Fair Play – August 2026
08/19/2026 In addition to playing games and indulging my nostalgia for my 90s childhood, one of my greatest joys is venturing to used book…
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Snapdoodle Shakes Up the Seattle Toy Scene
08/19/2026 by Victoria Ritter In the midst of the Great Recession in 2008, husband-and-wife team Rob and Cherry Pickering made a gamble. Fueled by…
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More to Love in Milwaukee: Astra Marketplace & Academy Grows in Scope and Popularity
08/19/2026 by Victoria Ritter With record crowds and several new features, Astra Marketplace & Academy in Milwaukee, WI was a true success. The Astra…
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Turning Kids into Painters: Ten Questions with Bob Ross Inc.
08/19/2026 Of all the artists in the late 20th century, few have resounded with people like Bob Ross. His approach to art, calm demeanor…
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Building a Strong Store Workforce
08/19/2026 A good, memorable in-store experience begins and ends with employees as customers rely on staff members for recommendations and guidance. The trick is…
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Tree Town Toys Balances Nostalgia and Innovation
08/19/2026 by Victoria Ritter When Kahootz Toys was acquired by Playmonster in 2019, team members found themselves scattered across the specialty toy industry. Since…
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Fair Play – June 2026
05/07/2026 In my recent internet wanderings, I came across a quote by Dr. Garry Landreth, a Regents Professor Emeritus in the Department of Counseling…
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A Place Where Kids Can Be Kids
05/07/2026 by Victoria Ritter In the northernmost part of Wisconsin is a small town with an especially small specialty toy store, Kiddiwink Kids. Inside…
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Slimy, Yet Cute: 10 Questions with Kawaii Slime Company
05/07/2026 Roxanne Robertson discovered the joy of sensory play through seeing her daughter experiment with making slime in their kitchen with their dad. Although…
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Navigating the Trade Show Floor
05/07/2026 Whether it’s checking out the newest products on the market, connecting with reps or simply getting ideas for inventory, there’s plenty to see…
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