|
Fifth Birthday Celebrations Jollys Toys has been celebrating its fifth birthday this summer! Back in May 2013, owner Charlotte Croser took the leap to move from clicks to bricks – opening her online shop as a real-life shop in the quirky building at 28a High Street in Thrapston. Since then, Jollys has become a popular fixture in the community and the place to go for children and baby gifts, party presents and pocket money treats. ‘Mrs Jollys’, as she has become known, grew up in a retailing family and caught the bug from her bookselling parents, building on how knowledgeable they were about their products and how great they were with customers. Charlotte has worked in retail on and off since the age of 16 and, throughout her twenties, she ran children’s shops in London, developing her knowledge and passion for toys and children’s retail. When her daughter started school, she decided the time was right to start her own. Jollys serves children from newborns to young teenagers. Traditional wooden toys and Jellycat cuddlies feature on the preschool shelves, as well as Orchard Toys games and puzzles, puppets and a fabulous range of books for babies and toddlers. For schoolaged children Jollys has a huge range to cater for all personalities and tastes, from craft and science kits to stationery and gadgets, as well as unusual puzzles and fidget toys, singleplayer games and plenty of choice under £5 Over the first five years, the business has steadily grown and Jollys still attracts new customers every week from as far afield as Peterborough and St Neots, as well as from Thrapston and surrounding villages. The website runs alongside the shop, sending parcels to households all over the country. The free ‘click and collect’ service and free delivery service for the NN14 and PE8 postcode areas are popular services with locals too. Charlotte extends her passion for the High Street beyond Jollys, being a founding member of Thrapston Farmers Market, the communityrun monthly market directing funds into local community groups and projects. She has also been heavily involved in organising other local initiatives to brighten up and rejuvenate areas of Thrapston High Street, as well as being on the team that runs the Christmas light switch on event in November each year. Jollys Toys, 28a High Street, Thrapston, NN14 4JH (opposite Barclays Bank) Tel: 01832 358915 • www.JollysToys.co.uk |
 |