By Maridith Yahl
NKyTribune reporter
Bright, colorful and cheerful.
Those are the first three words that come to mind when describing Stoney’s Village Toy Shoppe and owner Sandi Stonebraker.
Sandi’s toy shop is a “batteries not required” toy shop. No electronics. Imagination required. Filled with toys to inspire children’s creativity and imagination, children will have fun and learn playing with toys.
Sandi first started her business at 323 W 6th Street in Covington’s MainStrasse Village as a framing shop. Today, Stoney’s Village Toy Shoppe is a staple of the community. Toys here change seasonally, so there is always something new and exciting to find.
This a magical place. A place of awe and wonder.
How did Sandi make the transition from framing to toys? Over eleven years ago Sandi was walking down a country road with her 8-year-old granddaughter. Her granddaughter pointed to the woods and asked if that was where the princess lived? Sandi realized girls have images in their minds of what princesses are.
“I need to write a book about what a princess really is, it’s really what you are inside, you can wear all sorts of different clothes, and you don’t necessarily dress up in gowns,” thought Sandi. That’s when she wrote her first children’s book, On Being a Real Princess, Secrets of the Happy Heart Princess, which is for sale in her shop for $12. The book features 16 princesses from around the world, teaching children about a variety of cultures, offering affirmations and motivation. Each princess is pretty and smart in her own way. There are places to journal about values, self-esteem, and decision making.
Sandi uses this book while volunteering in schools in the area.
Writing this book brought Sandi into the world of toys for her grandchildren, who are her inspiration, in 2011. She wanted to bring learning-through-play to them with toys that will always be viable, instead of toys which are tossed to the side when batteries die. She carefully considers what the children can learn and how they can develop when stocking toys in her store. Educational, imagination, creativity, learning focus and attention, and developing motor skills are just some of the ways these toys are impacting the children who play with them.
Sandi Stonebraker
Kinetic quicksand is popular. The creativity and imagination for this toy meet no limits. The kids can make things on their own or use molds, creating all kinds of worlds. Sandi is always amazed how long this holds their attention, another skill they’re developing.
Another popular toy found at Stoney’s is the Goldie Bloxs sets. It was created by two women engineers who wanted girls to understand engineering concepts. Each set has a book and different lesson on math and other engineering concepts. Not surprisingly, this has been a favorite.
Stoney’s has toys for any age, birth on up: Baby burp cloths made by a Kentucky woman which are shaped to fit around your neck, baby baths shaped like a flower, and stuffed animals filled with lavender and flax seed, warmed in a microwave to soothe babies. Young children can have a tea party, play cleaning house, make music with bongos, or put on a puppet show. Older kids can delve into engineering, decorate their lockers, or find an animal care kit.
Toys here will bring nostalgic thoughts, walking you down memory lane. Remember the viewfinders? Yes, those are still around and available here.
Raggedy Ann and Andy, who are 100 years old this year, are also here waiting for a home.
Who could forget about Curious George? Curious George wants to pique your child’s curiosity and imagination with toys.
An attention-getter for sure are the colorful ukuleles. For ages four and up, these instruments are very bright, colorful, and sized smaller for kids. Music has been found in primary age children to help them communicate, collaborate, and develop creativity. It also supports learning literacy, numeracy, and expressing emotions. Playing the ukuleles will also develop motor skills and help children learn to focus.
The ukuleles are important to Sandi as she volunteers teaching them to 4th-grade girls in the Covington Independent School District.
Sandi is also an artist. She illustrated her own book and has her watercolor paintings and greeting cards for sale in her shop. Bringing out the fun in adults is also in her line of focus. She has begun to bring in board games and puzzles for adults and plans to continue to grow this part of her store.
Sandi has really enjoyed having the toy store. She has fun and loves her customers.
“I’ve gotten to know a lot of the children and when they run in with their arms open to hug me, I’m like, oh my heart. So that’s what’s there to love this business.”
During this holiday season, Sandi collected gently used toys for Children, Inc. in ongoing efforts to support the community. Customers who donated received a 10% discount on their purchase.
Additionally, Stoney’s Village Toy Shoppe has special events and hosts parties in her backyard. During the warmer months, you can book a birthday party or enjoy a craft class. Plans are in the works to do more of this in the future, ideas are in development so be on the watch for what is to come this summer.
The store was voted by NKY Magazine Best Toy Store in 2014 and 2015.
You can watch for these events, find store hours and information on the Stoney’s Village Toy Shoppe website or Facebook page.
