UPDATED: Wiggle Worms Will Remain In Spotsy Mall

BREAKING UPDATE: Wiggle Worms Finds A New Home. The owner of Wiggle Worms in the Spotsylvania Towne Centre just posted this message on the Facebook page: Thank you Joe, Tom, Mark and the whole Cafaro Company!!!!!We have a HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!I AM THRILLED!!!!!!!!Thank you for believing in us!!!!

Fredericksburg Patch will update this story when details are made public.

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Correction: The mall security did not ask the protestors to leave, but did ask them not to walk around the mall and use signs that said, 'We Love Wiggle Worms', or wear any attire that said that. The story has been corrected. 

About 10 to 20 parents protested the lease termination of Wiggle Worms hourly childcare center today at the Spotsylvania Towne Center

Chrissy Gibbs, the owner, said the last day is June 22.

"I am in good faith that the mall will allow us to stay even if it is a smaller location," she said. "I think they are truly working on getting us something. I would re-open as fast as I could. Too many parents rely on us."

Gibbs said a lot of her business is from mall employees who drop of their children while they are working. She has been at the mall location for three years. She said Shingar, a formal clothing store, is taking the 4,200-square-foot space she is in now.

Joe Bell, director of corporate communications for the mall owner Cafaro Cos., said Wiggle Worms has always been considered a temporary tenant at the mall.

"Since it did not have a long-term lease, the owners always were aware of the fact that they could be forced to move after being given a 30-day notice," he said. "Right now, several new retailers are preparing to move into the mall, an existing store is expanding. To accommodate that, several stores are being moved and available space is in short supply.  It was a tough call, but our real estate department had little choice but to end Wiggle Worms lease."

Bell said the company realizes Wiggle Worms is a very popular business with local families and the leasing agent is working with Gibbs to find them a smaller space in the mall.

"I understand they are making progress, and hope to have a new "home" for Wiggle Worms in the very near future. There may be more news by the end of the day," he said today in an email.

Almost 100 parents have liked a Save Wiggle Worms Facebook page already.

Gibbs posted the following message on the business Facebook page, saying today she put her heart and soul into writing it:

Thank you for the support! I found out this morning that our parents have been very busy since I broke the news yesterday. I am shocked at how fast word travels. I wish it was that easy to get the word out when we first opened! I am not very good at expressing my feelings but here it goes....It has been a day after day event over the last 3 years trying to gain everyone's trust with their children. I have had the privilege of getting to know and watch your children grow up one child at a time. It is overwhelming to me the amount of support and love we get from you all. Please pray for us to open in a new location. This has been mine and Leslie's baby from day one. We believe we are needed and wanted in this community. I want you all to know that the mall personnel has been nothing but kind to us. This was a new concept when we started and the mall was gracious enough to give two moms a fighting chance. We have learned a great deal over the last 3 years. This business is not a pure "profit" business in any the sense of the word but it is pure in love and compassion that fills my heart. Parents run this business together. Each one of you has played a part in keeping the doors open. Our staff were our customers first. They work here because they love working with kids as well as dropping off their kids so they may shop and dine when they are not at work. I do this because I LOVE it! I am proud of the fact that we know almost all of our customers by first name. This is more than a business to me...employees and customers are my family. They put a smile on my face and I am excited to see who comes through the doors each day. As much as you are all upset, I am triply upset. I know there is more out there for me and this is just the path that needs to occur for me to get there. I pray we will have a place to go and that you will follow us to our new location now that we have gained your trust. Our store will run regular hours up until the 22nd. Please come out and shop! Thank you for the kind emails, phone calls, and hugs too.