Thursday, June 26, 2008

New Toy Store May Fill Void For Shoppers

Willem Gokemeijer, of Mt. Lebanon, celebrated turning 8 last month by inviting friends for a birthday party, which, like most kids' parties, included cake and games. But his parents, Pamela and Nils, noticed something unusual: Willem had no wrapped gifts to tear open; all of his presents were gift cards.

One of the reasons Willem received so many gift cards may be the dearth of toy stores in the South Hills. Recent years have seen the closing of a Toys R Us in Bethel Park, which is now Babies R Us, and, more recently, the closing of a specialty toy store, Gram and Gramps, in Upper St. Clair.

Amy and David Bahm, of Mt. Lebanon, are banking on the demand for a retail toy store here with the opening of Learning Express in the Galleria in Mt. Lebanon. The store is one of 130 independently owned Learning Express stores across the country. Learning Express also has a franchise in Cranberry.

Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/08178/892571-55.stm

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