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By George Rowand
Times-Democrat Staff Writer
Elna McMann has “always been a kid at heart.” That’s why she opened g. whillikers toys and books in the Oak Spring shopping center in Warrenton, a place where parents can purchase “developmental” toys for their children.
“We don’t stock toys that you see advertised on TV,” McMann said.
What McMann’s store does offer is a combination of old favorites and cutting edge new toys. The common denominator is that the toys are not mere amusements.
“We offer exciting, unique toys that are good for kids,” McMann said. “They encourage kids to think and use that old brain box.”
Growing up
McMann’s store has been open 11 years and is in its third location.
“A lot of people told me that it wouldn’t work here ... that this concept wouldn’t be successful. I felt it could go.”
It has gone from 1,500 square feet of space initially to 4,100 today.
In addition, g.whillikers now offers a mail order catalog that McMann has sent out to 7,000 patrons. Yet she cannot see herself depending on mail order sales to carry her business.
“I don’t want to be a big mail order house,” she said. “I like to know our customers personally.”
An Internet page might be in her future, but if it is, it will be a place where kids can do something, not simply show what’s for sale in the store.
Something different
g. whillikers has always carried
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