Why Small Businesses Matter Reimagined
Small businesses matter - now more than ever. They are answering the call with innovation and determination like never before.
We hope you join us in supporting them by sharing their story far and wide and shopping local! We are thankful to Fairfield County Bank for their continued support and making this series possible.
Step inside The Toy Room
Three questions with Kimberly Ramsey, owner of The Toy Room
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What do you want the community to know? Are there ways for the community to help you and other local businesses to prosper?
We were lucky to be able to be "open" for phone orders with curbside pick-up during the quarantine. I am eternally grateful to everyone who supported us during that time. Thanks to people purchasing our "Mystery Bags" and Easter gifts (from late March to mid-April), our sales stayed strong and gave us a bit of a cushion for a few months. Now we are expecting to see a decline in our business since people still are not celebrating birthdays with parties. Buying gifts for birthday parties make up about 50% of our business during this time of the year. I think we'll be able to weather this storm but we need support. I'd love for people to consider us if they need a gift/toy for a child or a puzzle/game for themselves and help us out as much as they can in the months ahead by buying local. All us small, mom & pop stores have SO much to offer within the community. I treat my customers like family, cherish the chats, and love watching the kids grow. We're all passionate about what we do and want to continue to be able to support the community. Our pockets may not be as deep as "big box" stores are but our hearts are much, much bigger! Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram and share with all your friends!
We are still getting new merchandise, in limited amounts. Even though we are open for people to come in and shop we are still offering our curbside service and will continue to do so. One good thing that came from the pandemic is that we finally got an online shop up and running. It doesn't have all our products, but there's a good selection to choose from. You can check it out here. Customers can choose from in-store pick-up or a flat rate shipping option.
Are there certain individuals or organizations that supported you and your business through this trying time?
The community is always supportive and I couldn't do this without them! Skipper & Shakira - the Social-Distancing Sharks, were a great support too! People wanted to purchase things for them to hand out during their "shark attacks" and donated to me so I could give them toys from the store. Of course, my husband, Chris, who "worked from home" from the back of my store so I'd have company (and lunch!). People waving as they walked by the store while I was stuck inside brightened my day and the decision to "self-isolate" together with Byrd's Books (since we have a shared interior door) kept a sense of normalcy to the everyday craziness out there.
The Toy Room is located at 180 Greenwood Ave. in Bethel. Visit The Toy Room online here.
HamletHub thanks Fairfield County Bank for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!