Citibabes Closes in Scarsdale

Citibabes of Scarsdale, the beautifully designed child play space and family center on Popham Road has closed after just one year of operation. The 9,000 square foot center, located on the second floor of the CVS building on the Popham Road Bridge may have been too ambitious for this area.

Citibabes offered play areas, classes, entertainment, birthday party facilities, a café and a retail store and was intended as a family club for Westchester residents with young children. Priced at around $2,000 for the year, a family membership had many benefits but several factors may have contributed to the club’s inability to attract a sufficient number of customers:

• The price point may have been too high in a down economy,
• A tough real estate market may have prevented an influx of young families from moving to the suburbs this year
• The ongoing construction on the Popham Road Bridge may have deterred customers from using the club due to limited parking and the difficulties of negotiating the sidewalk with a stroller.
• Several competitive play centers and children’s program are located in the immediate area

In a note posted on their website, the club says that due to “current general economic and real estate conditions specific to this location, Citibabes has been forced to discontinue their physical operations at 7 Popham Road. However, Citibabes will still be servicing the Scarsdale community. Citibabes’ CitiSchool is officially relocating to Camp Mohawk, the Citibabes Kids Club @ Equinox continued roll-out in 33 clubs (including Scarsdale) is scheduled for 2011, and Citibabes’ signature programming is available via the Citibabes-to-Go platform in the form of classes, birthday parties, events, and more.

“We have evaluated every option imaginable to keep the Scarsdale club open to no avail,” said Tracey Frost Rensky, CEO and co-founder of Citibabes. “We highly value the loyalty and support of our members and community in Scarsdale. We have focused our efforts to offer several alternatives to our families and will do everything we can to ease the transition for every child.”

According to information on the site, “pre-paid membership fees and class subscription for the period of December 31, 2010 through the conclusion of agreements will be reimbursed to all applicable Citibabes’ Scarsdale members.”