11.25.2011

Love a Local on Saturday Nov. 26!

Shop happy, shop small, and show some love to your local economy.

American Express and a fleet of other corporations and government groups (see the full list on the website) are promoting the idea that on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, we should all spend some of our money and time supporting locally owned businesses.  Through advertising on facebook, on radio, and even on TV, the idea of Small Business Saturday is taking hold.  Word of mouth is passing the idea along and twitter is abuzz.

To officially participate, a business needs to accept American Express cards.  While the Happy Up stores don't take American Express, many of the small businesses in our area that we love (and bet you do, too) are participating.  So we're delighted to add our voice to the growing chorus and hope y'all aren't totally shopped out yet.

Save some of that energy for tomorrow.  Stop in your favorite locally owned, totally unique, favorite, fabulous, and festive small business.  Buy yourself a treat, or find something to give as a gift.

By shopping with locally owned businesses, the majority of your money *stays* in the community.  It helps support your schools, repair your roads, and is spent at other businesses.  It creates jobs, it keeps our shopping areas vibrant and interesting, and it's sooo much more fun!

Don't think you can make it to a locally owned store on Saturday?  No problemo.  You can have the same impact on your local economy if you roll with the 3/50 Project.  Super simple:  Pick three locally owned businesses.  Spend $50 at those three businesses, and the impact is massive. 

Most of the money spent at the big box stores vanishes and isn't reinvested in your community.  Money spent at the big boys on the internet never returns to your community, not even in the form of sales tax.

So love a local and love your community!

11.22.2011

The Reindeer are Coming!

That's right--  we'll have reindeer visitors in our parking lot again this year!  We hope you'll be able to come see them and their pal...  y'know who I mean...  The dude with beard...  Whatsis name again?  Oh!  Of course!  Santa! 

Reindeer schedule for Once Upon a Toy
Friday, Nov. 25 from 3 - 8 pm
Saturday, Nov. 26 from 12 - 6 pm

Once Upon a Toy is located at 2460 Troy Rd., Edwardsville IL  62025.  For more info you can call the playful folks at the store:  (618) 656-9596

11.16.2011

Join us for an Idea Exchange!

Over the years, we've learned so much from the therapists and special needs educators that shop with us. We feel it's time to return the favor. Join us for an open house and idea exchange! We'll be demonstrating toys and games that fit well into a therapeutic environment. As well as showing how some of our favorite playthings can adapt to serve a wide variety of needs.

We'll also have nibbles and giveaways!

Here's the nitty gritty info:
When: Thursday, Nov. 17 at 7pm
Where: LagoonaMagoo Toys in Fairview Heights, IL

So we know how many to expect, we are asking folks to RSVP by calling the playful folks in the store at (618) 628-9270

If you know of someone else who may be interested, feel free to send them this invite: Happy Up Idea Exchange Invitation

We hope to see you there!

11.09.2011

Come and Play on Neighborhood Toy Store Day!


Neighborhood Toy Store Day is Nov. 12, 2011--  so mark your calendars and come play with us!  All of our stores will be playing games.  We've been visiting lots of schools to lead their game nights.  It's been great to play games with the students and their families.  So we're bringing the fun home to our stores!  On Saturday, bring your gang and come play some really great games with us.  You may even discover a new family favorite!

The Happy Up Store locations are:
  • LagoonaMagoo Toys at the St. Louis Mills, Hazelwood MO -
    We're right by the playground!
    (314) 227-5335
  • LagoonaMagoo Toys in Fairview Heights, IL -
    6308 N. Illinois (aka hwy 159)
    (618) 628-9270
  • Once Upon a Toy in Edwardsville, IL -
    2460 Troy Rd (look for the TOY sign!)
    (618) 656-9596

This is the 2nd Neighborhood Toy Store Day, created and celebrated by ASTRA (American Specialty Toy Retailing Association).  The idea is to give the member stores a day to celebrate their unique contributions and role in their communities.  It's also a chance to raise public awareness of the power of play.  As families are pressed for time, it's easy to forget how important a little bit of game play can be to a child.  And to their grown-ups.  So find some time on Saturday and come play a game with us!

If you won't be near any of the Happy Up stores on Saturday, check ASTRA's website to see if there will be festivities near you!

Play on!

11.06.2011

Candy Buy-Back Exceeds Expectations!!!


Our customers are AWESOME!!!
With your help, we have collected over ONE THOUSAND pounds of candy to send to Operation Gratitutde! 

We just have one eeeensy little... er ... problem.  We didn't expect to collect this much, so shipping costs to send the candy to Operation Gratitude is way more than we'd planned for.  If anyone would like to contribute to the shipping fund, we would be soooo very very appreciative!

Thanks again to all our customers who brought in candy.  We are thrilled beyond belief!