Unplugged Toys & Gifts merges educational, fun toys to spark kids’ creativity and imaginations

I’ve noticed a subtle change among consumers these past few years. It seems that people have come to re-appreciate the “Mom & Pop” stores, and/or smaller shops. I don’t see it as an either/or issue – just that many people left the Mom & Pop behind a few decades ago, all in the pursuit of saving a buck.

The buying power of the larger chains translated into lower prices and purchasing power for us common folk. The “Mom & Pop” stores couldn’t compete, so unless they offered a service or niche that couldn’t be found in the large stores, they would disappear. This migration really hurt the smaller, local business owner and many shut their doors.

What seems to be happening today, is a sort of revival of the smaller stores. Large chains have almost become synonymous with impersonal service, customer service turnover and often poor quality products produced in another country so that the supplier can save a buck. Of course, there are plenty of exceptions, but it seems that the older generation began to miss that personal service and high-quality product. They wanted it back.

We are seeing more and more smaller stores crop up again. People enjoy being called by their first name, seeing the same face, and dealing with someone that feels more like a friend than a “service rep” or salesman. Besides, it’s nice to be able to work with someone who knows your history – what your current projects and needs are.

In addition to this return to personal service, many shops are offering niche products. Things you simply won’t see these larger stores carrying. One shop that offers all these “lost” services and an excellent niche product is a new toy store that just opened up in the Dartmouth Mall: Unplugged Toys & Gifts specializing in toys for 10 and under. This is their second location, the first was opened 16 months ago in the Taunton Galleria Mall.

What has made Unplugged Toys skyrocket to success is their service and toys. Owner and manager Walter Mandeville prides himself in what he offers: “…quality well made educational toys, being creative, and having imaginative fun around every corner.” Walter felt that toys didn’t have to be either educational or fun – they could in fact, be both. He would have to cherry-pick and put in the work to find each and every product that he wanted on his shelf. Work that he was happy to do, because he has that genuine passion that I bring up in many of these spotlights.

Passion can’t be faked – or at least, it can be seen through. Walter not only knows each and every item on his shelves, because he went through the laborious task of thoroughly researching each one, but he also tests them out. In fact, if you frequent the store enough, you’ll catch Walter playing with the toys in the special area set aside for just that. Learning the ins and outs of each toy. When you ask him a question about a toy, he can not only tell you all the dull specs on them, but he can tell you about these toys from personal experience. Hey, if you have a kid or even an inner kid, you can plop down alongside him and test them too.

You simply won’t see a customer service “rep” doing anything similar to this, in a chain store. You won’t see them with the same passion and drive.

“Children can become self-motivated when their natural curiosity is encouraged.” Walter began. “We would like kids to keep their imagination and creativity flowing while playing with any toy bought at Unplugged Toys & Gifts. An old-fashioned toy store like this is full of magic and you’re missing out if you’ve never taken your kids to one.”

What makes this play area brilliant, is that mom or dad can browse the aisles while their child plays. It’s an open area, so you’ll never lose sight of them. That means that even though your son or daughter tagged along, whichever toy you decide on can still be a surprise. No tugging your coat-tails distractedly while making a decision. If no surprise is planned and you’re letting the kids decide on what to get, they can test run a few in the play area.

And what drives Walter and every staff member is their slogan “Powered by imagination.” It’s an accurate slogan that encompasses everything about Unplugged Toys & Gifts. Walter feels it reflects something that children have lost the art of: imagination. Remember when we were kids? If we had a branch, we had an Army Rifle, witch’s broom, or microphone stand. If I had a tree to climb, I had something to do for half an hour. Manhunt? Could easily lose 4-5 hours in the blink of an eye.

With the minimal and creative process in mind, Walter offers countless art and craft supplies. Building sets of many kinds: Pinblocks, Mega Blocks, K-nex, Laser Pegs, Erector, Nano Blocks and more. There are dolls, role-playing and dress-up kits, and play tents that only need the minimal amount to imagination to kick-start. Puzzles (an astounding amount), tunnels, stickers, stuffed animals, games, magic tricks and more.

If your child has shown an interest in music, there are a dozen different instruments to choose from – xylophone, harmonica, guitar, whistles, play pianos, etc. Have an infant or toddler that is just developing? There is an entire section of First Play, Fisher-Price, Edushape and other toys.

The variety of items that are packed into this modestly sized store, is mind-boggling. I’m pretty sure that it would be next to impossible to walk into the store and have a child not want half of it. Since they all require fueling by imagination or creativity, your child will never realize that they are educational in some way. In an age and era where it’s not uncommon to see an 8 year old with a “smart” phone, this is refreshing.

It is a business like Unplugged Toys & Gifts and small, local business owners like Walter Mandeville that I enjoy covering. I think a good thing can often be overlooked and under-appreciated. By spotlighting Unplugged Toys & Gifts, something and someone deserving gets the limelight. I’m not adverse to using big corporate or chain stores to save money, but when it comes to educational, creative toys backed by a passionate and knowledgeable owner and staff, there’s nowhere else that is getting my buck. Here’s the kicker – that buck goes far, because Unplugged Toys & Gifts has affordable prices that are as good, if not better than the big stores.

One of things that Walter prides himself in, is that he carries a toy line called “Green Toys,” which uses recycled materials – a direction he’d like to see more and more. However, his greatest source of pride is the looks on the kids’ faces when they first walk into the store and then start exploring.

“To see the look in the child’s eyes as they come to the store is inspirational.” opined Walter. “Their smiles and questions provide the motivation so that we are able to do our best to enhance their lives with new and challenging educational toys.”

That look of the wheels turning, of excitement and exuberance is certainly not limited to the kids. Your inner child will be tapped. I know this first-hand, since the very first time I walked into the store, I spotted the Hot Wheels and Matchbox section right near the entrance. It opened up a can of memory worms. I was immediately flooded with fond memories of crash-up derbies, races, and rescue missions with my collection of Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars. In fact, I still have my worn, battered and abused collection stored away. I started to recall all those friends I enjoyed these moments with – how I had lost touch with them in this simpler time of my life.

Unplugged Toys & Gifts is a return to this type of play. One where you are surrounded by friends and create worlds of fantasy together. The toys become tools to a bonding and social interaction – bonds that last a lifetime. In a world where people are ignoring the person in front of them, for the person on the end of their text messages, it’s a welcome return. It’s a much-needed return.

Walter offers an incredible incentive to become a fan of his Facebook page. Not only will you be up to date on new items, sales, events, and special visitors, but by becoming a fan, you receive a permanent 10% discount. That’s no misprint – you get 10% forever. In addition, he runs a Christmas contest whereby twelve lucky kids are chosen to receive a present on Christmas. How it works, is he pulls a name based on a child’s birthday. One child for January, February, March, etc.

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