Business Excellence Award Winner Spotlight
Small Business of the Year: The PlayGarten
Thank you to everyone who joined us at the 2026 Business Excellence Awards! We're proud to spotlight our winners and share their successes.
The PlayGarten
The PlayGarten, which opened in May 2024, stemmed from a simple thought: as Summit County parents, we craved a year-round space where kids could get energy out and parents and friends could gather and connect. After spending years in the corporate world, we also felt drawn to build something tangible that would serve local families, create jobs, support other businesses, and become part of the fabric of Summit County.
These ideas are the foundation for The PlayGarten.
Like many families in our community, we love everything Summit County has to offer. We ski, hike, camp, and spend as much time outdoors as possible. But we also know that mountain life comes with long winters, unpredictable weather, and plenty of days when outdoor recreation isn't the answer. As we thought about creating the perfect Summit County family gathering space, we kept coming back to the best parts of our favorite outdoor gathering spaces. The places we loved most weren't designed exclusively for children or exclusively for adults. They created a welcoming space for both. Kids could play freely while adults relaxed, shared a meal or drink, and reconnected with friends and family.
Our tagline, “Play. Drink. Gather,” captures The PlayGarten experience. At The PlayGarten we regularly host multi-generational groups, all enjoying our space. We see a toddler scramble through the playground, a teenager challenging friends in the arcade, grandparents joining a birthday celebration, and parents enjoying a conversation they actually get to finish. Whether guests spend the entire afternoon with us or stop in after a day on the slopes, trails, or lake, The PlayGarten is a place where families and friends come to connect, move, and gather.
Since opening, we've also been honored to be the gathering place of choice for large and small events for both visitors and locals. These include Summit After Prom, the Summit County Employee picnic, rehearsal dinners, and over 250 birthday parties, company holiday parties and small group gatherings. We’ve also expanded our offerings to include hosting multiple weeks of onsite Summer camps and community events such as Halloween and holiday celebrations. We're especially excited about our upcoming patio renovation, made possible through a recent grant award, which will allow us to create even more opportunities for outdoor play and gathering during Summit County's beautiful summer months.
At its heart, The PlayGarten exists for a simple reason: we believe people need spaces where they can connect and make memories together. We're grateful to be part of so many birthday parties, family vacations, après-ski stops, rainy-day adventures, parent meet ups and everyday moments. Thank you for allowing us to be a small part of your Summit County story.
