After nearly two years at the present location on the corner of 32nd and W Raye, Nifty Toy & Gift will not be renewing their lease. The simple exterior belies the cheer within, but soon the colorful shop will be closing for good. If you are a fan of Nifty, or have been meaning to stop in, be sure to visit before the last weekend of March. With all toys, games and crafts on clearance, now is a great time to stock up on gifts. The discount will increase the week before closing. With deals to be had, it’s also a great time to spend any unused gift certificates, though they will still be valid at Nifty’s Summerfest booth, as well as at any future location.
And, yes, there are plans for another store in the near future, but place and date are still not certain– though it is likely a lease will soon be inked, for a space closer in the Village. One thing is for sure, though– owner Paula Elder Hlastala is not considering anything off the bluff. “Magnolia is my home. I grew up here, as did my parents, and in looking for a new space, there was never any question that any future shop would be in Magnolia.” But finding a smaller space will help Nifty’s long term survival in keeping overhead manageable. In the interim, while a new space is secured and remodeled over the next season, Nifty is excited to announce a partnership with Wish Upon Children’s Consignment. Wish Upon will host a variety of Nifty’s new merchandise, ready for gift-giving. Both shops opened around the same time, and have always referred business to one another. Look for a bit of a shop-within-a shop as Nifty and Wish Upon partner up!
Nifty will also be developing an online presence, which was something that fell by the wayside having an owner who is also the only employee. But a website seems imperative after this holiday season proved a disappointment– a sentiment echoed by many small businesses, including other Village merchants. Nifty had double the inventory of last year, and yet holiday sales were down by 14 percent. There is no question that competition from online sales was a factor in this. Paula notes, “With our busy lives, the convenience and savings offered online means that cyber shopping is not going away– I would be foolish to think otherwise.” But it certainly influences what Nifty will stock in the future. Gone will be the large sets and expensive items that people search for online. Staying will be the fun, little trinkets and toys that people love to come and discover, as well as many items in the “sweet spot” for gift-giving, ranging from $15 to $25.
In buying for the store, Paula loves to find items that either she has not seen before, or that are very nostalgic. “I think that the act of browsing, of going to a place and engaging the senses, is why having a variety of merchants is an asset to a community.” For Paula, having kids race in the door, declare Nifty their “favorite store ever” and delight in discovering all kinds of different things has been a treasured part of running her store. “And I’ll miss my after-school crowd, too.” Being right across from Blaine School, the bell signals what has been affectionately dubbed “the tidal wave”—school kids coming to get some candy or their reward sticker, or to meet a parent. “I’ll miss that energy. I hope my customers will have patience to look me up again and come find Nifty as it evolves.” Be sure to swing by 32nd & Raye to say goodbye and shop one last time– and then stay tuned (by checking Facebook or Magnolia Voice) for any Nifty developments!
Nifty’s hours are Tues-Thurs 1pm-5pm, Fri-Sat 11am-6pm, Sun noon-5pm, closed Mon. The address is 2560 32nd Ave W, on the corner north of Albertsons. Telephone (206) 858-6671. Email niftytoyandgift@comcast.net.