BC Erasers

Ice Cream and Frogs and Hamsters! Oh my! 

We just received a new shipment of BC Erasers, the fun little erasers (that I'm not sure anyone actually erases with).  Children of all ages (and several adults) like to collect & trade these fun little fellows.  They're only $1.00 each, so stop by and start your own collection!

Let's sing and dance!

We just received this new display from Tune A Fish Recordings.

It is so much fun! You can push a button on the play system and 

browse through all the songs on a CD.  I think my favorite one is

Dan Zanes and Friends', "Catch That Train".  Come by and 

hear some new songs!  

We now sell individual 

wooden blocks! 

BEKA blocks- 

Made in 

St. Paul, MN

from solid maple.

Gentle on the planet. 

Gentle on the children.

Sales Reps...our 'behind the scenes' heroes!

This is me & Don Carswell, one of my favorite reps.  He has been selling toys to us, and lots of other stores and toy catalog groups, for over 12 years! (Are we really that old, Don?).  Three to four times a year, Don drives down from Richmond, where he lives with his wife and 2 beautiful daughters, and spends most of the day with us.  

He represents 24 different toy companies, so we have a lot of catalogs to look through. Believe it or not, it is exhausting!  I think it is easier, sometimes, to unload boxes and be on my feet all day.  Sitting, looking at catalogs and trying to decide which toys to buy (spending all that money) is hard work, but I LOVE it.  It is so much fun trying to find the perfect toys that the children will play with for a long, long time.  I do worry about picking things kids won't like, or choosing something that won't sell, and then we're stuck with it. (No sending it back to the company!)  It's a challenge buying just the right playthings that our customers will love, that also are safe, fun and educational.  

There are many, many choices to make, and all of our wonderful sales representatives help so much.  They can give us advice about what they have seen other stores order, and let us know when something is not selling well.  They inform us about toy safety, company specials, shipping issues and new toys that we MUST have.  So, the next time you come in and see me sitting at the front table with someone, it's probably a rep.- just have a seat and help me pick out a few things! 

I want to say 'Thanks, Don' and thank you to all my other fantastic sales reps., it would be much harder without you!!

Hello from southwest Virginia!

It is so beautiful this morning, I wanted to stay at home and play in my yard.  But, I remembered I had one of our wonderful sales reps. coming today and the thoughts of working in the yard were left behind.  I was excited to come and play with Don instead!  He should have some new toys to show us, and we'll be planning a lot of the Christmas ordering.  I know! It seems too early (and hot) to think about the holidays, but, in retail we have to start working on our 'Hot Toy' list now.

I also thought I would start sharing some pictures of our staff with you.  Our 'Toy Experts' are so much fun!  I hope you'll come in and meet them soon!! 

This is Glisyn.  She is our resident entertainer. She had visions of moving to NYC and being famous, but instead she's wearing a hula skirt and putting on performances for our customers daily!  She started out running our property management office, then was quickly drawn in to the toys.  She still rents our apartments to many of the VT Hokies, but she can't resist trying out all the new games and dress up clothes!

The Winners. The Losers. and The Ruckus Man.

Happy July! I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July, loaded with family, friends, fun and fireworks! 

I wanted to tell you about a wonderful trip we just returned from.

We traveled to the ASTRA (American Specialty Toy Retailers Association) Conference several weeks ago, at Foxwoods, CT.  Besides attending informative, educational classes, visiting with representatives of the great companies we carry, and meeting lots of other toy store owners, we had the privilege of  spending time with Tom and Marlene England.  (pictured on the right, above, that's Keith and I on the left). Tom and Marlene own Dancing Bear Toys & Gifts in Fredrick, MD.  We met them last year at the same convention, and hit it off right away.  

Before we went our separate ways last year, we had come up with a friendly competition.  One of our favorite games, in both of our stores, is 'Ruckus', a great card game that's easy and fun to play.  Dan Levy (pictured in the center, above) is the creator, and he had just come out with a new card game, called 'Pile It'.  We decided we would see who could sell more of his new game during the holiday season of 2007.  

Well, before I tell you the results, I should say tell you something else.  Imaginations, in Blacksburg, has sold more of the 'Ruckus' game than any other store in the world.  Over 3,000!  So, not to brag too much, but, we won...by a few boxes (okay a few cases!).  Tom and Marlene are great sports, and have vowed to pay their debt; which is a visit to Blacksburg, BEARing the gift of Maryland crabs.  Of course, we just want them to come see us, so crabs or not, we can't wait for your trip to southwest VA, England family!!  Check out their wonderful store if you're passing through Fredrick sometime.   

If you haven't played 'Ruckus' or 'Pile It' before, come on in.  We'd love to teach you how!

Keep checking here, because I'll post more details about the awesome ASTRA conference soon!  

Sidewalk Sale This Weekend!

It's that time of year again- our annual Summer Sidewalk Sale!  Starting tomorrow, Friday, July 11th & Saturday, July 12th.  10am-6pm both days.  There will be tables outside and inside, full of lots of discounts!  25-70% off!!  PLUS, Annie Kay's (our favorite health food store, located next door), will have $1, $2, and $3 shopping carts full of great deals.  Don't miss it!!

P.S- if you're going to be in Roanoke, Friday or Saturday, visit Imagination Station at 2126 Colonial Avenue.  We have set up the 'Bargain Basement', with lots of discounted toys!

It's time to get some good deals, and go ahead...start thinking about Christmas shopping this weekend!