resent their childhood memories due to circumstances beyond their control. The only advice this middle-aged guy can give you is to let it go and try to develop new memories that your kids (and you) will cherish forever. It will heal you.

Hmmmm…. This post is way more somber than I intended. This is what happens when I write…I tend to type without rhyme or reason! In any event: after driving by the empty store front, I realized how thankful I am for the Munchkin Playland years, and the customers were a major part of that. I just felt like sharing the sentiment. Thank you.

Dave

08/21/2020

All-- Thanks for all of your support as I shut down the store. It almost feels like losing a loved one. (I think I owe you for being my therapist!)

Some final pictures from the beginning to the end. I'm officially signing off!

Thank you for everything.

Dave

03/17/2020

It's been a pleasure. Thank you for everything.

Dave

05/12/2019

Although it may not always seem like it, your toddler really does appreciate you! 🙂

Happy Mother's Day!!!!!

04/01/2019

Our customers just love the shots that we add to our drinks! In that spirit, we have added some exciting items to our menu. Introducing:

The Hyper Toddler: We take our standard 8 ounce vanilla steamer and add two shots of espresso.

The Tipsy Toddler: We take our standard 8 ounce hot chocolate and add two shots of Kahlua.

The Hot Mama: Our 16 ounce mocha is infused with two shots of Cinnamon Schnaaps.

Menu changes effective April 1. We hope you try some today! (Please be cool and don't tell the authorities.)

Hope to see you soon!

11/19/2018

Monday is our ten year anniversary! This is a picture of the store before the remodel. Gees, I posted this same picture at the five year mark, too.

Wow, time flies. That little girl is almost thirteen now, and that handsome guy in the background is getting really old!

Thanks for the support over the years. I'm not sure if I have it in me to last another 10, but who knows???

Dave

11/04/2018

For some of you, this may be the first time you experience Daylight Standard Time with a little one.

I don't think you are going to like it very much.

We open at 9AM everyday if you need a caffeine jolt...Hope to see you soon!

04/01/2018

Some interesting news:

An Oregon version of Sister Wives will be shooting right here in Portland. For those of you who aren't familiar with this reality TV show, it involves the trials and tribulations of a man who has multiple wives.

You may not have known this, but I have always wanted to be a reality TV star. Shockingly, they chose me to be the husband! Can you believe it?

Now, they have been casting for wives for the last six months. The interviewees have met with me personally as well. Unfortunately, the producers have had no volunteers to be my wife. One woman said, "I don't like the way he quotes Star Wars so much. I don't find that attractive at all." Another woman said, "I'm just not into short guys with large heads. It just ain't my thing."

Ouch.

Anyways, I will be shutting down Munchkin Playland effective immediately (April 1). Having said that, if any of you ladies out there want to be a reality TV star alongside me, please let me know via e-mail.

Have a fabulous Easter, and look for me on TV this fall.

Dave

01/24/2018

When I opened Munchkin Playland nine years ago, I envisioned it as a place where a tired mom or dad could let their toddler burn off some steam while they got caffeinated.

I never envisioned it as a place where all walks of life could get along. The common denominator is that we all love our kids.

I have seen every race imaginable interacting just fine. I have seen moms with multiple piercings / tattoos laughing with very conservative grandmas. I have seen a vegan mom chatting with a dad who dressed like he was about to leave Munchkin Playland to go hunting for a week.
.. Now, I'm too old to be idealistic. However, it is nice that civility between all walks of life can still exist. I guess it just takes our toddlers to bring out the best in us.

Thanks for reading my rambling stream of consciousness post, and I hope to see you soon.

Dave (Owner)

04/01/2017

Hello Weirdos,

It is I, your slightly sober store owner, who would like to ring in this 1st of April with some Munchkin Playland news:

-- Introducing our newest drink sensation: The Creamy Nacho Cheese Latte! We don't use organic melted cheddar cheese. No, we use the kind of cheese that you have to pump out of a metal container! You will be thrilled by how the Stumptown Espresso and the pasteurized melted cheese product produces a confluence of delicious flavors on your refined palate....Yummy!

-- Also, I decree that from this day forward we will host shirtless Saturdays! Yes, you and your toddler can run amok shirtless in our safe play environment. How liberating! (Note: Shirtless Saturday does not apply to customers aged 80 and over)

-- Lastly, you can now find child sized sporks at the condiment bar. This will be especially useful for those of you with children who like fruit cups.

Hope you have a wonderful 1st of April. Gotta go...Time for me to start my four hour yoga routine...

Dave (Owner)