Trendy Town Play Cafe and new Dairy Queen planned in Hempfield

Hempfield supervisors are set to vote Monday on two site plans, at the Dairy Queen across from Lynch Field and a neighboring building proposed to transform into The Trendy Town Play Cafe.

The Dairy Queen restaurant will be demolished and rebuilt under the proposal, Township Manager Aaron Siko said. There will be improved parking space and a buffer added to separate the lot from a neighboring car wash on New Alexandria Road.

The new Dairy Queen building will be 3,100 square feet, according to information presented to the township planning commission. It was unclear when the project might start, if approved.

Dairy Queen media representatives did not respond to a message seeking comment.

A neighboring building that previously housed a furniture store is proposed to become a third location for Alisha Edwards, who owns The Trendy Bunny Studio in Greensburg and The Trendy Bunny Event Cafe on Blank School Road in Hempfield. The Greensburg location includes an indoor play space for children.

The new spot grew out of the popularity of the existing locations.

“I’m a huge believer that we should be leaning into our customers’ feedback,” she said.

The Trendy Town Play Cafe will address that feedback by adding more play and event space, as well as coffee and baked goods for adults to enjoy. The play space at The Trendy Bunny Studio, which opened in March 2020, is open only on weekdays because events are booked on weekends.

“We are limited just because of the space that we’re in,” Edwards said.

The new, bigger space on New Alexandria Road will allow for play and birthday parties to take place simultaneously, she said.

Proposed site improvements before township supervisors include paving and landscaping.

There has been a lot of behind-the-scenes preparation work while waiting for approvals by Hempfield supervisors. Once the necessary permits are secured, Edwards said, she hopes the renovations can start immediately with an anticipated opening date sometime in 2026.

When the play cafe opens, there will be large areas for children to use their imaginations. There even will be a custom carousel.

“We’re pretty excited,” Edwards said.

The existing Trendy locations will remain open.

Supervisor Doug Weimer said he was happy to see that both of the sites will add sidewalks.

The township planning commission previously approved both site plans.