Anderson’s Toyshop in July will merge back into Anderson’s Bookshop, located two doors down in downtown Naperville.
“Since we did our big remodel of the book store itself, everything is recarpeted and we realized we have a nice room here and we’re going to move the toys back,” said Becky Anderson, owner of both stores.
The renovation for the bookshop at 123 W. Jefferson Ave. was completed earlier this year and included new carpeting, painting and fixtures.
“We decided we are moving our toys back because we want the toys and the books to be together for parents. We didn’t need to have a separate space for toys,” Anderson said. “Having the books away from the toys was an OK decision for a while but we think this will make our customers a lot more happy.”
The colorful purple-and-yellow toy store opened at 111 W. Jefferson Ave. in 2016. Before then, it was a gift shop called Two Doors East that Anderson’s also owned.
At the time of its opening, Anderson’s Toyshop was considered the only toy store of its kind in downtown Naperville, filling a need in the area’s retail landscape, according to a Naperville Sun article from 2016. More stores have filled that gap since then, including the toy and game store Treasures, which opened on Washington Street a few years ago.
Gotskind’s Children’s Shoes and Clothing used to be located in between Anderson’s Bookshop and Toyshop, providing parents with a row of businesses aimed at children. That store moved out of downtown Naperville last year.
“If you wanted to go shop for toys, you had to walk down past one business to the next business. It was hard because we didn’t have the space in-between. It was kind of inconvenient,” Anderson said. “It’s just so much easier. It’ll make our customers happier, kids happier.”
Downtown Naperville Alliance Executive Director Katie Wood said that she did not know what business would be taking over the space at 111 W. Jefferson Ave., but there is “active interest” in the storefront.
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“We’re pleased for (Anderson’s), and it seems like a smart move since the two product categories complement each other so well,” Wood said.
There will be a sale at the toy store before it vacates the storefront, Anderson said. When the sale will start has yet to be determined, but it will be soon, she said.