Red Barn Mercantile plans to open a third store in Alexandria this fall, only this one will be dedicated to toys.
“A toy store is long overdue in Old Town and I’m just thankful that no one else has thought of it yet,” Red Barn Mercantile owner Amy Rutherford said in a blog post, adding that no store has filled the void left when the Why Not? shop at the corner of King and Lee Streets closed in 2016.
“Think toys and toys and more toys,” said Rutherford in an Instagram post.
The store will have art supplies, science experiments, toys for open-ended play, games, puzzles, and books.
“With an emphasis on well-designed, quality toys that allow for children to learn through play, we will give parents a better alternative to Target and the Internet,” the Instagram post said.
“We’re bringing candy,” Rutherford said. That candy will fill an entire wall.
The store will be at 1310 King St., a space that is currently vacant. Red Barn Mercantile is at 1117 King St. and its Penny Post is at 1201 King St.
Rutherford needs help naming the place. Options include Ickle Me, Dottie’s, Pip & Squeak, and Georgie & Dot.
For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine’s Shopping newsletter.
