573 Hudson Street (near 11th Street) http://www.teichdesign.com
Interview with owner Allison McGowan: This spacious store which opened on June 7 is family owned. (Teich– pronounced “tie-sh”– is Allison’s maiden name). She and her husband and 3-year old son live in the neighborhood. Their small boutique Teich Design on 8th Avenue near 12th Street did very well selling a limited selection of quality toys. Recognizing the need for a specialty toy shop, they took the plunge when this beautiful space became available early this year. Their broker told them that the real estate company, Newmark, desired a small business such as theirs.
WestView News: Please tell us about your merchandise and how you find it.
Allison McGowan: For starters our buyer designs her own line of wooden toys which you can see on the far shelf. We go to toy and gift fairs and trade shows looking for lines from local designers or at least US made toys. We recognize that we need exciting new stuff to get people in the door. We are not trying to compete with the chain stores with their overwhelming selections. We want our store to be fun to visit, hence the wooden train.
We also have what we call throwback toys—ie things which parents and grandparents remember from their childhoods like Silly Putty and wooden airplanes to assemble. We like to emphasize toys which bring families together such as games and puzzles and art supplies they can make or do together.
WVN: I see toys I would like to have just as decorations.
AM: So do other adults. A woman bought the colorful parrot for herself this week.
WVN: How did you decorate the space?
AM: My mother, also a partner in the business, is an artist and designer. She had the idea for the wooden train. We hired 3 architects who took this on as a fun side project. We used the shelves left by the prior apparel store; all the décor was done by craftsmen. The work came in on schedule, about 3 months.
WVN: I imagine the busy Bleecker Street playground is a plus. Do tourists also find you?
AM: Yes, we get tons of tourists. Restaurants such as The Spotted Pig and of course Magnolia Bakery are listed in guide books. Tourists will fill in during holiday seasons when locals are away.
WVN: How many employees do you have?
AM: Two full-time and 3 part-time. We may need to add people and stay open later because there are lots of customers still here at closing time, now 7 pm. We are open 7 days a week from 10 am.
WVN: That’s a good sign. I certainly have missed former local toy stores, now closed, where I could get recommendations for special, age-appropriate gifts —and gift wrapping. Thank you.
