PLAY AND PIZZA. Not together, though – no pizza in the play place! Crickets Pizza – its name a nod to Fall Creek High School's mascot – quietly opened this spring, welcoming families and folks of all ages.

I can think of few places I would have rather been, at eight years old, than scrambling through The Play Place at a McDonald’s. It wasn’t really about the location – although those old-school burger stools and the promise of french fries didn’t hurt – but the endless tubes and turns and slides, only open to kids. While today’s McDonald’s don’t have those awesome indoor play spaces anymore, there’s another place in the Chippewa Valley that does: Crickets Pizza.

Less than a half hour’s drive from Eau Claire, Crickets Pizza quietly opened this spring after years of behind-the-scenes efforts from longtime local (and 68th District Representative), Karen Hurd. As its name implies, pizza is the name of their game – but Crickets Pizza isn’t just about the dough.

Although, it is worth pointing out that Fall Creek doesn’t have another pizza-focused restaurant – or a grocery store, for that matter. There are none of the national chains like Domino’s or Toppers either; if you wanted a homemade pie, you’d have to do it yourself.

Crickets Pizza is housemade with recipes from Ruth Voetmann, manager of the business.

After nearly three decades of living in Fall Creek, Karen said she had seen all types of businesses come and go. But no one had ever done their own pizza.

“I didn’t think it would survive, if I just ran a pizza shop,” Karen said. “But I didn’t want to sell alcohol – there’s three bars here that are great – so I thought, ‘what’s missing in Fall Creek?’ A place for kids.”

From that lightbulb moment on, Crickets Pizza was built out intentionally. Its building – a 1930s-era structure, formerly Kristi’s Sweets & Treats – has been gutted and revitalized from the floor up (including the wiring and plumbing), with specific care put toward its interior layout.

Inside, you’ll find tabletop seating for duos and groups, and a counter to order homemade ‘za (there are gluten-free and dairy-free options too). After ordering, you’ll take a number back to your seat – dining room, mezzanine, and outdoor options available.

What does the mezzanine look over, you ask? An 18-foot-tall, four-level play place. Obviously.

Just shy of 400 square feet, the play place has an obstacle course-style top level with a winding blue slide that could take you to a lower level; punching bags and foam toys and climbable structures galore make up the rest of its levels. The “walls” of the play place are all netting, too, so parents and guardians can see inside – even while lounging at the mezzanine.

“People can dine there and still look out at the play place,” Karen said. “I made sure when we designed the play place that we had an entrance to the mezzanine as well as the floor.”

"It's definitely worth it."

KAREN HURD

CRICKETS PIZZA OWNER, ON THE TWO-PLUS-YEAR EFFORT TO BRING THE BUSINESS TO LIFE

Interior dining accommodates groups and duos, while additional seating can be found in the mezzanine and outdoor patio.

Cricket Sticks are "to die for," according to owner Karen Hurd.

While the public doesn’t need to pay for entry to the play place, it’s a sort of “good faith” rule that patrons will have a bite to eat or sip while there. Those homemade eats are partially thanks to Ruth Voetmann, manager of Crickets Pizza, and one of Karen's children.

As for how Ruth got involved with Crickets Pizza, that comes back to the dough. “She told me, ‘Mom, I have the best dough recipe for pizza dough.’ So, she came up with all these recipes,” Karen said. “She came up with our barbecue chicken pizza, our Cricket Sticks – those are to die for – and she's doing a wonderful job.”

Crickets Pizza is a years-in-progress project which finally welcomed patrons this spring. An official grand opening will be held in the near future once final touches are made.

After about two years of planning, renovating and remodeling, purchasing and placing equipment, and then hiring a team, Crickets Pizza opened in May. While it hasn't held a grand opening yet (awaiting additional signage), it’s already garnered regulars.

“It’s definitely worth it,” Karen said. “It’s so good for Fall Creek, for the kids, the employees – we have high schoolers that are always looking for a job and usually have to go all the way to Eau Claire (for one). I tell you, we have some really great kids; We have some high schoolers and homeschoolers, and for a lot of them, it’s their first job. They’re doing an outstanding job.”

For kids – and adults, too – of all ages, Crickets Pizza is open seven days a week from about 12-9pm. Make yourself at home; Crickets is here to stay.

Crickets Pizza (129 E. Lincoln Ave., Fall Creek) is open seven days a week from about 12-9pm • Online orders and more information can be found at cricketspizza.com • Keep up with the business on Facebook or call at (715) 708-2110