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Open for Business: Norman & Jules Toy Shop, 158 Seventh Avenue
Thursday, September 27, 2024 at 10:05AM
A charming new mom-and-pop toy store opened last Sunday in the space that had been home to The Park Florist for the past 40 years, on Seventh Avenue between First and Garfield.
Run by the husband and wife team of Avi Kravitz and Courtney Ebner, Norman and and Jules is unlike other toy store in the area. As opposed to the standard assortment of Legos and Thomas the Tank Engine sets, there's a focus on "handcrafted and imaginative toys, decor, and art that enable children to explore and develop through creativity," according to their press release.
The bulk of the merchandise is made of wood or fabric, handmade by local artisans and companies that use sustainable materials (many of which belong to the Fair Trade Federation). Musical instruments, handmade dolls, small wooden animals and vehicles, and a whimsical assortment of other items, many milti-purpose, definitely seem to spark the imagination more than most of what I've seen at, say, Toys R Us. And very few of the items for sale use packaging.
“It seemed crazy to us that there was so much waste in the toy industry," Kravitz recently told Patch. "Then we found that there are so many entrepreneurial toymakers, artisans and artists that are creating all these handmade toys and are being responsible socially and environmentally.”
Avi and Courtney are on hand to help find that perfect item, and their young daughter Charley and affable Chihuahua can usually be found in the shop as well.
Norman and Jules, 158 Seventh Avenue Brooklyn NY 11215. 347-987-3323.
Open For Business in Storefronts
Reader Comments (10)
What I notice is that for every 1 chain (see subway) we get about 5 or 6 really nice mom and pop shops. This place is special, really unique and quality stuff. People who own it are lovely.
Will they allow kids here? I just hate walking into a local business and seeing so many kids. Go back to Wisconsin! Oh, wait....
In all seriousness, can't wait to check it out. I also can't wait for my kid to still prefer playing with a cardboard box and my left shoe. :)
I hope this business finds its niche in PS. Toys get bought in just a few ways. Either the adult chooses the toy and gives it to the kid or as kids get older they make the trip to the toy store and choose something for themselves or they beg and whine for a toy that is popular, heavily advertised and they get it for Christmas. I have such great memories of GOING to a toy and choosing something and being part of the process. Judging by the pictures the shelves are set high to discourage kids taking things down and actually getting a chance to hold the toy. A store like Little Things is set up to make it easy for kids to touch the merchandise. Yeah, that makes for a messy store and I notice the staff there is constantly putting things back in place and I assume there is some percent of merchandise lost through kids handling it.
Brooklyn Brawler's comment in tongue in cheek but honestly.. this toy store doesn't look so kid friendly to me.
Hi Portie.
Please come visit us. Photos can be deceiving. The shop is completely set to engage and allow children to explore. Much of our inventory is out of the box and ready to be 'tested' right here in the shop, our first shelf is low enough for the smallest of walkers to play, and so on. There is always a piece of toast being made at our play kitchen area and our front window even functions as a play area.
So come on by and say hello...I think that you will be pleasantly surprised.
Avi
Right on, Avi!
Looks nice. We'll be stopping in the next time we need to pick something up for a kid.
I still miss Ebinger's bakery.
Revamp of Romp, the cute toy store on 5th that lasted about 3 years. This one wont last longer as they won't do the volume, ESP for older kids. But looks nice!
I went here last weekend and bought a great gift - it's a beautiful store and I wish them the best of luck. Oh, and it was FULL of kids when I was there and all seemed to be having a good time. I find it hard to imagine a toy store where a kid would feel unwelcome.
An affable chihuahua? I have never met one!