Ashley Pax quit her job as a certified public accountant to follow her dream of working with children.

She opened Ashley's Playhouse on Feb. 12 in the Anderson Arbor center, 13343 Research Blvd., Ste. 200.

"I just wanted to create this magical place for purposeful play," she said.

Purposeful play allows children to use their imaginations and guide what they want to do. The playhouse has a movie theater, stage, tree house and backyard where they can build structures with giant blocks. She enlisted the help of Wacky World Studios in Orlando to create the custom-made playhouse. Pax said Wacky World works with mega churches to create day care spaces.

Pax charges $12 an hour for infants age 6 weeks to 18 months and $10 an hour for children older than 18 months. Families get a 40 percent discount for each additional sibling, and no reservations are needed.

The playhouse is open Mon.–Thu. 7 a.m.–10 p.m., Fri. 7 a.m.–midnight and Sat. 8 a.m.–midnight. Sundays are family day where the entire family can enjoy the playhouse between 2–6 p.m. for $20. Parents may also rent Ashley's Playhouse for birthday parties on Sundays.

For more information, call 512-872-2755 or visit www.ashleysplayhouseaustin.com.

Other Impacts

NOW OPEN—Patrick Easter reignited his father's business, Easter and Easter Realtors, on Jan. 17. Bob Easter originally founded the company in 1982. Patrick offers full-service residential real estate services for buyers and sellers. The office is located at 11615 Angus Road, Ste. 120, and Patrick's brother, Chris, also will work as a Realtor with the company. 512-487-1999. www.easterandeaster.com

COMING SOON— Restaurateur Brendan Puthoff will open Fork & Vine this summer in the former Casa Chapala spot at 3010 W. Anderson Lane, Ste. D. The New American restaurant and wine bar will have a tasting room, high-top bar seating and outdoor patio area. Construction is scheduled to begin March 1. Puthoff also owns Third Base sports bar and Mighty Bird and brings Chef Camden Stuerzenberger from Bess Bistro and South Congress Cafe to his team.

RELOCATION— Casa Chapala is closing its 3010 W. Anderson Lane, Ste. D, location by early March to move its operations to a new restaurant called Casa Chapala Mexican Grill and Tequila Bar, 9041 Research Blvd. www.casachapala.com