FAIRFIELD, CT — Toy Polloi, a new toy store that recently opened in Fairfield, was founded on a simple premise, owner Anne Hackett told Patch this week.
The store, located at 41 Ruane St., sells high-quality games, educational and craft toys, art supplies, books, and other toys, that Hackett, a Fairfield resident, could not find in town.
“There was no dedicated toy store in town,” she said. “People had to leave town to look for these types of products, and I wanted to change that.”
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Hackett has a professional background in wholesale and merchandising, but Toy Polloi is her first store, a dream 10 years in the making.
“I’m not competing with the Targets or Walmarts of the world, which can undercut me on price,” Hackett said. “Our strategy is to stock unique, high-quality toys.”
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Toy Polloi sources a lot of its products from small, independent companies from Europe and other parts of the world, with some products also from the United States. The key is that Toy Polloi stocks brands that are committed to quality, creativity, and sustainability.
“We want toys that are engaging for children, that offer imaginative, open-ended play,” she said. “I’m always keeping an eye out for interesting products, and I plan to maintain that sense of discovery in our shop by bringing in new items regularly.”
Hackett, a mother of two, said she asks her children what they think of some of the toys she stocks, but she added, with a laugh, that it was difficult telling them they could not play with anything while she was setting up the store.
Toy Polloi has been open for two weeks, and already Hackett has seen repeat customers, which confirms that she has picked out products that parents feel good about buying for their children.
On Friday, the store held a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by First Selectman Bill Gerber, Director of Community and Economic Development Mark Barnhart, and state Rep. Jennifer Leeper.
Hackett said that at some point during 2024, the store will open up space upstairs for small birthday parties and craft classes; currently, the upstairs space is being used for an office.
Toy Polloi’s hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sundays, noon to 4 p.m. Additionally, customers can shop on the store’s website, toy-polloi.com, with the option to pick up in store.
Toy Polloi is also on Facebook (facebook.com/hellotoypolloi); and on Instagram (@hellotoypolloi).
For questions, reach out to the store via email at shop@toy-polloi.com.
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