When Alex Rascoll talks about The Bunny Hive—set to open in Fort Monmouth on February 7—she lights up in the way only someone who has truly found her calling can. For the Middletown native, the soon-to-open baby and caregiver studio isn’t just a business. It’s the culmination of a winding personal journey, a full-circle return home, and a chance to build the kind of community she once needed herself.
Rascoll, whose background spans nearly a decade in corporate marketing, became a single mother shortly after her oldest daughter was born. Between work, commuting, and the heavy load of doing it all, the one thing she always felt she missed was connection—the “little gym moments,” she says, the everyday memories shared between caregivers and their children that she often had to outsource to family.
“I threw myself into my career because I felt like I had to,” she shares. “But looking back, those early years went by so fast. I never really had that space to just be with her.”
As life evolved—meeting her husband, welcoming another child, weathering corporate layoffs that came during maternity leave—Rascoll realized the moment she’d been waiting for had arrived. “Once I had the support at home, that corporate grind didn’t fill my cup anymore,” she notes. “I kept thinking: What if I actually built something that mattered to families like mine?”
That “something” revealed itself when she stumbled across an opening announcement for The Bunny Hive’s Hoboken location. And the concept stopped her in her tracks.
Unlike a traditional play café or gym-style model, The Bunny Hive focuses on connection—between parents and children, caregivers and community, and families and local resources. “It’s not a mommy-and-me space,” Rascoll explains. “It’s for any caregiver—dads, grandparents, nannies, aunts, whoever is showing up for that child.”
Soon she was driving to Richmond, V.A. to meet the brand’s team, teaching a baby massage class at their corporate office, and signing on as a franchise owner. “It just made sense,” she says. “Everything aligned, almost like the universe was giving me a nudge.”
What to Expect When the Studio Opens
Rascoll’s Fort Monmouth studio will offer daily classes Monday through Saturday, each intentionally structured with routine and repetition to build confidence in little ones. From music and movement to sensory play and development-inspired sessions, the studio aims to become a dependable part of a family’s weekly rhythm.
But the heart of The Bunny Hive is its “Hive”—a welcoming, living-room-inspired space where families can come early, stay late, or simply drop in for connection. Think cozy couches, a communal table, toys without judgment, and a place where nobody rushes you out the door.
“I want people to feel like they’re stepping into my home,” Rascoll shares. “If you’re running late, it’s fine. If your kid melts down, it’s fine. This space is designed for real life.”
She expects the Hive to evolve into a true community hub, with monthly book clubs, coffee hours, happy hours, and guest sessions hosted by local professionals—from pediatric occupational therapists to parenting experts.
And yes, when the doors open this winter, her newborn will likely be right there with her. “Thank God I went into business for babies,” she jokes.
A Homegrown Mission
Growing up in Middletown, Rascoll always felt Monmouth County had the charm of a “big small town,” full of talent, creativity, and tight-knit support systems. Returning as a business owner only deepened that appreciation.
What she hopes most is that The Bunny Hive becomes more than a studio—it becomes a place where friendships are born, confidence is restored, and families find their village.
“I want to hear people say, ‘I met my best friend at The Bunny Hive,’” she emphasizes. “Or, ‘After having the baby, I didn’t feel like myself, but coming here helped me get out of the house.’ That’s what this is all for.”
Rascoll envisions future partnerships with local nonprofits, family organizations, and community initiatives—from holiday toy drives to service projects—embedding The Bunny Hive into the fabric of Monmouth County life.
“There’s something really special about serving the community you grew up in,” she says. “It feels like everything has come full circle.”
The Beginning of Something Bigger
With her Fort Monmouth studio preparing for its grand opening and a new baby arriving almost simultaneously, Rascoll’s life is as full as ever—but this time, it’s full in all the right ways.
“This has been the craziest five years—in the best way,” she laughs. “A wedding, a baby, a new business, another baby… but it’s been such a fun ride. And it’s really just beginning.”
The Bunny Hive Fort Monmouth
Address: 804 Oceanport Ave, Fort Monmouth, NJ
Phone: (908) 675-9199
Website: thebunnyhive.com/fort-monmouth