Former winery is now center for parents

The brick building that was once the Caterina Winery at 905 N. Washington St, has been transformed into a nest.

Instead of wine racks there are now shelves of LolliDoo and Fuzzibunz brand cloth diapers. Instead of a tasting room, there is now the Nurturing Room where new mothers get massages. Instead of a seating area where wine drinkers could watch live bands, there is now a play area for children and toddlers that features a slide.

Bella Cova, which translates into “beautiful nest,” is a resource and retail center for parents. It opened its doors June 1.

Owned by Heather Villa and her husband, the center is dedicated to empowering new mothers with knowledge, services and products to help them take care of their babies, according to its Facebook page. 

“We want to be a resource and open all available options to mamas to make their own decisions,” Villa said.

According to Villa, many of the products that are sold in Bella Cova are made from recyclable materials. LolliDoo’s cloth diapers are made recycled from plastic bottles and diaper wipes are made from upcycled receiving blankets. There is also breast feeding pumps made by Hygeia, which is the only breast pump company endorsed by La Leche League International and organic soap made by the Bare Bubbles Soap Company.

In addition to selling products, the center also has a lending library with books on nursing, parenting and birthing. Across from the lending library is the is a designated area where parents can park their strollers and a play area.

Besides the Nurturing Room, the center has their Mamaste Studio, where mothers can attend classes for yoga, dancing and birthing.

“New parenting is a tough deal, it’s important to have a support group,” Villa said.

Rinzen Kruger, a birthing instructor, will be teaching a five to six week birthing class starting July 11. Like Villa, Kruger sees the center as a hub where new mothers can come together and support each other.

“We want to be a Mecca to moms so they don’t have to feel like they’re alone,” Kruger said.

Parenting groups in Spokane, like Mindful Mamas and Attachment Parenting Village, also meet at Bella Cova every Thursday and Friday, respectfully.

In the future, the center will be implementing a Stork Market Cafe, which will serve healthy snacks as well as espresso. According to Villa, there are also plans to put a kitchen in the center, which will serve items to parents to help prepare dinners for their family and picnics to take to the park. 

In addition to having Bella Cova be a resource to new parents, Villa is also focusing on catering to other citizens around Spokane. Hanging on the walls of the center are pictures from local photographers, which will rotate every month.

“We’ve got hotels and apartment tenants around here, we want to offer things for everybody,” Villa said.

Other resources for parents:

Bella Cova’s event calendar

Bloom Spokane

Spokane Birth Support