Concept relocating from Southern Maryland expected to open in summer 2021

BALTIMORE, MD (March 23, 2021) – BabyFe, a bilingual learning and childcare center owned and operated by entrepreneur Michele Coggins, has signed a lease with St. John Properties, Inc. for 5,000 square feet of space at 4861 Tesla Drive in Melford Town Center, a 466-acre mixed-use community in Prince George’s County. The concept, which was started in 2018, will relocate from Southern Maryland and into its new home this summer. Michael Sacks of St. John Properties represented the landlord, and John Sindler of Hyatt Commercial represented BabyFe in this transaction.

In response to the pandemic, BabyFe switched to an online tutoring model and currently offers tutoring sessions to students from prekindergarten to eighth grade. This summer, BabyFe will extend its services to bilingual childcare for children ranging from six weeks to five years of age, with instruction delivered in both English and Spanish. The guiding philosophy of the center’s curriculum is that children who learn eight nursery rhymes by the age of four tend to be the among the top readers in their peer group by age eight. As a result, nursery rhymes and learning songs will be sung daily at the center.

“While on maternity leave, I searched for Spanish language classes for parents to participate in with their small children and there were none in the area, so I started my own business,” explained Coggins. “I chose Spanish as the second language because Hispanics represent the largest minority group in the country. Becoming adept at Spanish will accelerate life skills and provide a clear edge with job responsibilities, networking and general business applications. Our infant and toddler classroom will be completely immersive. Children in those classrooms will hear and use 100% Spanish, 100% of the time. Our preschool classrooms are bilingual in English and Spanish to prepare students for kindergarten. Melford Town Center represents the perfect location for our move because it serves such a diverse demographic with parents eager to enrich their child’s educational experience.”

Located at the intersection of US Route 50 and MD Route 3/301 in Bowie, St. John Properties has developed more than one million square feet of commercial office, flex/R&D and retail space at Melford Town Center. The business community contains a Courtyard by Marriott hospitality amenity, and more than 85,000 square feet of additional retail space is planned. It is located approximately 18 miles from BWI Airport and 25 miles from Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Nearly 120,000 vehicles pass the mixed-use community via US Route 50 on a daily basis.

“BabyFe is a highly-creative concept that fills a need in the Prince George’s County area and, combined with the enthusiasm and work ethic displayed by its owner, we expect a long and successful tenure at Melford Town Center,” explained Sean Doordan, Senior Vice President of Leasing and Acquisitions for St. John Properties. “BabyFe will be an innovative, center-based bilingual childcare center in Prince George’s County. Like many entrepreneurs, Michele Coggins saw a need and filled it.”

“BabyFe brings quality childcare and 21st century bilingual early childhood education to Melford and Bowie. With easy access to business, Ms. Coggin’s presence will continue to elevate our quality of life,” stated John Henry King Economic Development Director, City of Bowie Maryland.

Founded in 1971 and headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, St. John Properties, Inc. is one of the Mid-Atlantic’s largest privately held commercial real estate firms. The company is distinguished by their commitment to customer service, achievements in green building, and top-rated workplace culture. Throughout St. John Properties’ 50-year history, the company has developed more than 21 million square feet of flex/R&D, Office, Retail and Warehouse space serving more than 2,500 clients in Maryland, Colorado, Louisiana, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Utah, and Wisconsin. For more information about the company, visit sjp.mu9b0uf9-liquidwebsites.com.