Hot Springs, Arkansas – For the past three decades, children have been flocking to the Toy Chest in Hot Springs to select from a selection of over five hundred one-of-a-kind toys that are not available in large-scale retail establishments.
Imy and Harriet Marcus, Anne Marcus’s parents, relocated from Louisiana to Hot Springs with the intention of engaging in an activity that represented a departure from the norm.
The chamber provided them with a handful of ideas, and one of the items that was on the list was the toy store, according to Marcus. “When they came here, they actually went to the chamber and said what are you missing in hot springs and what do you need,” Marcus said.
It was in the downtown historic district of Hot Springs that the Marcus family decided to location their store. According to Anne, the business was located between two buildings that were boarded up at the time, so it required a lot of imagination to see everything come together.
For the Toy Chest, “Toys powered by imagination” became the mantra that was frequently used.
In the year that followed the opening of the store by her parents, she relocated to the area to assist them, and eventually, she took over the business herself.
Marcus explained that individuals visit the Toy Chest for a variety of reasons, including birthdays, holidays, and celebrations, in order to select gifts for their loved ones. However, those individuals also felt like family to me since I was able to witness them come in and grow up. Some of them even took their own children shopping with them at this point.
Marcus stated, “You may see toys that you played with, that your parents and grandparents played with, and while you might think it might be an old toy, a four-year-old would think it’s brand new.”
The fact that she claims they have never carried video games or other electronic devices is due to the fact that each item must stimulate the imagination and creativity of the child.
Marcus says that she will never forget the happiness that the business offered to people of all ages, including children and the elderly.
“The last week since we announced our retirement, we have been so overwhelmed and touched by the number of people who have come into the store just to say goodbye,” Marcus said. “We are so grateful for the support and the love that has been shown to us”
In spite of the fact that she is sad to be closing the doors, Marcus adds that she is pleased to retire and spend her days with her family.
Although she shares Toy Chest is not for sale, the building and its staff are available for purchase.
All of the items in the store are discounted by twenty percent in honor of retirement sales.
Despite the fact that an official closing date has not been established, February will be the month in which it will be closed for good.
