Share this on

What's Selling: Games, Science, Art

Meredith Schwartz -- Gifts and Dec, 3/12/2011 6:51:50 AM

APPLETON, WI
LEARNING SHOP
This educational toy specialty retailer has six locations, all in its home state. Sue Hedtke shares some top sellers for the new year.

Spot It! by Blue Orange

Lego mini figures

The Frog Aquarium by Wild Creations

Snap Circuits by Elenco

Magformers by Rainbow Products

"We are going to Toy Fair; we'll be looking for new, fresh toys in all categories," says Hedtke, especially games, science, arts and crafts and dolls.

Spot It! contains four mini party games. $11.99. Blue Orange. 415.252.0372. www.blueorangegames.com
CIRCLE #859

RALEIGH, NC
PB&J FUN FACTORY
The store, which opened last August, is owned by Brandon Markman and Paula and Jonathan Culverhouse. In addition to selling toys and games, it rents inflatables and sells pool tables and equipment, pinball arcade machines, massage chairs and playground equipment. Top selling products include:

Melissa and Doug shopping carts

Melissa and Doug ice cream scoop set

Melissa and Doug puzzles

Jumbo cardboard block set by Melissa and Doug Hundred Wood Block Set by Melissa and Doug

Krista Forrest, who shared those bestsellers with us, was supposed to attend Toy Fair, but something came up, so the store will be buying from reps instead. PB&J plans to add in more baby dolls, arts and crafts, dress up and different kinds of games, as well as science. "We just added in our science section and it completely sold out at Christmas. We have to spread out what we have left," says Forrest.

DARIEN, CT
DARIEN TOY BOX
Independent retailer Bill Jensen has hosted events as diverse as a surprise visit from members of the cast of Cirque Du Soleil's Wintuk, touring singer, local author and lifesized costumed character. Among his customers' favorites at this time of year are:

Legos

Mighty World by Faber Castell/Creativity for Kids

Uber Dart by AJ Suppliers

Ravensburger puzzles

Playforever toys

Sticky Mosaics by The Orb Factory

Calico Critters from Intl. Playthings

Jensen does plan to attend this year's Toy Fair, where he will be looking for "the unusual; the unique."

FRIDAY HARBOR, WA
THE TOY BOX
The Toy Box is located on San Juan Island, about 25 miles off the coast of Washington state, near Vancouver, Canada. Legend has it that the town got its name from a sailor who called out "what bay is this?" to a local, who thought he said "day," or that it was named for a Hawaiian sheep farmer, Joe Friday. Owners David and Nancy Hanson moved to the San Juan Islands looking for a more relaxed lifestyle than they'd had in Seattle. Dave shares his best sellers:

Bananagrams

Settlers by Mayfair Games

Legos

Aurora plush including Yoo Hoo and Friends

Perplexus by PlaSmart Inc.

Hanson is not coming to New York's Toy Fair. In the past, he has been going to the Pomona show, which has been relocated to Long Beach, but he plans to attend the ASTRA show in Anaheim instead this year because, he says, "we've heard a lot of good reports."

Share this on

Talkback

We would love your feedback!

Riding into Retail

Feb 25, 2012

Mind Candy Names New Moshi Monsters Licensees

Feb 9, 2012

Direct from Market: Toy Fair

Feb 21, 2011

Science Sells, Naturally

Oct 22, 2010

Focused on Toy Fair

Apr 12, 2012

Also by this author

»MORE

Featured Company

Brandwise Inc.

Brandwise serves a model - not just an industry - by integrating, automating, and optimizing the entire sales channel, from wholesale Suppliers to their Reps and the Retailers they service. In short, our software helps Reps and Suppliers sell more and create... more