Izilla Toys: Serving Up Play as Well as Toys
A toy store like Izilla Toys can be a mecca, full of wonders, for adults as well as children. Who doesn't remember hovering in the aisles, debating how to best spend one's allowance in order to extract the most bang for one's buck? Izilla Toys lives up to the experience many of us remember, while indoctrinating a new generation in what to expect from a truly excellent toy store.
Two locations serve up twice as much fun by offering toys in both Capitol Hill on 12th Avenue and Wallingford on North 45th Street. All ages are served by the stores' shelves, whether with simple toys suitable for chewing and stimulating the senses of infants, up through the age levels to more complex puzzles, games, and kits that might be best shared with an adult.
The stores are aimed squarely at kids. On Allowance Day children receive a special 15% discount at both stores, and the store's design allows plenty of access for small people wanting to investigate the wealth of displays. Toys tend to focus on locally made and specialty brands rather than the usual range afforded by supermarkets or department stores. Plenty of sporting equipment is available, from Complete skateboards to soft saber toys Mashoonga, while indoor activities including science kits and models are abundant in the store as well.
Izilla's website features a monthly calendar of special events that vary according to location. The Wallingford store offers a Family Picnic, a bring-your-own-basket event that includes a chance for face painting and balloon twisting. The Capitol Hill location lacks picnics, but does feature playspace that's available every day, along with coffee and pastries for patient parents.
Both stores feature game nights, music time, and story time. Music times allow children a chance to hear as well as participate in music-making and singing with local musicians. Story times, which are suitable for toddler through younger elementary school children, feature classic as well as newer stories and provide snacks and juice for the participants.
HelloSeattle Tip: Sign children up for Izilla's Birthday Club as well as for the store's electronic newsletter to get discount coupons on toy purchases.
Posted on May 15, 2011 by Cat Rambo
