02/16/2024
Our lovely store is closing on February 25th. At this time we are looking for someone to take over, but our last day stewarding this shop is coming soon. Thank you to my wonderful team here, you were an absolute dream and you built something special in your community. The impact of the strikes hit many businesses hard in 2023 and along with other challenges, as a young and vulnerable small business, the loss of business just wasn’t something we could sustain. And unlike the pandemic, there was no financial assistance out there to compensate us for the losses. I know we aren’t the only business in Southern California to experience this, and my wish for all of you is to rebuild and come back stronger than ever some day. For our customers: you supported us in a big way whenever you could. You helped us through a transition period after the pandemic. We loved meeting your kids, your grandmas, your friends. My heart is with all of you who lost work, struggled with the industry issues, and are still working to recover. The media seems to have largely moved on while the every day people who felt the impacts are still not working and it will take many years to dig through their debt. Just because the strikes “ended” the economic worries for individuals and families did not reach an instant conclusion. I do feel the valley needs and deserves their own indie toy and book store and hope someone can carry on in this location- there has been a toy store in this complex with the carousel since it opened. Here’s to all of us taking a deep breath in 2024 for all the amazing things I’m sure are to come.
