SURPRISES In Store! Beloved Lancaster Village Toy Shoppe Moving a Few Doors Down to Bigger, Better Space
Saturday, April 9, 2022 (Lancaster, New York) – Having grown significantly in recent years, Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe is moving this summer to a larger space at 11 West Main Street, just a few doors down from its current location on the corner of West Main and Central Avenue.
The toy store will be located in between Furry Friends Holistic Pet Spa and Lilly Belle Meads where the Lancaster YMCA offices had operated.
“This new location is much bigger and has better accessibility for our customers,” said Crystal Newman, Bloomsbury Lane owner. “This is an excellent opportunity to expand our toy selection, host more events, and to create a custom look for our store that fits our fun vibe.”
The toy store expanded its business for last year’s holiday shopping season by opening a pop-up shop across the street in the New York Store. It was so successful that she knew she needed to find a larger space in the Village. Mrs. Newman said the fact that the West Main Street redevelopment project is bringing more business, more foot traffic and more residents to the Village made her move an easy decision.
“I’m very excited about this because we’re going to be where a lot of the new energy is and we’re able to create a new retail experience for our customers from the ground-up,” she said.
Mrs. Newman expects to move to the new location in July. The complimentary gift wrapping, loyalty program, birthday registry, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and extended hours will remain or improve at the new location.
Tom Sweeney, the landlord and owner of Glassco Development stated, “Crystal and Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe have been a valued and cherished part of our community and business district.”
Mrs. Newman asks customers to please be understanding and supportive during the transition and share the news of our new location “with everyone.” She and her staff will be working diligently to minimize any downtime during the transition.
“Keep coming into Bloomsbury Lane for all of your toy, games and baby gift needs,” she said. “We need your support now more than ever for business continuity – we are not closing – we are just moving down our beautiful street to a bigger and better location this summer!”
Follow the store on social media for updates.
Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe finds new home near old spot. READ MORE
Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe named a Nextdoor 2022 Neighborhood Favorite Local Business [Lancaster, NY September 8, 2002]
Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe has been named to the winning list of Nextdoor’s 6th annual Neighborhood Favorites, an awards program recognizing local businesses committed to helping their neighborhoods thrive. Winners of the 2022 Neighborhood Favorites were determined based on the number of neighbor recommendations a local business receives on Nextdoor across various categories. “On Nextdoor, small businesses are a trusted and core member of the community. These local businesses go above and beyond to make their neighborhoods a kind, welcoming place. It is a true honor, and good for business, to be voted a Neighborhood Favorite by your most loyal customers — neighbors.” said Nextdoor CEO Sarah Friar. With more than 55 million business recommendations from neighbors, Nextdoor connects neighbors with each other and everything nearby. Owner and Lancaster resident, Crystal Newman says “The support of the community has been wonderful. We consider ourselves lucky to be a part of such a lovely neighborhood.” The complete list of winning businesses in each city is available at nextdoor.com/favorites. Join the neighborhood network by downloading the Nextdoor app or visiting nextdoor.com.
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You may also reach us at (716) 609-2002 or email bloomsburylanetoyshoppe@gmail.com. www.bloomsburylanetoys.com
CLICK HERE to check out Bloomsbury and Beyond story on WGRZ TV
CLICK HERE to check out Expansion story on WIVB TV
West Main Street reopens in the Village of Lancaster in time for holiday shopping.
COVID-19 Regulations Threaten Holiday Shopping in Lancaster
LANCASTER, N.Y. — Like a scene out a Hallmark movie, Christmas in The Village of Lancaster is special. Crystal Newman would know. She owns the Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe. “And that’s the best part of working here,” she said. “Seeing the kids and their excitement when they see Santa Clause.”
But like most other things this year, 2020 has taken its toll on Newman and every business around her.”It was COVID and then it was construction,” Newman said. In midst of a global pandemic, Christmas is going to be a whole lot quieter. READ MORE
‘It would be financially devastating’: Small shops face closure during busiest season
Crystal Newman, owner of Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe in Lancaster, is hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.
Stores with Stories: Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe
| FAMILY FUN, SHOPPING IN BUFFALO.
Crystal Newman stocks her shelves with new toys then pauses to warmly greet her first customer of the day by name. Their conversation moves quickly from catching up on how the family is doing to a plea for help in choosing a birthday gift for their six-year-old grandson. That’s when Crystal springs into action and lives her passion – helping her customers find that perfect gift to celebrate their favorite kiddo.-READ MORE
Quirky shops in Lancaster – Buffalo News
Driving back via Lancaster, we hoped to visit Gilded Maple (4 W. Main St., Lancaster), a home and lifestyle boutique in a historic brick building. Sadly, it had just closed for the day so a return trip is in order. But by stopping there, we discovered the unique little stretch that is West Main Street, currently being extended and improved as part of a multi-use business district project. Other independently owned businesses along West Main Street include Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe, the all-natural healthy pet food store Purely Pets and Dark Forest Chocolate Makers, a “bean-to-bar” chocolatier. READ MORE
A decades-old desire to restore a Lancaster street gets its go-ahead READ MORE
Lancaster breaks ground on $8.5 million West Main Street project READ MORE
Main Street Mondays: Lancaster
LANCASTER, N.Y. (WKBW) — In the Village of Lancaster there’s two main streets for shopping, Central Avenue and West Main Street.
On the corner there’s Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe, The New York Store, and Dark Forest Chocolates. Down Central Avenue you can find Lancaster Coffee Company and Cafe, from the Attic and Plum Bottom Salon and more.
“Our Main Street has really come back in the last few years, and it’s wonderful,” Alan Kurtzman owner of the New York Store said. “There lots of variety now.”
It’s a quaint downtown with lots of great local shopping. With a new development project planned for Main Street, shop owners say they are trilled to welcome even more business owners to the area.
“It’s really an exciting time to be in the Village of Lancaster,” Crystal Newman, owner of Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe said. “The merchants here are very supportive of each other and we all have unique products.”
The village already has Christmas music playing in the streets and shops are busy with people looking for those unique gifts this year. There are many events planned right on the Main Street, you can check those out right here.
Catching up with Crystal after 3 years
I met with Crystal Newman at her business, Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe, located in the heart of Lancaster, New York on thriving Central Avenue to discuss her third anniversary. The store is bright and cheery and it invites you to use all of your senses (not discarding your sense of humor). Crystal greets me with a smile, a wave and an address by first name. She’s busy with a grandmother, Crystal’s favorite type of customer, who is shopping for two tween granddaughters and a younger grandson. I take a self-guided tour while I wait and I hear her suggestions and excitement in the demonstration. One of my favorite things about Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe is that nobody hovers over you while you try to shop but they’re always close enough to answer a question if you have one. It’s this non-invasive selling style that is a quiet (and appreciated) cornerstone of her business principles.
I ask Crystal to reflect on her last three years as a business owner and did the experience match the expectations. She explains that she has a marketing background but that never would have prepared her for challenges like Toys-R-Us closing down and online giant, Amazon, walking away with the lion’s share of business in this industry. The shuttering of America’s most well-known toy store, Toys-R-Us, put unanticipated pressure on Crystal’s inventory and selection. She credits her listening skills as one key to her success. She listens to her customers’ needs and wants and she listens to her vendors’ suggestions and business trends. Over the past three years, she has found herself having to rein herself in on buying inventory because her confidence in that area has blossomed. Crystal was surprised that emails, for instance, don’t have the impact that mailing lists that “mom & pop” businesses in the past heavily relied on, so she’s learned to navigate social media to help get the word out (be sure to “like” on Facebook). Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe also has a Birthday Club discount and ongoing promotions for selections that cover babies to teens.
Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe, like most village businesses, relies on good old-fashioned foot traffic and it is responsible for the biggest percentage of sales. Crystal has found “location-location-location” invaluable and with it, she has found home. She speaks highly of a network of Lancaster merchants who rely on each other and a home-grown, organic style of marketing to promote several town businesses. Crystal explains that this networking includes monthly meetings between merchants and Lancaster mayor, William Schroeder, and an alliance with the Lancaster Community Development Corp. The village of Lancaster and the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce are also actively involved in event planning all year round. Be sure to mark “Thursdays in the Village” on your calendar this summer, there will be 12 to choose from to support several local businesses.
Stop by Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe to congratulate Crystal on three amazing years and let yourself get lost in the serendipity of imagination. It’s always time well spent.
BLOOMSBURY LANE TOY SHOPPE IN THE NEWS
Discount Diva: Where to buy toys in WNY (besides Toys R Us)
There seem to be more people enjoying Christmas this year. Consumer confidence is up and, as a result, so is Christmas spirit.
More people are shopping online than ever, but many people are also shopping “the old-fashioned way,” in real stores.
Toys R Us is no longer an option for toys, so Target, Kohl’s, Walmart, Amazon; even drug stores, supermarkets and gas stations have upped their toy game trying to absorb some of those sales.
But if you really want to feel Christmassy, shopping mom and pop shops will make you feel like you’re living in a Bing Crosby Christmas carol. Plus, you’ll get free gift wrapping, attentive service and knowledgeable employees to help you hand-pick unique gifts that are perfectly suited for each child on your list. READ MORE
Closure of Toys ‘R’ Us gives boost to local toy stores
In the past, shoppers would head to Toys ‘R’ Us for gifts for the kids. However, this is the first year that was not an option, giving an extra economic boost to local toy stores. READ MORE
Crystal Newman, owner of Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe, shows off her puppetry skills. (John Hickey/Buffalo News)
Discount Diva: Nostalgia runs deep for Toys R Us, but indy stores can fill the void
By Published
Some kids counted sheep when they couldn’t fall asleep. I mentally perfected my Toys R Us Super Toy Run strategy.
Nickelodeon used to run an epic nationwide sweepstakes, the winner of which had five minutes to tear through Toys R Us, fill shopping carts with as many toys as they could and keep them all for free.
But that’s pretty much where my nostalgia for Toys R Us ends. I already had my heart ripped out in 1999, when Hills Department Store closed. As the not-creepy-at-all Hills Sprite always reminded us, “Hills is where the toys are”. Or were, until Ames took over and ruined everything. READ MORE
Crystal Newman owner of Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe, offers gift wrapping, and will have a fire truck display to go with a big fire truck parade at 6 p.m. Saturday down Main Street past her store. (John Hickey/Buffalo News)
Local merchants await you with open arms on Small Business Saturday
| Published
A woman walked into Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe in Lancaster last Christmas, almost in tears.
She had spent several hours wandering aimlessly through a big box store, trying to find presents for children on her list. She had gotten nowhere and was feeling overwhelmed.
Crystal Newman welcomed the woman into her toy store, took her coat, and gave her a glass of wine. Newman helped her pick three hot toys, then gift-wrapped them for her and sent her on her merry way.
“We just kind of swooped in for her and made it a pleasant experience,” Newman said.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what small, locally owned merchants are all about.
READ MORE
Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe a shining light for owner
Sitting at a desk all day can really get you thinking about all the possibilities the future has in store for you.
“My husband and son and I moved to Lancaster two years ago and I wanted to immerse myself in the community,” said Crystal Newman. “I had been in marketing for 10 years and I was getting antsy at my desk job. I wanted to be in front of people and I wanted to do something more fun.”
And then along came a shining light, Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe, located at 1 West Main Street, just minutes from Newman’s home.
READ MORE
Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe 1 West Main St Lancaster, NY 14086 (609-2002)
Tues 10:00am–5:00pm Weds 10:00am-5:30pm Thurs-Fri 10:00am-6:00pm Sat 10:00am-4:00pm
Holiday hack: Local retailers who gift wrap
A lot has been said about shopping local. One more benefit? Retailers who wrap. My sister, a mom of two young children, actually strategized her entire holiday shopping plan last year based on stores that wrap. Local shop owners understand that it’s time-saving services like these their customers appreciate.
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Women-owned businesses prove to be heart of Lancaster’s village
Crystal Newman, left, and Sherri Sikora chat about starting their own businesses in the center of Lancaster Village. Photo by Chuck SkipperPurchase color photos at www.BeeNews.comFor years, there has been a resurgence of local businesses in Lancaster, particularly in the village.
West Main Street and Central Avenue is the nexus of 1950s charm, with many more updates in the works for a flourishing, walkable village center.
For the business owners along these two streets, the timing has never been better. What’s more, the majority of these businesses are women owned.
Business Brief
(From the Bee Papers)
Lancaster’s Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe will join hundreds of locally owned stores across the country to celebrate the eighth national Neighborhood Toy Store Day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11.
Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe will offer fun, child-friendly activities such as toy demonstrations and giveaways, reveals of the top-rated toys, and snacks. Giveaways are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe is located at 1 West Main St. in Lancaster.
$30 Lancaster Village Shopping Gift Certificate
Lancaster Chamber Member
READ MORE
Toy store under new ownership, slates event
Crystal Newman is the new owner of Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe. She is shown with her husband, John, and son, Jacob.Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe recently changed hands, and there was no wasted time in planning an event for families to enjoy.
Allissa Miller will be reading “Where Are My Socks?” at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 23, at the shop. located at 1 W. Main St., Lancaster.