The Life in Business: Village Toy Shop
Janet Louise, owner of Village Toy Shop, comes from a family of entrepreneurs. Her grandparents ran retail, tailoring and lodging enterprises and her parents owned an Italian restaurant, Giovanni’s Pizza, in Fullerton, CA. Growing up with these role models inspired her desire to be self-employed.
“Part of the reason I moved to East Hawai‘i in 2001,” Janet says, “is because I thought this would be a good place to manifest my vision, a place where ‘mom-and-pop’ businesses still successfully exist. Shortly after moving here I found myself at Wal-Mart looking for a birthday gift for a friend’s grand-daughter and I wondered ‘Where else can one buy toys in the Hilo area?’ With a little research I learned that there was a great need for quality, educational toys. My journey into the magical world of the specialty toy business had begun.”
The Village Toy Shop opened in 2004 in the Kea’au Village Market and two years later moved into downtown Hilo .
“We like being downtown, situated between two restaurants with good traffic, ample parking, nice restrooms, a great landlord and reasonable rent,” she says.
Janet analyzed the market and determined how to make Village Toy Shop a unique, ‘destination shopping experience,’ setting it apart from “Big-Box” stores.
“Small retailers cannot compete with national chains on price. We can offer a variety of toys not found elsewhere in town, along with a fun shopping experience and help in selecting just the right toys,” she says, and is happy to report that the business is growing.
Parents, grandparents, teachers, therapists, aunties and uncles and the young (and young-at-heart) are all part of the Village Toy Shop customer base. It offers unique toys that encourage creativity and allow child-directed play. Shoppers will find the classic toys they remember from childhood and toys that help young children learn basic skills, art, science, music, games, construction and “active play.”
Janet has a background working with families as a child care provider and household manager. “Over the years I learned quite a bit about early childhood development and the value of open-ended, unstructured, creative playtime. It is my objective to develop this business so that it can continue on for generations to come. It’s exciting to know we’re creating childhood memories and contributing to the education and development of our community’s precious young people. I encourage everyone to look at our website for more information.”
Village Toy Shop
235 Waianuenue Ave., downtown Hilo
808-969-7888
Villagetoyshophilo@gmail.com
www.villagetoyshophilo.com
