Oct 20, 2008

Toy shop aims to treat kids royallyBy Gina TeelCanada.com

It’s easy for parents to get carried away inside Castle Toys, where the aisles are brimming with outstanding toys that have earned top marks for being educational as well as fun.

The focus is on quality toys that educate and promote skills development and that are as durable as they are fun, the latter measured not only from a child’s point of view but that of parents, grandparents and caregivers too.

“We’re selling the toys that allow the parents and children to have fun together,” said Joanne Chute, who owns Castle Toys with her husband, Dick Chute.

The Chutes are former educators, so parents can rest assured that the focus on education and skills development receives more than lip service at Castle Toys.

Indeed the store could almost be considered a surrogate classroom, with Joanne and Dick a constant presence, on hand to advise or answer questions parents may have about a given toy, in addition to providing stellar customer service.

“Attention to detail, we’ve always been famous for that,” said Dick.

Castle Toys carries about 5,000 items that cater to babies and toddlers right up to 13-year-olds, with many of the latter products appealing to the kid in every adult.

In the science section, there’s everything from a basic magnifying glass and simple bug collection kit to a Fuel Cell X7 Hydrogen Powered Car Kit from Thames & Kosmos.

Read complete article.