BETHEL – There was a time, not too long ago, when children could lose themselves in the aisles of a community’s toy store. Yes, also every area had at lease one to call their very own. But with the arrival of the big box department stores, the little shop that sold only toys was threatened with extinction.
Kimberly Ramsey reminisced about those days gone by. The Bethel native “missed having a toy shop in town.” So when a storefront became available ‘downtown’ a little more than two years ago, she did not let the opportunity pass her by.
The store wasn’t more than a large room, hence its name ‘The Toy Room.’ “And it didn’t directly front Greenwood Avenue (Route 302), but I knew there was a need for a quality toy shop that carried a line of stimulating, creative toys that were kid-friendly.”
By kid-friendly, Kimberly means safe. “All of the toys I buy for The Toy Room are tested to be non-toxic.” She also tries to buy toys that are made in the United States or Europe. The shelves are crammed with toys and games “I’m really proud of our games” which are age-specific from infant to adult. “Having played the majority of the games in here, I can say with some authority that there’s a game to suit everyone.” Two new games high on her list are ‘Consensus (age 12 to Adult) and 36 Cube – game one person can play.
Anyone who is nostalgic for the good old days will discover a trove of retro toys. Slinkies, jigsaw puzzles (classic and modern themes), potholder kits, building blocks, and even a stick horse that a child can gallop off into the sunset on can be found somewhere on the shelves or in the aisles.
And of course, everything new on the market is also among the displays. New this year is ‘Brain Noodle (it resembles a pipe-cleaner on steroids) that can be twisted into anything a kid can imagine. It’s a lot cleaner and environmentally friendly than clay or balloons. “Older kids have as much fun playing with them as the young kids,” Kimberly added. Kids of all ages also love ‘Imaginetics,’ a creative toy that challenges the child to create imaginative scenes with magnets; and the eco-friendly bracelet kit, ‘Shainsware,’ where the child creates a personalized message on the bracelet.
And when the snow begins to fall, in addition to colorful sleds and saucers, there’s the Snoballer (which makes the perfect snow ball) and the Snow Block Maker (perfect for building igloos in the winter and sand castles in the summer).
Kimberly is also very proud of the toys she buys for special needs kids. “I have a friend involved in Special Education and with her assistance I try to fill that niche in the area.”
Christmas and Hanukkah are the busiest time of the year for The Toy Room. However, “birthdays are the bread and butter that keeps the shop thriving throughout the year.” And coming the first week of the new year, The Toy Room will be expanding and moving to a new, larger ‘room’ with a Greenwood Avenue storefront. “I can’t wait to move in,” said the exuberant toy keeper. And by the looks of the displays taking up every square inch of floor, walls and countertops – the move couldn’t come too soon.
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