When Cait Close was a stay-at-home mom, she documented fun things she did with her son on her Instagram account—Your Mom Friend South Jersey. As she built a following and organized community events, she saw firsthand how much parents of young children craved spaces intentionally designed not just for their children, but for them, too. Inspired by her love of creating community, she opened River & Root—a permanent space where families with young children could gather. We spoke with the Camden County mom of two about the meaning behind the name River & Root, how River & Root’s nature theme shows up in every detail inside and out, and all her favorite mom-owned businesses in South Jersey. (Featured photo credit: River & Root)
Please share about your family and background.
I was born and raised in South Jersey, and my career started in education, where I taught and worked for Teach For America and served as an elementary school assistant principal. When I became pregnant with my first child, I knew I wanted to move back home to South Jersey to be closer to family. I’m now a mom to an almost four-year-old son and an almost two-year-old daughter. After becoming a stay-at-home mom, I wanted to create something of my own. I started documenting the fun things my son and I did together on my Instagram, Your Mom Friend South Jersey. What started as sharing local activities grew into a community. I began organizing monthly meetups and events for families with young children, from Lattes & Littles at coffee shops to Parents & Pints at breweries and playdates at local businesses. Through those experiences, I saw firsthand how much parents of young children craved spaces intentionally designed not just for their children, but for them, too. That ultimately became a huge part of the inspiration for River & Root.
Where did the idea and name for River & Root originate?
The idea for River & Root really grew out of the community I had built through Your Mom Friend South Jersey. After spending so much time bringing families together, I realized we needed a permanent space where families with young children could gather. I didn’t want to create simply another place for kids to play. I wanted to create a place centered around connection, community, developmentally appropriate play, thoughtfully designed classes and events, and opportunities for families to build real relationships. That idea eventually became River & Root—“River” comes from River Road in Pennsville, where my grandmother lived for many years later in her life. She loved living on the river, and my grandma was truly my person. She was a huge inspiration to me and, in many ways, gave me the courage to follow my own dreams. “Root” represents my family’s roots here in Barrington. My mom currently owns a business in Barrington, and my grandmother owned a business here in the 1970s while she was raising her children. It means a lot to me to be the third generation of women in my family to own a business in this community.
What can families expect when they visit and what makes River & Root unique compared to other play spaces?
From the moment you walk into River & Root, we want you to feel welcomed. Our staff is truly one of the best parts of our space. Many of our team members are local moms with young children themselves, so we understand that when you walk through our doors, you’re carrying more than just a diaper bag. Maybe the morning was stressful, someone skipped a nap, or you just really needed to get out of the house. We designed even the smallest details with that experience in mind. We custom-built and sized our entry cubbies using a diaper bag, and we added a toddler-sized bench where little ones can sit to take off their shoes. Our indoor play space is nature-inspired and intentionally designed for children ages 0 to 4. We have custom-built trees, a play camper where children can pretend to cook or head out on an adventure, a pretend campsite and picnic area, climbing and gross-motor opportunities, and a separate gated infant area filled with developmentally appropriate materials. Before we opened, I invited occupational therapists, physical therapists, and child development professionals into the space to help guide our design and ensure that what we were creating was truly appropriate for the children we serve. We also have a unique outdoor play yard, which was designed in partnership with a local nature school. It includes a mud kitchen, mixing stations, nature sorting, water play, sensory tables, building materials, logs, planks, and ramps, a sandbox, a swing, a slide, and lots of opportunities for open-ended outdoor play. What makes River & Root different, though, is that the space itself is only part of what we’re building—the heart of River & Root is community.
Cait Close and her family with their two young children in front of River & Root. Photo Credit: River & Root
What have you learned about yourself through becoming a mompreneur?
I’ve learned that building something you care deeply about while raising young children can be simultaneously one of the most exciting and one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. The mom guilt is real. When you work for someone else, it can sometimes be easier to blame the late nights or long days on the job. When you own the business, you decide how much time to give it. That can be difficult when the time you’re investing in something you’ve created can also feel like time you’re taking away from your children. I keep reminding myself that I’m also creating a legacy for them. My children are watching their mom build something she believes in. They’re watching me create a place that has brought joy to other children, helped parents form friendships, created memories for families, provided jobs in our community, and allowed me to pursue something professionally that I’m genuinely passionate about. I hope someday they find something they care about enough to work this hard for, too.
What do you hope your children learn from watching you run your business?
I hope they learn that if you believe something should exist, it’s worth trying to create it. I want them to see that having an idea doesn’t mean you know exactly how to make it happen. Sometimes you figure it out as you go. You ask questions, find people who know things you don’t, make mistakes, change your plans, and keep going. I also want them to know that failure isn’t something to be afraid of. We spend so much time teaching our children that they can succeed, but I think it’s equally important for them to see that we can try something, fail, learn from it, and try again. I don’t know exactly what River & Root will look like years from now, but I know I created something I believe in and put my energy toward something that extends beyond myself. I hope watching that gives my children the courage to pursue the things they believe in someday, too.
What are your favorite NJ businesses and local spots, and why do you love them?
I support local mom-owned businesses whenever I can, even if it means going a little out of my way. I know firsthand what it takes to build something while raising little ones, so it’s really important to me to support other moms chasing their dreams. Superbloom Bake Shoppe in Haddon Township, co-owned by moms Randi and Kyrié, is incredible. Their cakes, cookies, and treats are some of my absolute favorites, especially for kids’ celebrations. I also love Dandelion District in Haddonfield, a children’s consignment shop owned by Corey. I’m there all the time shopping for my own two little ones, and they always have such a great selection. Boswood Bagels in Clementon, owned by local mom Kim, makes fresh, hand-rolled bagels and some of the best breakfast sandwiches around. Meraki Market in Haddonfield is one of the coolest and most unique shops in South Jersey. Beyond plants and crystals, they’re constantly dreaming up creative workshops and experiences, from aura photography to plant consultations. It’s co-owned by Madison, another mom raising a little one, and I love seeing the creative things they keep bringing to the community. Another favorite is Twin Poppy Supply Co., a plant shop owned by Caitlin, a local mom of twin boys. They offer beautiful houseplants and handcrafted planters along with workshops and other experiences.
What advice do you have for mompreneurs just starting?
The short answer is just to start. The worst thing that can happen is that it doesn’t work, and even that isn’t really the end of the story. There’s something incredibly valuable about showing our children that adults can take risks, work hard at something, fail, learn, and try again. I also think finding a support system is incredibly important. At River & Root, we host a monthly Mom Boss Meetup for local moms with young children who are also running or building businesses (join!). That community has been invaluable to me. There is something powerful about sitting in a room with women who understand both sides of what you’re carrying: raising children while also trying to build something.
To learn more about Cait Close and River & Root, visit her website, Facebook, and Instagram.
