We
are excited to feature Extravagant Realty’s “Meet our Neighbor” series. Each
month, we spotlight one of our fabulous North Shore business neighbors. This
month, we kid around with Justin’s Toys.
Justin’s Toys in Glen Cove is a perfect
example of do what you love, love what
you do. “There is nothing more gratifying than a child coming in for the
first time, wide-eyed and in awe, ready to play with everything,” says owner
Robert Lee, who opened the store last summer. “And let’s be serious, we’re all
kids at heart, so what’s cooler than playing with toys all day?”
Mayor Suozzi with Rob Owner of Justin's Toys
Although not yet a parent, Lee imagined his
store to be stocked with toys that he’d want his own kids to play with someday.
“I understand how important play time is, and wanted to impact the community in
a positive way by offering games and toys that are both fun and educational.”
The biggest sellers? “Classic toys have come
back and, surprisingly, Melissa and Doug is our most popular brand,” says Lee.
The Glen Cove resident is no stranger to the
business world, or to the local Glen Cove business community. “I was born into
an entrepreneur household,” says Lee. “My family owns Glenco Liquors, located
in the Glen Cove Stop & Shop Center. When KB Toys went out of business five
years ago, my father suggested I open a toy store.” At the time, Lee was a
Stony Brook University graduate and working as an actuary in corporate America.
“I jumped when the timing was right and I am so happy I made that decision.”
One of the perks of owning a toy store is attending
the annual Toy Fair in NYC, which takes place in February. “It is the most
outrageous event anyone could ever have the opportunity to experience,” says Lee.
On the flip side, there are challenges to the
business. “We do not purchase many of our toys at the same price as department
stores,” Lee explains. “We carry many of these items as a convenience, but it
is impossible to offer them at the same price as franchises.” Of course, that’s
especially hard for children to understand. “There was a kid who chose one of
the biggest Lego sets we have and asked us if he could change the price because
his mom said that it wasn't in the budget. We asked how much we should change
it to and the boy replied ‘one dollar.’ Out of the mouths of babes.”
Justin’s Toys may be a local Glen Cove toy
store, but it has a far reach. “We have a popular online website which we launched
this past holiday season,” explains Lee. “Most of our website sales are
specialty items that are either hard to find or discontinued and, believe it or
not, Australia is one of our biggest purchasers for 1Direction Dolls! In the future, we hope that sales online will
be as frequent as sales in our storefront. And, there may be a time where we
evolve into becoming toy distributors.”
In the meantime, the Glen Cove store will
evolve into hosting kid’s parties. “We had a tie-dye party and it was such a
success,” says Lee. “We will certainly
have more crafty events in the near future and we will be kicking off our first
birthday party soon. We are going all out with glitter tattoos, arts and
crafts, pizza, dancing and Pin the Tail on Eeyore.”
The best kept secret about Justin’s Toys? “We
have free gift wrapping for birthdays.”
It’s always great to shop locally, says Lee.
“Local helps local. When we renovated the front of our store we bought a runner
from Glen Floors in Glen Cove, and that weekend a handful of new customers came
in saying they’d heard about us through that store.” Lee is also appreciative
of the savvy business help he’s received. “It’s so great working with Deborah Orgel-Gordon,
the owner of Gem Craft Boutique in Glen Head. She’s a wealth of knowledge and
her vast experience with multiple businesses is unmatched.”
Justin’s Toys is located at 114 Forest
Avenue, Glen Cove; 516-801-3931, www.justinstoys.com.
