Toys, toys, toys

by Athole Murray Fleming

While so many children today play on computers and other 'marvels' of technology, it is somewhat reassuring to know that the traditional toyshop can still survive and thrive despite the heavy marketing aimed at parents and youngsters.

One such success story is Carters Toy Shop located in Perth's South Street run by Wendy Edwards. Carters was opened in the late 1980's by Marilyn and John Carter who later moved to live in France in 1993, selling the business to Pauline Mickel. Wendy, the current owner, bought the business from Pauline in 1998 and has built up a reputation for quality, traditional and educational toys for both young and young at heart. She is supported by Helen Chisholm who has worked with Wendy for over 12 years.

While Wendy worked in the shop for Pauline, she always had the desire one day to perhaps run her own establishment, so when the opportunity arose, and Wendy was given ‘first option’ on taking over the business in 1989, she jumped at the chance.

On entering Carters Toy Shop your vision is attacked by a multitude of toys, games, gadgets, hats, costumes, furry things and snakes!!…to name but a miniscule amount.

Every inch of wall and floor is crammed full of the most wonderful things, a real Aladdin’s’ Cave if ever there was one!! In fact, if you have children and have never been here, you have to come and see it for yourself.

Even adults can buy collectables, costumes and tin automata. There are dolls houses, rocking horses, magic tricks, magnets, worms and farm animals. In fact the list is probably nearly endless, like the ingredients in some mad Christmas cake!

For the very young, Wendy makes sure that there is always a big stock of beautiful rag dolls, soft toys and games. Educational games include jigsaws, puzzles and even scientific experiments.

A whole world of toys waits each visitor. When was the last time you saw kids playing marbles? Well, you can buy them at Carters. Do you remember all those old wooden toys that you parents had? Can you remember that last time that you put on a puppet show? You may not, but you can do it all again with your own children thanks to Wendy and her wonderful toyshop.

But all of this takes a lot of time and work to make it happen. However for Wendy, that is the best part. “ I have always loved buying traditional toys and selling them to children of all ages”, said Wendy. “It is also amazing how many adult we get buying toys for their own pleasure. These are usually collectables such as figures, doll house furniture and tin toys which remind them of their own youth’, continued Wendy.

Wendy also has a range of Fair-trade toys, which include wooden mobiles, bookends and soft dolls, and it is her plan to import skipping ropes and many more Fair-trade toys very shortly.

It is good to know that in today’s competitive retail sector, there is still room for compassion, and that, for all of us, is worth supporting.

As I was about to leave the Wendy’s toy shop I spotted a game, Sudoko, currently all the rage, and I knew that my sister in law was really keen on it, so with the first Christmas present of the year planned, off I went down the high street to me next destination, wishing that I was 7 or 8 all over again. Nice thought as I tried to remember where I had parked my car!!