Jake's Place Clubhouse Takes Over for Frenzy in Norton

Frenzy in Norton had a reputation for family entertainment, and new owners Deija and Cary Nevins said they want to continue the tradition.

The couple also own Jake’s Preschool in Sharon, and they said, while the school is rewarding, they were looking to expand their operation in Norton, at what is now called "Jake’s Place Clubhouse."

Jake's Place Clubhouse is a drop-in play center. They offer indoor children's play, birthday parties, classes for all ages, a drop-off after school club for ages  six and older, teen nights and rentals.

Deija and Cary said previous owner Karen Goodburn was looking to leave the business when they met with her.

“We had been looking for a place to open on our own and we asked her if we could buy some of the things in her building. We moved in a few days after she closed,” said Deija Nevins.

Nevins said that she had been looking for a place to host birthday parties and expand their operation into toddler care. She said that Jake’s Preschool didn’t have the space for everything, and their additional location in Norton allowed them to do everything they wanted.

“All those thoughts were on hold waiting for the right place,” she said. “[Frenzy] was the perfect spot to do what we wanted to do.”

Nevins said that she has been in the education field for quite some time. She originally taught kindergarten through sixth grade, and then at the Sharon afterschool program and also taught at the Sheep Pasture in Easton, protected land owned by the town’s Natural Resource Trust.

“It’s a fantastic place in Easton,” she said. “They teach to all the children in the Easton Public Schools.”

Nevins said she has a master's degree in education administration and a teaching certification in preschool.

She said that their new location, Jake’s Place Clubhouse, is currently offering drop-in classes. She said this is just for the transition period, and more structured scheduling will start in the summer.

“I want to offer what I think people are looking for,” she said.

Some of the classes will have a monthly theme that will involve reading and crafts. She said every month children enrolled in the program will have a book to read on dinosaurs, for example, and then do arts and crafts projects based on the material.

She added that she will be starting summer programs that will have a loose based scheduling to help supplement summer camps and other programs.

But, as anyone who has been to Frenzy can tell you, physical education is also a significant driving force in the school. Nevins said they also offer movement enrichment classes and gross motor classes. Not to mention a mechanical bull and numerous bouncy castles.

Jake's Place Clubhouse is located at 253 Mansfield Ave, Norton. For more information call 508-622-1294, email info@jakesplaceclubhouse.com or visit http://www.jakesplaceclubhouse.com.