The Giggling Pig is scheduled to open at 38 Columbus St. in Seymour on May 1.
SEYMOUR – A place for kids ages 2 – 16 to express their creativity and get messy is scheduled to open downtown next month.
The Giggling Pig is a children’s art studio and party space set to make its debut at 38 Columbus St. on May 1.
Excitement is already growing, with the space booking birthday parties, mothers and fathers Day’s painting events and more, according to Pia Migani, who will open the franchise in partnership with The Giggling Pig founder and owner Hannah Perry.
The award-winning art studio offers art classes, after-school enrichment programs, birthday parties, special events and seasonal camps. Perry said the programs place an emphasis on “teaching children about the importance of kindness, friendship and community through the limitless possibility of creating.”
Perry opened The Giggling Pig, named after her children’s book, “The Giggling Pig and Friends,” in 2011 in Shelton. She has since branched out with franchises in Bethel, Milford (opening May 3) and now Seymour, with two more locations (yet to be named) in the works.
Perry isn’t stopping in Connecticut and hopes to make The Giggling Pig a household name nationally and internationally, as well.
“I’m planning on two more Connecticut locations, then after that, it’s about moving across country,” she said. “I also have talks in place now for one in Bangkok, and the U.K.,” Perry said. “So, fingers crossed that The Giggling Pig is able to spread art, love and teach about kindness and compassion to many, many more children.”
Perry is a transplant from England, having earned a degree in childhood education and development from Beverley College in Yorkshire. She came to the U.S. in 1999 where she became an au pair that enabled her to follow her passion of working with children. As a single mother, Perry had trouble finding places to take her own kids to express their creativity. That inspired her to ultimately open her own studio.
“The secret is that I love what I do,” Perry said. “My children are the main reason I find ways to make things work. I built a model that works and no matter what is happening in the world, children will always need to express themselves. We understand the importance of happy childhood memories. I think the combination of determination, love and a little magic can make anything seem possible.”
Migani, whose family owns buildings downtown, including the senior apartment tower on Columbus Street, is a mom herself. She’s excited to bring The Giggling Pig to more families.
“My children are currently 5 and 8, and as a parent, I can say that I am always looking for fun, inclusive and age-appropriate activities that they can enjoy with their friends,” Migani said. “We’re excited to be able to do this within the incredible format of The Giggling Pig.”
Migani’s father, architect Joe Migani, said the art studio will complement surrounding downtown businesses, including the Glass Source Studios and Tea with Tracy.
“All of our initiatives center on the concept of community and family and we are excited to extend this focus to children and the collective joy we all share in creating,” he said.
The Giggling Pig will occupy a 1,500-square-foot space that previously housed a hair salon that has since moved to another downtown storefront.
Perry said the Seymour location, which will have 3 – 10 employees, is a perfect spot.
“Seymour’s pedestrian-oriented downtown provides an opportunity for family activities: children may participate in an art class or party, while parents enjoy tea, shopping or an art class of their own downtown.”
First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis is glad to welcome the new addition downtown.
“We are so excited about this new venture for our children and the added foot traffic it will bring to downtown Seymour,” Drugonis said.
Economic Development Consultant Sheila O’Malley agreed.
“As parents and grandparents, we are always looking for fun things to do with our kids,” O’Malley said. “This will help fill a need. Anything that draws people downtown, especially children with their parents, helps a downtown grow.”
For more information, visit The Giggling Pig website.
As a side note, the space The Giggling Pig will occupy was spared from the devastating fire April 20 that destroyed several businesses nearby on Bank Street.
“Luckily, none of our buildings were significantly impacted by the fire,” said Pia Migani. “We’re incredibly grateful for all of the efforts of the fire department and emergency personnel in containing the fire and assisting our tenants in safely evacuating our buildings as a precaution and during the power outage.”
