Chatham’s New Gymboree Play & Music: A Great Place for Kids and Moms

Gymboree of Chatham opened Tuesday in the shopping area opposite Serenade, just off Main Street, minutes from The Mall at Short Hills.

Chatham's branch of Gymboree has extension from the original, run out of St. John's in Summit, and owner Patty Bartoli said she expects many of the same clientele as well as newcomers.

"We liked the proximity to the mall and there is also plenty of parking here," said Bartoli, who is also the mom of two children under the age of five.

"When I moved out to the suburbs from New York, I felt isolated and I was ready to meet people," Bartoli said. Bartoli worked for many years at Bloomberg News in marketing and sales. "Gymboree was a great place for me to meet other moms and taking my daughter to Gymboree since she was 2 months old saved me," she said.

When the opportunity came to buy the business from Toni-Ann Lueddecke, a well-known Gymboree instructor, who has taught for more than 30 years, Bartoli jumped at the chance. The two women will work together at the Gymboree of Chatham as well as the Basking Ridge location, also now owned by Bartoli.

The large, brightly painted space has been completely renovated with new cubbies and other built-ins, creating a large, uncluttered space for play. Sessions are available for newborns to age five and are available daily, with the exception of Sundays. Open "Playgym" times are available for members at no additional charge on designated days.

"We address the needs of each child," Lueddecke said. Lueddecke, who has worked for many years with the Gymboree corporation, said they work with the leading non-profit developmental association for babies. "It's not just about the children but about the mothers," she said. Nannies, caregivers, grandparents and stay-at-home dads are also a large part of the Gymboree population.

Gymboree offers a variety of classes for children and caretakers between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. A schedule of classes and hours can be found at the Gymboree location at 11-B Roosevelt Ave. in Chatham Borough, in William Pitt Town Square, or at the Gymboree website. The new member initiation fee is $35.

The Basking Ridge location also offers a music program and Chatham Gymboree members can attend classes there for half-price. Bartoli's ambition is to have a music center at Chatham but they have to wait until additional space becomes available.

The new business will also give a much-needed boost to the William Pitt Town Square, which has seen several storefronts come and go since the economy went into a tailspin more than two years ago.