The much-loved children's section of a local store is spreading its wings.
In an Instagram post, Red Barn Mercantile owner Amy Rutherford announced she is opening a to-be-named children's store at 1310 King St. The store should be opening sometime this fall.
Plans for the store hatched about six years ago, when Rutherford was first opening Red Barn Mercantile — around the time the Why Not? shop closed. Rutherford noted that closure was a "profound loss" for Old Town.
"As soon as I heard that it was closing, I asked myself if I should pivot Penny Post to a toy store. Of course, the answer was no – and aren’t we all glad Penny Post is here!? – but we’ve been planning to open a children’s store ever since," according to Rutherford.
The new local toy store will feature art supplies, games, toys, puzzles, books and candy.
"You can expect all the same great things currently found in our kid’s section at Red Barn Mercantile, just a lot more of it," according to Rutherford. "With an emphasis on well-designed, quality toys that allow for children to learn through play, we will give parents a better alternative to Target and the Internet. We will feature art supplies, science experiments, plenty of toys for open-ended play, games, puzzles, lots of books, and even a wall of candy. Yes, that’s right, candy! It will be every kid’s dream store!"
Rutherford is asking for help coming up with a name for the new venture. Vote for a name under consideration and you'll be entered to win a $100 gift card to the new store; if you suggest an entirely new name that gets used, you could win $500 in gift cards.
