What do you think of when you hear the words “Toy Store”?

Magical

Fun

Warm

Cozy

Dolls

Games

Those are just some of the things that come to mind for me when I hear the words “Toy Store”.  What do you think of?  Odds are it’s something that makes you smile, warms your heart, brings back magical memories.  Doesn’t every child dream of spending hours in a toy store?

What is the impact of small business on a local community?  If you’ve done any school fundraising, you are probably astounded at the amount of support that small businesses give to local schools.  In the first 6 months of 2011, Building Blocks Toy Store (more below) donated over $20,000 in products to charitable events and school benefits.  Do you live in a small town or a distinctive neighborhood?  Isn’t it fun to see a community that has non-franchise, small businesses?  Their prices may not be the lowest.  You may be able to find better bargains online.  As much as I am all about the bargains and deals, there are times when I know I have to also value the contribution that small businesses make to my town and shop local.  I try to strike a balance between online shopping which I dearly love and brick-and-mortar shopping that keeps jobs in my small town.  I love seeing the shops and know that they won’t last if I don’t support them.

I was excited to hear that I can also combine my love of online shopping with my desire to shop local and help small businesses.  An example is the Building Blocks Toy Store in Chicago.  The store I went to is located in a charming Chicago neighborhood that has dozens of unique and creative small businesses.  It’s everything and more that you think of when you hear “toy store”.  Small, crowded, magical.  Fun, comfortable, warm.  Employees that want to know your name and remember how old your child is, what they like to play with.  Perhaps even what toys you’ve already bought for them!  Of course, they aren’t photo-memorizing genius savants, but they are caring and wonderful people who love children.  And there’s free shipping if your order is over $75!  In-store, there is free gift wrapping and are you ready for this? The staff will assemble most items at no charge!  Okay, that’s gold!!

The owner of Building Blocks Toy Store, Katherine McHenry, is celebrating fifteen years of providing toys to children in the Chicago area.   She opened the doors to her first store in the Lakeview neighborhood and expanded her business with the addition of the Wicker Park location in 2008.  Every employee is trained to help customers choose the perfect gift for any child and any occasion.  Children are always welcome to visit the store to see the latest and greatest toys and of course, to play, play, play!

And it’s time to start Christmas shopping!

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Disclosure: All opinions included in this post are my own, unless otherwise stated. In accordance with FTC guidelines, I am disclosing a material connection because I attended the Building Blocks Blogger Party and took home a goody bag.