How One Toy Store is Taking it to the Next Level
When Norman & Jules popped up in Park Slope in 2012, it was clear from the start that this toy store was a different breed of purveyor. There were no ugly plastic toys or noisy, battery-operated gizmos in sight. Instead the shelves were stocked with lovingly crafted cuddly animals, sweet wooden playhouses, and the most gorgeous kids books we've ever seen. Totally chic (and kid-appropriate) art bedecked the walls, and the vibe of the store felt mellow and happy, not frantic and cluttered. Needless to say, it's become a neighborhood gem, one that now offers online shopping as well, to meet the growing demands of the business.
Owners (and husband-and-wife team) Courtney Ebner and Avi Kravitz have created a community-minded space where both parents and kids love to spend time--and it's about to get even better. This spring the Norman & Jules outdoor play space, which is currently in fund-raising mode, will open in the store's backyard, offering up 800 square feet of fun for romping, partying, and fun events like concerts, story time and much more. The space will serve as a free-range play space for kids of all ages, outfitted with open-ended play components that echo the types of toys that are sold in the store. Undulating hills, an oversize mortar and pestle, gentle percussion instruments and other types of creative play tools will be on hand to encourage imaginative play. "We're inspired by Waldorf-type play, for sure", says Kravitz. When describing a sensory table that will be outfitted with natural elements like carved wooden blocks and natural sticks and twigs, it's clear that this ain't no box toy store we're talking about here. "Parents have been asking us since we opened what we were going to do in the backyard," Ebner says, "so that's been a huge driving force for us in making this happen."
Ebner and Kravitz' expertise in all areas of play will be totally evident in the design of the play space, as it is on every shelf in their shop. Even if you can't make it to Brooklyn to peruse or play, you can still steal some of their favorite tips and tricks for engaging your children and creating paces that inspire free, creative play. Click through the slideshow above to see some of their favorite new products, and learn about some of the concepts they think are integral to encouraging imaginative play.
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