Goodbye Nico & Zoe, and hello….

Nico & Lily Toys! Yes, it’s official. Just printed out the last of our orders & the website, blog, and all the social media will officially change name, today.

It’s been a great learning experience, these last 6 years, and one I hope Pam & I can look back upon and smile. Once all the paperwork is done, that is! But, change is inevitable…and a changin’ we are! Stay posted to www.nicoandzoe.com for updates as I, Stacy, open a new toy store, and Pam moves her handmade baby grabby pillows & other assorted fun to Etsy.

The toy store, it is a changin’….

We’ve been busy over here, with the end of school for Nico & Zoe, plus little sis, and a little summer fun in the sun that has FINALLY arrived to the Pacific Northwest. And, with the arrival of the summer season, we have a little news to share with you.

Nico & Zoe, making funny faces.

Long before Zoe’s arrival, her mom Pam spent her time in the professional world of web design. As they always do, priorities changed, and thus the thoughts of what to give that little girl to play with became much more important. It was there that the first ideas for a toy store focused on high quality, uncommon, and safe toys began.

Playing Together in Downtown Seattle.

Skip forward. Zoe’s an 8-year-old 3rd grader. Nico has entered the picture, and he’s even got a 3-year-old little sister. And, once again, priorities are changing. Pam’s found herself focused on a design job & career path she enjoys, and she’s ready to return, and maybe a little more schooling while she’s at it.

What’s that mean? It means that it has been a thrilling adventure, Nico & Zoe Toys, but it’s time for us to call an end to this period of our lives. It’s time to close.

Now, don’t fret! First, we’re going to have a sensational sale on our entire site. That’s right, every toy will be on sale. Good time to stock up on the gifts you know parents & kids are gonna love. We’re working on it now, and hope to have that sale up & going by Friday a.m.

Lily's Arrival, Nico's has a little sister.

And, the second reason is sitting on my lap right now. Lily, Nico’s little sister, has got my priorities stuck right where Pam found herself 8 years ago, and they won’t be changing for a good, long while. So, while the store Nico & Zoe Toys may be closing, Nico, Lily & mom are going to be right back at it. All we ask is for a little patience while Pam & I wrap the paperwork necessary to close, first. Once completed, we’ll be offering the same well made, imaginative, green toys we’ve always loved around here, just with a little name change.

In the meantime, stay posted for our sale announcement, soon!

-Stacy, co-owner of Nico & Zoe Toys.

They'll always be friends, no matter the changes, our 3.

Support the little gal with a little Summer Shopping!

Orangic Flower Tee, on clearance for just $12.

Join Nico & Zoe Toys, along with several small, mom-owned, independent business owners as we promote & peddle our goods this Sunday at the Richland Red Lion from 2 to 6 p.m. We’ll have kids’ clothing, handmade bows, and toys & jewelry, skin care, and goodies for mom.

We’ll be bringing a selection of our one-of-kind artisan made toys, plus some great deals on clearance organic clothing, wooden toys, tutus & puzzles.

Look for our signs on George Washington Way, right past the parkway, on your right. See you there!

See here for more info & a map: http://www.tricitia.com/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=6329

Help Nico & Zoe Toys Grow!

If you didn’t know, Nico & Zoe’s parents, Pam & Stacy are the owners, shippers, bloggers, website updaters, buyers, pretty much the entire operation of this toy store. We have no employees & fully run this show on our own. Not that we don’t enjoy it, we do, but it is a lot of work to be so personally involved in all aspects of the business.

And, because we started this business on our own, without financing, we also find ourselves working outside of the business, Pam as a web designer & Stacy as a teacher. Of course, we bring our training to the store, but it also pulls our time away from the toy store, and thus limits how far we can really take this business.

So, we find ourselves in need. We need to get beyond just breaking even on bills, and really expanding our marketing, products, and time & energy to advertising. And, we need your help. Intuit is offering small business grants to help with expansion & hiring. Grants range from $5,000 up to $50,000, and for us, that is an enormous amount of assistance. Imagine, being able to pay ourselves, and thus, focus on our small business in a way we have never been able to. It truly would be a dream come true!

Thank you to those who have voted. And, if you have not, please take this opportunity to do so now.

http://lovealocalbusiness.intuit.com/

Oh, You’ll Like This!

Weren’t the winner of the Organic Bunny giveaway? No worries, we’ve got another opportunity, and this one has got a whole collection of super cool small biz goodies for you. Yippee!

Go check out About Heart Photography, a mom-owned business right down the road from us, and enter to win a  jewelry pieces for mom, hand crocheted hat & custom hair pieces for the kids, if you’re local, a photo session for family or baby, and (drum roll please) a $20 gift certificate to spend on whatever you like, from us.

How about this cute bunny? No matter your choice, it’ll be of high quality, unique, and fun. Good luck to you!

Grabbing Bunny Toy by Kathe Kruse of Germany, $20

A Fun Time for the Whole Crew, starts Friday!

For all our local friends, especially those with kids out of school on Friday (hand raised!), be sure to check out the Family Expo, starting this Friday at noon.

This 5-star family event will include the traveling planetarium from the Pacific Science Center, bouncy houses, an interactive Science Alley, tumbling area for the little ones, and super local small businesses like us!

Nico & Zoe Toys will be there with a selection of our local, handmade felt food, hand-sewn sock animals & dolls, plus many of our one-of-a-kind wooden toys, and a few great deals with our end of the year clearance items too.

Friday, noon to 8 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
At TRAC, in Pasco, WA.

Should be well worth your time!

15 Days to Go? Yikes!

As he ripped the next loop off of his countdown chain, Nico proudly announced this morning – 15 Days Mama, 15 Days! I do love his six-year-old wonder & excitement over the coming of Christmas, I really do. But that number has me reeling right now. 15 days? Whew, I’ve got a lot of little things to do! Stocking stuffers, cleaning, wrapping, and just what are we eating? Yikes!

And, as I panic through my last minute preparations, here’s a few opportunities for you to get your last minute unique, one-of-a-kind gifts for friends & family.

Join Pam, and Nico & Zoe Toys, among many local Washington companies as they bring together a collection of green, sustainable, organic products & demonstrations to the Phinney Neighborhood Center on Saturday, December 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring the kids for ornament making while you shop!

And, while you are shopping Seattle, check out all the fine small businesses out there, offering quality products & service. Red Tricycle’s got a breakdown of the best local stocking stuffer shops for you.

And, last, but certainly not least, The Succulent Wife has found some really interesting & unique gifts all over the web – things for the kids & adults in your life. Scroll through for star shaped eco crayons, collapsible water bottles, and PooPoo paper, made out of real poo. No joke! Certainly worth a look, don’t you think? On the less stinky side, also listed is a fabulous & fun gift, our Cosmic Spinners – easy enough for the younger crew to spin, but interesting enough for the big kids to enjoy too.

Now, back to work for me, and the important question – who on my list needs the PooPoo?

Shopping Small Biz is Paying Off!

Not only do you get one-of-a-kind gifts & support your local economy, but a little kickback from Amex too. Started as a one day promotion, Amex has extended their $25 credit when you spend $25 at participating small businesses until the end of December. Woo Hoo!

Register your card here - https://enroll.amexnetwork.com/US/sbs/ – search for your local businesses, and start shopping!

Nico & Zoe Toys does accept Amex, through PayPal. And, you do not need to register for PayPal to use the service. It’s nice & secure too!

Amex says It’s Support Small Business this Saturday.

And I agree! American Express is putting out the word, shop small business this Saturday and help keep our small businesses in business. Check out their Facebook page to see how you can benefit from this fabulous promotion. Yippee!

http://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday?v=app_165267296827487

And, while you’re thinking about small business, we’ve got your opportunity to shop from artisans directly. Handmade jewelry, beads, and toys. Bring a can of food & get a bag of beads for free!

Nico & Zoe Toys will be there with a few of our handmade toys as well. Come by!

You are cordially invited to celebrate the first annual:
“Finest In the Land” Event
Sat. Nov. 27th and Sun. Nov. 28th
10a.m. until 6p.m.
The Hampton Inn on George Washington Way, Richland

Featuring:
Beautiful and unique hand crafted artisan jewelry & children’s toys:
Local artists create wearable art, from practical to elegant, using semi precious gemstones, hand blown glass beads, fine precious metals and unbelievable creativity.
Handcrafted & unique toys from around the US & world , all of high quality, and many one-of-kind.
Meet the artists and find something for yourself or someone you love.
And
Crown Jewel Bead Shows:
Eastern Washington’s largest gemstone and bead supplier brings the finest products to jewelry artists, from beginners to the most advanced. Come see what sparks your imagination! Beads discounted up to 60% for this event. Gift certificates are available.

Admission is free, bring a friend. Donate a can of food, and receive a small bag of beads!
Gift wrapping is available. Come celebrate the finest Tri Cities has to offer this season.

Finest Land Flyer