Popular Family Activity Chain to Open on Bethesda Row

A popular family activity chain that's drawn the attention of celebrities including Melissa Joan Hart and Katie Holmes is targeting Bethesda for its newest location.

Make Meaning—a shop that offers artistic activities for kids and adults—is set to open in early March 2013 on Bethesda Avenue.

The shop offers seven “creative experiences” that include cake decorating, ceramics, candles, glass, jewelry, soap and paper. A variety of activities are available for each -- for example, visitors can whip up anything from a glass coaster to a glass serving platter as a part of the glass "creative experience."

“Make Meaning is a really cool place and it’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before,” said Daniel Nissanoff, CEO of Make Meaning. “It’s a place to be creative and it’s designed for anybody regardless of whether you have any skills or experience.”

Make Meaning is popular among families in search of creative ways to bond, which is why Bethesda was a prime location for the chain's sixth store, Nissanoff said.

“We look for markets where there is a big density of families because our concept is perceived in the notion of extending meaningful time with family and friends,” Nissanoff says. “Also Bethesda Row is a really beautiful, one-of-a-kind place and we fell in love with it.  So we’re very excited.”  

The activity experience has recently become popular among celebrity moms including Melissa Joan Hart and Katie Holmes.

Holmes and her daughter Suri were spotted visiting the shop on Manhattan's Upper West Side in August, according to new reports, and Make Meaning hosted Melissa Joan Hart's baby shower in September.

So what makes Make Meaning different from other activity shops? Nissanoff said it’s the variety of activities that makes it special.

“Typically when you go into a pottery studio, beading shop, or scrapbooking store, their offerings are very stagnant – it’s basically what they offer is there,” he says.  “The experiences within our departments change seasonally so whenever you come in there’s something new to do. For example, there are 24 scents you can choose from for candle making. We’re in fall scents right now—hose will change next season. It’s a very cool space that is always transforming.”

Not sure what you want to make? No worries. The store’s Associate Creativity Enthusiasts—otherwise known as ACE’s—are on hand to help.

Make Meaning is membership-based activity. Members pay a $36 yearly membership fee and then pay per activity. 

“It’s really exciting watching children and adults react to Make Meaning and interact with the experience,” Nissanoff said. “It’s such a thrill to deliver a destination like this in a community. We are very excited to be in Bethesda.”

The new location will take over the space next door to the Aveda salon.