Reaching the inner child

Every day, journalists from all forms of the media are always searching for things of interest that may potentially lead to a good story. We're taught to look at our surroundings and look even more closely for the unusual. Without having to look closely, I can tell you for a fact that in terms of my current surroundings – being the living room of my apartment – I can tell you that right away, I spotted five Nerf darts strewn across the top of my coffee table. With that observation fresh in mind, I could come up with an unusual concept for a story about, say, college students fighting with Nerf guns on campus, and the various types of games involved. But I digress.

Whenever driving along William Flynn Highway/Route 8 between Slippery Rock and Butler, I always pass a building that is designed much like a spaceship. This building alongside the road is the home to Playthings Etc., a family-owned and family-operated toy store – that much I already knew. But finally, curiosity got the best of me. I parked my car in the small parking lot out front, and made my way inside . . .

Upon setting foot inside, the atmosphere of Playthings Etc. blew me away. It was as if I stepped on board to a spaceship – a kind of spaceship that happened to be fitted with aisle after aisle of toys instead of computers and equipment, and occupied by scurrying, giggling children instead of crew members.

Playthings Etc. owner Nadine Shingleton said the store's inventory is meant to appeal to people of all ages. The inventory of the store includes items such as building blocks, collectibles, crafts and equipment for recreational sports.

According to Shingleton, advertising is done through the media from time to time, but their most successful form of advertising has been word of mouth.

It's not hard to see why, either. Between the store's whimsical atmosphere, their friendly and accommodating staff, and their wide selection, I entered and left the store with a smile on my face, and feeling like I was a kid again. Oh, and I left with a set of building blocks.

Playthings Etc. is open Mondays through Saturdays except holidays from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.