Monday, July 21, 2025

The Rainbow is a new play and community space for kids complete with a mini Ray's Candy Store

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

The Rainbow, which recently opened at 343 E. 10th St. at Avenue B, is the creation of East Village parent Milena "Mimi" Leznicki, who wanted to build something playful, local, and creative — not just for kids, but for the grownups raising them too. 

Designed for babies and children up to age 7 (along with their parents or guardians), The Rainbow is equal parts play space and community hub, with programming that ranges from music and dance to STEM and sensory activities. 

Leznicki gave us a tour of the space, accompanied by her 3-year-old daughter, Phoebe, and pointed out some of the custom touches that make it feel especially East Village.
East Village artist Tom Manco created colorful playhouses modeled after neighborhood businesses, including Ray's Candy Store and Sunny and Annie's.
The space includes wall art of other East Village buildings...
There's another piece of recognizable local art — Jim Power created a rainbow mosaic for the entrance.
Leznicki said she's loved his work forever and was very excited that he agreed to do this project. 

Daily hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can find The Rainbow on Instagram here.
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2 comments:

  1. raecwJuly 21, 2025 at 10:26 AM

    Honestly? I can't wait to check this out with my visiting almost-three nephew as an after-the-playground treat... It looks wonderfully 'charmant' -

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jose GarciaJuly 21, 2025 at 3:08 PM

    We could do without the hideous Astroturf out front. Otherwise good for them.

    ReplyDelete

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