At WonderPlay & Coffee in Avondale, families find a space where children can play and parents can relax with coffee and pastries. The café, operated by Scott Tran and Trina Mabborang, offers an environment focused on imaginative play for preschoolers and toddlers.
The idea for WonderPlay & Coffee came from the couple’s experience as young parents searching for suitable play spaces for their daughter Reyna. “WonderPlay was built with one very specific user in mind: Reyna, their three-year old daughter. As young parents, they struggled to find spaces where Reyna could play comfortably. ” Scott explained. As a result, WonderPlay became designed entirely through the eyes of little Reyna. Scott says.
The business is located in a former autobody shop that has been transformed into a child-friendly venue featuring padded playsets and pretend cafés. WonderPlay collaborates with local organizations such as Bubbles Academy, Brain To Belly Yoga, and Unocoi Art Studio to offer classes. Plans are underway to introduce early childhood education programs including story time and puppet shows.
Parents visiting WonderPlay can enjoy coffee sourced from Magnifico, a local Colombian roaster, along with pastries from Umaga Bakery—a nod to Filipino traditions—and vegan treats from Mindful Baking. These partnerships reflect the owners’ Vietnamese and Filipino backgrounds. “Through thoughtful partnerships, they integrate Vietnamese and Filipino culture with the local flavor of Avondale,” the release notes.
Trina’s background in painting and sculpture influences the design of the space while Scott’s experience in real estate helps manage operations. Together they aim to create an environment that balances function with creativity.
Since opening in May 2025, WonderPlay has grown its membership base to 170 families and served over 3,500 families from the community. Feedback from patrons has been positive according to Scott: “Hearing the community’s feedback is some of the most rewarding parts of their job.”
Starting the business presented challenges related to city licensing and approval processes. “Scott says it took them a year, from getting a conversation with the landlord to opening day.” They credit patience and support networks—including guidance from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC)—for helping them navigate these hurdles.
For Tran and Mabborang, running WonderPlay is about more than financial success; it is about building an inclusive space for families rooted in cultural heritage and creativity. “For them, the success of WonderPlay isn’t just about financial success, but creating that environment where families can feel seen and kids can thrive,” Scott says.