(WSB photo: Ann Walker and Elisabeth Dahl)
As of Thursday, West Seattle’s toy store will have a new owner. Longtime Curious Kidstuff proprietor Ann Walker wanted to share this news as she gets ready to say goodbye:
Ann would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to the many parents, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and children who have shopped and played at Curious Kidstuff during the 21 years in business.
Ann is super excited to introduce you to the new owner, Elisabeth Dahl. Elisabeth owns a specialty toy store on Bainbridge Island called Calico Toy Shoppe. Elisabeth has been in business many years. She is an excellent toy and book buyer and will have a store full of creative and fun merchandise.
Ann hopes all the children who have visited the shop during the 21 years have a special place in their hearts and memories of a place they used to visit that felt safe, fun, and full of love.
Ann has also placed her Vashon home on the market and will start a new chapter in Yakima, Washington.
Ann hopes that Curious Kidstuff can see another two generations pass through the doors and that people will continue to see the value in supporting small business everywhere.
We talked with Ann and Elisabeth at the shop (4740 California SW) on Monday. Elisabeth says the name will stay the same and no changes are planned so far – she wants to “get in and see what the community wants.” She will also continue to operate her Bainbridge shop, which she says started with 1,000 square feet a dozen years ago and has more than quadrupled in size. It is a similar type of store, she says – both Calico and Curious are members of the industry association ASTRA (American Specialty Toy Retailing Association). She has a deep-running family history with helping kids have fun – her grandfather owned a North Seattle amusement park called Playland for decades!
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