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Q&A at the Awesome Playground on York

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The current Awesome-Playground store sign

Click here to see more photos of the Awesome Playground and other businesses on York Blvd.

Awesome Playground, located on 5158 York Blvd, is one of the five businesses participating in the Full Dollar Collection of Contemporary Art. We asked the awesome owner, Kay Osorio, to share a little bit about her business, the Highland Park community, and her ideas about sign painting.

Can you tell us a little bit about your business and how long you have been here in Highland Park?
Awesome Playground is an indoor playground during the week and then on the weekends we host private birthday parties for kids. We also offer child care on Friday nights. We're still in our first year - we just opened last October. I used to work corporate jobs, but when I had my son he kind of changed everything. Now at least when I'm working he can be here with me.

Where are you originally from?
I've been a resident of Northeast LA - Eagle Rock, Highland Park, and Cypress Park - since I was three. I currently live in Highland Park.

What role do you think sign painting plays in this community?
I think this is a very mixed community with all kinds of ethnicities and different economic groups, and it's also very artsy. I think it would be nice to have something fun and artsy that is visually attractive to multiple cultures.

And in your business?
I think it would definitely attract more people because we have a pretty plain building. I want something to show that this is a fun place for kids.

"I used to work corporate jobs, but when I had my son he kind of changed everything. Now at least when I'm working he can be here with me. "

What do you visualize for your businesses' sign?

If I had my choice, I would love to replace the sign we have over our front doorway because that was kind of a band aid sign. We couldn't have our grand opening banner sit there anymore and we didn't have funds to pour into the big sign that we wanted to have.

What do you envision the Full Dollar project being for your business?

I think it will help us bring more attention to the building, which will turn into more business. And I think for the community this will be great because it feels like this part of York is really turning and I don't see that process stopping.

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