Big doings for LittleBits in Natick and Wellesley
Natick, MA – As big box stores prey on more and more independent businesses, neighborhood establishments may soon be classified as an endangered species, if they haven’t been already.
But some stores have not only survived in this environment, they’ve thrived. A case in point is LittleBits Toys. Founded in Waltham in 2001, the toy store moved to Linden Street in Wellesley in 2003 and to its current location at 304 Washington St. (Rte. 16) in Wellesley Hills in 2007.
The year the store moved to Washington Street its sales skyrocketed 119 percent. The business now averages a more modest 7 percent yearly growth. And at a time when the moribund economy had many businesses closing its doors, LittleBits opened its second store at 21 Main St. (Rte. 27) in Natick Center in July.
Owner Billy Thelander attributes LittleBits’ success to the neighborhood store factor. “It’s the connection between the local shoppers and myself,” says Thelander. “They make suggestions and I listen. I’ve stayed up until midnight tracking toys for people. That’s how I find more interesting things.”
The business is always a family affair as the staff includes the owner’s mother, niece and brother. Thelander, who lives in the Wellesley home where she grew up, recently discussed her business with Daily News staff writer Bob Tremblay.
