{"id":5305,"date":"2026-04-16T08:52:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T08:52:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/homecares.net\/?p=5305"},"modified":"2026-04-16T08:52:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T08:52:15","slug":"da-spot-a-haven-for-families-born-from-a-desire-for-inclusion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/?p=5305","title":{"rendered":"Da Spot: A Haven for Families, Born from a Desire for Inclusion"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Shariece Simbahon and Coltin Sisk, driven by their personal experiences as parents of a child with autism, have created a unique dining concept designed to be a sanctuary for families seeking a judgment-free environment. Their venture, &quot;Da Spot,&quot; offers a welcoming atmosphere where children with diverse needs can enjoy meals and activities without the societal pressures that often accompany dining out. The first location opened in August in Gladwin, Michigan, followed by a second in February at the Bay City Town Center. This initiative stems from a desire to combat the isolation many families face when their children&#8217;s sensory needs or behaviors are not understood or accommodated by mainstream establishments.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/homecares.net\/?p=5305\/#The_Genesis_of_Da_Spot_A_Personal_Journey\" >The Genesis of Da Spot: A Personal Journey<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/homecares.net\/?p=5305\/#Two_Distinct_Concepts_One_Shared_Mission\" >Two Distinct Concepts, One Shared Mission<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/homecares.net\/?p=5305\/#The_Gladwin_Location_An_Immersive_Sensory_Experience\" >The Gladwin Location: An Immersive Sensory Experience<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/homecares.net\/?p=5305\/#The_Bay_City_Location_A_Culinary_Focus_with_Takeaway_Options\" >The Bay City Location: A Culinary Focus with Takeaway Options<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/homecares.net\/?p=5305\/#The_Unique_Culinary_Identity_of_Da_Spot\" >The Unique Culinary Identity of Da Spot<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/homecares.net\/?p=5305\/#Naming_the_Haven_%22Da_Spot%22_and_its_Meaning\" >Naming the Haven: &quot;Da Spot&quot; and its Meaning<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/homecares.net\/?p=5305\/#Beyond_Profit_A_Mission_of_Empathy_and_Understanding\" >Beyond Profit: A Mission of Empathy and Understanding<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/homecares.net\/?p=5305\/#Future_Aspirations_Expanding_the_Inclusive_Vision\" >Future Aspirations: Expanding the Inclusive Vision<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Genesis_of_Da_Spot_A_Personal_Journey\"><\/span>The Genesis of Da Spot: A Personal Journey<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The inspiration for Da Spot was deeply personal for Simbahon and Sisk. Their five-year-old daughter, Skye, was diagnosed with autism, a developmental disability that can affect social interaction, communication, and behavior. Simbahon described Skye as a child who is &quot;constantly on the move and stims often,&quot; behaviors that, while natural for her, could be perceived as disruptive in traditional dining settings. This led the couple to cease dining out, a decision many families in similar situations often make.<\/p>\n<p>&quot;We didn&#8217;t want to ruin anybody&#8217;s experience,&quot; Simbahon explained, highlighting the common dilemma faced by parents of children with autism or other neurodevelopmental differences. The fear of causing discomfort to other patrons or facing disapproving glances often outweighs the desire for a shared family meal outside the home. This realization sparked a creative drive within Simbahon and Sisk. They didn&#8217;t want to forgo the simple pleasure of eating out entirely; instead, they envisioned a solution that would allow families like theirs to participate in these experiences without anxiety. This brainstorming led to the conception of Da Spot, a place where the focus is on creating a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable dining experience.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Two_Distinct_Concepts_One_Shared_Mission\"><\/span>Two Distinct Concepts, One Shared Mission<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>While both Da Spot locations operate under the same banner and share a core mission of inclusivity, they offer distinct experiences tailored to their respective spaces.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Gladwin_Location_An_Immersive_Sensory_Experience\"><\/span>The Gladwin Location: An Immersive Sensory Experience<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>The Gladwin branch, located at 1210 N. State St., embodies a more interactive and sensory-rich environment. Here, patrons are encouraged to engage with their surroundings in ways that are often restricted in conventional restaurants. The walls themselves serve as a canvas, allowing children and adults alike to express their creativity through drawing. For those seeking digital entertainment, PlayStation 5 consoles are available. Beyond these amenities, the Gladwin Da Spot is equipped with a variety of sensory-friendly toys and games, designed to cater to different sensory preferences and provide outlets for self-regulation.<\/p>\n<p>Simbahon elaborated on the philosophy behind the Gladwin location, emphasizing its role as a place where families can relax and dine without the constant worry of their child needing to remain seated or perfectly still. She recounted a recent visit from a family with children aged nine to fourteen, who had stopped dining out years prior due to their children&#8217;s needs. The family&#8217;s experience at Da Spot was transformative. One child, described as artistic, created a mural on the wall, while another engaged with video games. Meanwhile, the parents were able to enjoy their meal together, a simple yet profound pleasure that had been out of reach for years. &quot;They had a great time. It was something different for them,&quot; Simbahon noted, underscoring the emotional impact of such an experience. &quot;It&#8217;s good to make that connection when you feel like you&#8217;re the only one.&quot;<\/p>\n<p>The Gladwin location also fosters a sense of community through regular events. The establishment hosts game nights and movie nights, often featuring themed food and contests, further enhancing the social and recreational aspects of the dining experience.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Bay_City_Location_A_Culinary_Focus_with_Takeaway_Options\"><\/span>The Bay City Location: A Culinary Focus with Takeaway Options<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>The Bay City location, situated within the Bay City Town Center at 4101 Wilder Road, offers a slightly different, yet equally vital, aspect of the Da Spot concept. While it shares the same commitment to delicious and creatively presented food, it does not feature the extensive dine-in play space found in Gladwin. This location primarily focuses on the culinary offerings, providing a convenient option for families who may not require the full sensory immersion but still seek a welcoming and understanding environment for their meals. The intention here is to provide high-quality food in a setting that is less stressful than a typical mall food court or restaurant.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Unique_Culinary_Identity_of_Da_Spot\"><\/span>The Unique Culinary Identity of Da Spot<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The menu at Da Spot is as innovative and thoughtful as its dining concept, with a particular emphasis on waffles. This choice is rooted in Simbahon&#8217;s personal experience with Skye. She observed that children with autism often have specific food preferences and sensitivities to textures. Waffles, a food that Skye adores, became a cornerstone of their culinary experimentation.<\/p>\n<p>&quot;It was a way for us to just get creative,&quot; Simbahon explained, detailing how she and Sisk would &quot;test drive&quot; new creations on Skye, topping waffles with various inventive combinations. This dedication to understanding and accommodating diverse palates is evident throughout their menu.<\/p>\n<p>The offerings include a diverse range of sweet and savory Belgian waffles, alongside doughnuts, &quot;croffls&quot; (a hybrid of croissant and waffle), specialty sodas known as &quot;dirty sodas,&quot; boba tea, and refreshing beverages. The menu actively incorporates current culinary trends, showcasing items like a strawberry Dubai waffle and creatively named doughnuts such as Cookie Monster and Biscoff.<\/p>\n<p>Sisk articulated the restaurant&#8217;s commitment to standing out: &quot;Our biggest thing is sticking out. I want crazy waffles, something to remember.&quot; He described his personal satisfaction when customers are so impressed by the visual appeal of a dish that they immediately reach for their phones to capture it before taking their first bite. This, he believes, is a clear indicator of success. His personal favorite is the &quot;cowboy waffle,&quot; a unique cornbread waffle topped with chili, shredded cheese, and green onions, a testament to their adventurous approach to flavor.<\/p>\n<p>The dedication to homemade quality extends to their fillings and toppings, with many components prepared in-house. Furthermore, their waffle batters are customized, featuring unique flavors like red velvet, taco, cornbread, and even pizza batter, further expanding the creative possibilities.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Naming_the_Haven_%22Da_Spot%22_and_its_Meaning\"><\/span>Naming the Haven: &quot;Da Spot&quot; and its Meaning<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The name &quot;Da Spot&quot; itself has a charming origin story that reflects Simbahon&#8217;s Hawaiian heritage and a collaborative spirit with Sisk. Simbahon, accustomed to shortening words and using &quot;da&quot; instead of &quot;the,&quot; initially expressed their need for a dedicated space by saying, &quot;We need a spot; we need a spot.&quot; This naturally evolved into &quot;The Spot.&quot;<\/p>\n<p>Sisk, however, playfully intervened, insisting on incorporating Simbahon&#8217;s linguistic style. &quot;I was like, &#8216;There&#8217;s no way I&#8217;m going to let you do The. You&#8217;re Hawaiian. We&#8217;re throwing the Da on there,&#8217;&quot; he recalled. This led to the finalized name, &quot;Da Spot,&quot; which they feel perfectly encapsulates its purpose. &quot;We call it Da Spot because it hits the spot,&quot; Sisk explained, emphasizing the venue&#8217;s ability to satisfy a deep need for connection and enjoyment, offering &quot;just so many different things you can do.&quot;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Beyond_Profit_A_Mission_of_Empathy_and_Understanding\"><\/span>Beyond Profit: A Mission of Empathy and Understanding<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>For Simbahon and Sisk, Da Spot is not primarily a profit-driven enterprise. Their core motivation lies in creating a welcoming and understanding environment for families who have historically felt marginalized or misunderstood in public spaces. They have personally experienced the &quot;judgmental and cruel&quot; reactions some people can have towards differences.<\/p>\n<p>&quot;We&#8217;ve experienced firsthand how judgmental and cruel some people can be, you know? Not everybody, but there&#8217;s some people who just don&#8217;t understand,&quot; Simbahon stated, reflecting on the societal challenges faced by families with neurodivergent children. &quot;I never want other people to feel that way.&quot; This deep-seated empathy fuels their dedication to their mission.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Future_Aspirations_Expanding_the_Inclusive_Vision\"><\/span>Future Aspirations: Expanding the Inclusive Vision<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Looking ahead, Simbahon and Sisk harbor ambitious plans for Da Spot. They aim to continue growing their business and are dreaming of expanding their inclusive dining concept internationally. Their journey, which began with a personal need, has blossomed into a movement that seeks to redefine how society accommodates and celebrates diversity, one meal at a time. The success of Da Spot serves as a powerful testament to the impact of understanding, empathy, and the creation of spaces where everyone feels valued and accepted.<\/p>\n<!-- RatingBintangAjaib -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Shariece Simbahon and Coltin Sisk, driven by their personal experiences as parents of a child with autism, have created a unique dining concept designed to be a sanctuary for families seeking a judgment-free environment. Their venture, &quot;Da Spot,&quot; offers a welcoming atmosphere where children with diverse needs can enjoy meals and activities without the societal &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5304,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[59],"tags":[744,745,60,629,743,746,6,62,61,742],"newstopic":[],"class_list":["post-5305","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-disability-support-independent-living","tag-born","tag-desire","tag-disability-support","tag-families","tag-haven","tag-inclusion","tag-independent-living","tag-mobility","tag-special-needs","tag-spot"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5305","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5305"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5305\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5304"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5305"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5305"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5305"},{"taxonomy":"newstopic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fnewstopic&post=5305"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}