What's Selling This Spring
Pamela Brill -- Gifts and Dec, 6/20/2011 4:49:24 AM
Calico Critters Pickleweeds Hedgehog Family. International Playthings. www.intplay.com CIRCLE #977
LIVERMORE, CA
COOLEYKATZ TOYS
Next month will mark the fifth anniversary for this Bay Area specialty store. As shoppers gear up for summer, owners Pat and Nita Cooley reveal their best sellers:
Calico Critters Pickleweed Hedgehog Family from International Playthings
Window Art Stained Glass and Paper Airplane books from Klutz
Assorted puppets from Folkmanis
Star Wars and Ninjago Series from Lego
Assorted kites from Premier Kites
Sassy Pet Sacks from Douglas
With the mild weather already in full swing in this Northern California town, Cooley is stocking shelves with a number of the outdoor favorites of late, including squirt guns and bubble blowing sets from Toysmith, Blast Pad air rockets from Marky Sparky Toys and Uberdarts from Uberdarts.
KENSINGTON, MD
FUN & GAMES
Before the heat of the season sets in at this neighborhood toy store in metro Washington, DC, shoppers are stocking up on outdoor toys. Owner Daniel Bushman reveals his customers' current favorites:
Hexbug Spider and Inchworm from Innovation First Labs
Hand-Launch Glider Jet Team from Playmobil
Z-Curve Bow from Zing Toys
Life on Earth Bingo, I Never Forget a Face Memory Game and French Bingo from eeBoo
Make-Your-Own-Cards, Make-Your-Own- Puppets from Made by Hands
Assorted Quick Sticker Kits from Peaceable Kingdom Press
Because summer is typically quiet in this neck of the woods, Bushman relies on customer favorites like games from eeBoo and take-along craft and sticker kits. He notes the aforementioned line from Peaceable Kingdom Press as a great buy at $5 a pop.
WARWICK, RI
LEARN ALL ABOUT IT TOYS
Nestled in a suburban Rhode Island shopping center, this mom-and-pop store prides itself on knowing many of its customers by name. Co-owner Jeff Dronzek shares his clientele's favorite product picks:
Elite Fleet Backyard Flyer from Kid Galaxy
Fashion Headbands from Creativity for Kids
Spot It! from Blue Orange Games
Sunny Patch Bella Butterfly Hopscotch from Melissa & Doug
Working Trucks from Magna-Tiles
PathWords from ThinkFun
As the calendar turns to summer, this shop's calendar of in-store events and activities really heats up. "We regularly hold enrichment programs and expand to a wider range of options in the summer since kids of all ages are available throughout the day," explains Dronzek. To further boost business, he plans to expand the store's annual summer clearance event. His store also holds a music event in July and hosts children's book author visits throughout summer.
KELLOGG, MN
LARK TOYS
With over 20,000 square feet of space, this specialty toy store is more than a toy store; it boasts a wide selection of gift merchandise as well as toys and games. Currently on its best sellers list are:
Lego Minifigures Series 4 from Lego
Assorted vehicles and figures from Mighty World Toys
Hidden Picture puzzles from Ceaco
Handbags and purses from Baggallini
Assorted glass figurines from Tynies
Poo-Pourri spray from Poo-Pourri
To pique the interest of families visiting her destination store this summer, coowner Miranda Gray-Burlingame and husband Scott will be offering a variety of reading programs and concerts featuring local family bands. "My mom always wanted a llama, so we have three of them in our courtyard for people to come and see," she adds of the store's unusual and popular attraction. To further enhance her customers' shopping experience, patrons can relax and play a game of miniature golf or even take a ride on the store's own handcarved carousel.
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