On Tuesday, the local art and party studio the Giggling Pig celebrated the opening of its seventh location in the heart of New Haven’s Whitney-Audubon Retail and Arts District.

The whimsical brainchild of child development specialist and entrepreneur Hannah Perry, the flagship Giggling Pig location opened in 2011 in Shelton, Conn. The studio’s mission to provide creative outlets, structured classes and afterschool programs to local families attracted a deluge of business and soon the company began expanding, bringing its services to communities across the state.

Perry credits her success to her business’s ability to fulfill the previously unmet needs of parents.

“I could really see from the inside of a family in America what was missing and what families talked about and what they needed,” she said. “That was really my inspiration, providing a space for kids and families where they could all come and have events and class or find something that helped them to be creative.”

Opening the Giggling Pig was a dream come true for Perry. Now, she uses her prosperity to uplift other women with a passion for creativity and dreams of becoming business owners.

Melissa Mongillo is a parent who first encountered the Giggling Pig as a customer. She fell in love with the business’ civic-minded mission and playful character. Mongillo has since joined Perry’s team as a Managing Partner and Owner of the New Haven location.

“It’s always been Hannah’s dream to be part of the Yale community and part of the New Haven community. It’s always been my dream to be a business owner. So this is an amazing partnership,” Mongillo said during the new location’s opening ceremony on Tuesday.

The ribbon cutting drew a range of community members — from New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker to curious pedestrians welcomed by the open door and cluster of balloons. The opening day crowd overflowed onto the street.

Yale’s very own David DelVeccio of the Office of New Haven Affairs organized the festivities. The location on 55 Whitney Ave. is owned by the University as part of the Shops at Yale. His department is responsible for city partnership and outreach as well as managing the vast portfolio of commercial space Yale owns in the city of New Haven. Perry emphasized her gratitude for the University’s support throughout the opening process.

Yale was equally enthusiastic to work with Perry and Mongillo. Alexandra Daum, associate vice president for New Haven Affairs, spoke at the ribbon cutting about why the Giggling Pig made a perfect fit for New Haven.

“I really love that Hannah and Melissa are very community-oriented,” she said. “They have made friends with every arts organization on the block here, of which there are many. They’re going to add a lot to that character that’s arts-focused in this area, kids-focused. Although it’s not just kids. There’s a bachelorette party already booked apparently!”

The University’s Leasing Broker John Pollard noted that the search to find tenants for Yale properties is “very selective.” Yale’s support for its tenants extends beyond the leasing process. The University’s construction and design teams spent months preparing vacant lots for incoming businesses, Daum said.

The studio plans to provide a plethora of offerings, from kids’ birthday parties to “paint and sip” wine nights to regular classes.

“I have 6 and 8-year-olds, and I believe we’ve been through a half dozen birthday parties at the Giggling Pig,” ribbon-cutting ceremony attendee Win Davis said. “Thank you for teaching me how to make slime.”

Speaking to the crowd, Elicker voiced his own intent to take advantage of the Giggling Pig’s services as the father of a 6 and 9-year-old himself. He said it was obvious that the studio is a welcoming space for “our young people to express themselves.”

Several of the Giggling Pig’s neighbors, other New Haven art collectives and fellow new Shops at Yale tenant Cookie39 attended the ceremony to show their support for the Giggling Pig.

“I love the buzz of a college town,” said Mongillo. “The youth, the activity, the creativity, the young spirit. I grew up right near New Haven, just down the road, so I’ve always loved New Haven, and I’m happy to be part of the Yale community.”

Yale legend and bulldog Handsome Dan was also present at the event.

Elspeth Yeh 2:05 am, Sep 13, 2024