Like many shops and businesses, Jollys Toys of Thrapston had to close its doors to the public from Tuesday 24th March due to the COVID-19 epidemic. However, ‘Mrs Jollys’ was well prepared with a fullystocked website and a local and UK-wide delivery service in place.
So from 9am it was all go... and she hasn’t stopped since! The shop is now back open again but the online service continues.
Mrs Jollys (Charlotte Croser in real life!) would like to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has supported Jollys throughout the past months. ‘It has been a different way of working, with orders coming in online, through social media and over the phone at all times of day and evening. I adapted to it straight away as I didn’t want to let customers down, and I knew this was the best way Jollys could ride the uncertain times ahead’, Charlotte says.
Lockdown favourites have included: paint and craft supplies like Hama beads, 1000-piece puzzles, educational activity sets and family games, as well as lockdown birthday treats.
Mrs Jollys’ favourite orders have been ‘Birthday Doorstop Drops’ where customers order a gift for a friend or relative who they can’t visit themselves. Mrs Jollys gift wraps and adds a handwritten card on their behalf, and delivers to the birthday child’s doorstep on the day. ‘Sometimes several customers order for the same child, so I get to deliver piles of goodies in one go – extra special!’ she says. This service continues to be offered as it has been so popular.
Jollys has welcomed new customers from across the area and further afi eld, and regularly received calls and orders from people who actively want to support a small, independent toy shop rather than buy from the big shops. ‘These past months have changed people’s shopping habits and many more now see the value of buying from small, local shops. I hope this continues beyond the COVID situation’, says Mrs Jollys.
Jollys online shop offers FREE LOCAL DELIVERY to homes in and around Thrapston and Oundle, plus a UK-wide delivery service for £3.99. The Jollys Toys shop in Thrapston is now open again, but please contact them for up-to-date opening hours as these may differ as they get back to a normal pattern.
Ultra Dash £22, active fun indoors and out for all ages Brainbo £10, super fun quick-fi re card game for ages 7 to adult Hama Beads £various, crafty fun for ages 5 to adult Tell the Time Learning Set £9, games and activities to teach telling the time in analogue and digital
Jollys Toys, 28a High Street, Thrapston, NN14 4JH Tel: 01832 358915 • www.JollysToys.co.uk
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