Arts, Dining & Entertainment

Toy stores “go local” with annual neighborhood day of play

Saturday, Nov. 14 — RUTLAND — For families everywhere, this Nov. 14 is a designated Day of Play. Frogs and Lily Pads in Downtown Rutland will participate in Neighborhood Toy Store Day, an annual celebration in which independent toy shops kick off the holiday season with special events to introduce consumers to the benefits of shopping local. Frogs and Lily Pads will feature a variety of fun and family-friendly demo games, raffles and give-aways. You can even fill out holiday and birthday wish lists. A portion of the days sales will be donated to Wonderfeet Children’s Museum.

“Local toy stores offer a long list of benefits to consumers, from selections designed to serve specific communities to customer service that makes the shopping experience a pleasant one,” said Kimberly Mosley, president of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting local toy shopping and creative open-ended playtime for children. Shopping locally supports the community by creating jobs and preserving neighborhoods. Compared to chain stores, independent local businesses put a significantly larger share of revenue back into the local economy in the form of taxes, salaries and more. They also support environmental sustainability, by helping to maintain vibrant, walkable town centers, essential to reducing sprawl, automobile use, habitat loss, and air and water pollution.

“Local toy stores focus on providing unique selections and the kind of quality not always found at national chains,” Mosley added. “Many of the toys you see at independently owned toy stores are not advertised on television and are mostly made by small manufacturers. National Toy Store Day is a great opportunity for families to check out some great gift-giving ideas for the holidays.”

Karen McLaughlin, owner of Frogs and Lily Pads, explained, “Being a member of ASTRA helps us to locate quality toys that deliver exceptional value and expand a child’s imagination and creativity.”

Neighborhood Toy Store Day highlights the importance of shopping at your local independent toy store, where experienced staff and top quality toys are the norm.

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