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Midwest Winners

Staff -- Gifts and Dec, 1/1/2010 12:00:00 AM

Frankenmuth, Mich.

Frankenmuth Toy Co.

Calico Critters. International Playthings
Egyptian theme sets. Playmobil
Science kits (various). Scientific Explorer, SmartLab
Puzzles (1,000 piece and up). Various manufacturers
Yamslam. Blue Orange Games
Peg puzzles and craft kits (various). Melissa & Doug
Arts & craft kits (various). Alex
'How to Draw' books. Dover Publications
Bananagrams. Bananagrams
My Mystery UFO. William Mark

As of mid-December, holiday sales at Frankenmuth Toy Co. in Frankenmuth, Mich., were "great," according to owner Judy Bergelin. "We can't complain at all," she told Playthings, "but we have no idea why. We can't figure it out!"

Bergelin had found that at that point in the holiday season, shoppers at her 5-year-old specialty toy store that focuses on puzzles, children's books and games were looking for more "practical" products. "[Customers] are saying they want the basics—things without the glitz and glitter," she said.

In addition to product selection, local promotions were also helping business at Frankenmuth Toy Co. Among them were a chamber of commerce sponsored coupon book sent to customers within a 30 mile radius that offered coupons worth $5 off $25 worth of purchases at participating local retailers; and a store location close to several town activities and festivals, such as December's outdoor Christmas mart, which was held, literally, next door to Bergelin's store.

Okemos, Mich.

Brilliant Sky Toys & Books

Doinkit Darts. Marky Sparky
CAMP Board Game. Education Outdoors
Lego Mindstorms 2.0. Lego
Magna-Tiles. Valtech!
Fortamajig Connectables. The Happy Kid Co.
Bilibo. Kid O
Twilight Turtle. Cloud B
Tomy Wind-Ups. California Creations
Egyptian Pyramid. Playmobil
Music Maker. European Expressions

"We feel very good for where we're at in the season," Brilliant Sky Toys & Books founder and CEO Brent Taylor told Playthings in the middle of last month's holiday rush. The cause for those good feelings? Business is up, Taylor said, despite a busy year that, in addition to the challenges all retailers have faced in the teeth of a severe economic recession, saw the flagship location of Brilliant Sky's growing specialty toy store franchising business move to a new location this past summer, without significant disruption. In fact, Taylor said, since the move the store's seen its average ticket rise to "the highest it's ever been."

The new location offered multiple opportunities for improvement, including nearly 1,000 square feet more sales floor and lower rent. In addition, the new space is big enough to house Brilliant Sky's franchise operation under the same roof, including an on-site franchisee training area and 5,000 feet of warehouse space that will help the retailer "resurrect" its online business this spring.

Amazon.com Top Sellers

Scrabble Slam! Card Game. Hasbro
Bananagrams. Bananagrams
Qwirkle Board Game. MindWare
Bop It! Hasbro
Crayola Glow Dome. Crayola
Ucreate Music. Mattel
Bakugan 7-in-1 Maxus Dragonoid. Spin Master
Crayola Crayon Maker. Crayola
Lego City Advent Calendar. Lego
Nerf N-Strike Raider Rapid Fire CS-35 (Blue). Hasbro
Connect 4×4. Hasbro
Lego Ultimate Building Set (405 Pieces). Lego
Bakugan Booster Pack. Spin Master
Mind Blowing Science. Scientific Explorer
Barbie Pink 3-Story Dream Townhouse. Mattel
Brilliant Basics Baby's First Blocks. Fisher-Price
Zhu Zhu/Go Go Pets Hamster Funhouse. Cepia
Hyper Dash (Frustration-Free Pkg). Wild Planet
Easy Bake Oven & Snack Center. Hasbro
Quiddler. SET Enterprises
Playskool Chuck My Talking Truck. Hasbro
2009 Lazertag System 2PK. Hasbro
Glow Station. Crayola
IlluStory Make Your Own Story Kit. Creations By You
Scene It? Twilight Deluxe Edition. Scene It

Source: Amazon.com top sellers for Nov. 7 to Dec. 7, 2009

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