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BUSINESS BUZZ Glebe Report March 10, 2017 17

Mrs. Tiggy

Winkle’s

turns
40!

by Michael Abbey

Mrs. Tiggy Winkle’s, with four loca-
tions in Ottawa, is not new to new and Mrs. Tiggy Winkle’s is celebrating 40 years in business this year.
long-term residents of the capital city.
In fact, this year they are celebrating opinions have an impact on what you
their fortieth anniversary! find in the store. Notes MacDonell,
I got a sense of the pride and accom- “our managers’ and our customers’
plishment she felt for the company and feedback can sometimes guide them
its 40-year history when I spoke with to their choices. There are a lot of
Eira MacDonell, who manages the products out there that are not neces-
stores. The Glebe location was first sarily what you would want to clutter
and is still regarded as the flagship your shelves with.” More than 50 per
establishment. The owners originally cent of the store’s products have been
resided in the Glebe but have recently carried for decades and include clas-
moved further west in Ottawa. Mac- sic toys that are not battery operated
Donell regards the staff over the and have never been commercial-
decades as one of the contributors to ized. Many of the stores’ wares are
the stores’ staying power and their educational and provide an outlet for
fit with the neighbourhoods within a child’s imagination and creative
which they operate. “For the Glebe potential.
neighbourhood, which is really where MacDonell and I chatted on the
this all started, it’s family owned and upper floor of the Bank Street store, Photos: miChael aBBey
operated. One of the key successes has home to Lost Marbles, whose contents
been the people that work here.” cater to older children. Lost Mar-
At the Bank Street store, some bles displays a suite of unique board
staff may look like an adult version games, coupled with some familiar The enthusiastic staff at Mrs. Tiggy Winkle’s are a good part of the reason for its
of someone you were used to seeing offerings that have been popular for success.
there in the 80s because many of their decades. “We have developed a very
staff are just that. “One of the young strong gift line.” MacDonell pointed
girls that worked here – both her par- me to Mille Bornes when I mentioned service have propelled Mrs. Tiggy
ents worked for Mrs. Tiggy Winkle’s. it as a childhood favourite of mine. Winkle’s to the forefront of toy stores
They met here and got married.” She has seen a resurgence in board in Ottawa. Young people come in Mrs. Tiggy Winkle’s
Many of the staff frequented the store game use, primarily, in her opinion, and play, interacting with their peers www.mrstiggywinkles.ca
as a child, and worked there part-time due to their social interaction poten- alongside welcoming and encouraging
while in secondary school and even tial. staff. There is lot of foot traffic and 809 bank St.
college. “The stores are community In May 2017, Mrs. Tiggy Winkle’s the rejuvenation of Lansdowne has 613-234-3836
supported and staffed. MacDonell will host a storewide sale to celebrate boosted the number of people entering Monday – Wednesday and Saturday
sees the clientele and staff as part of its 40 years in business. There will the store on Redblacks game days and
the corporate family. The Rideau Cen- be an open house with a drop-in and more. 9:30 – 5:30
tre store has been there 30ish years, customer appreciation theme. Some Mrs. Tiggy Winkle’s has a strong Thursday-Friday 9:30 – 8:00
now occupying a strategic location exciting offerings will be on sale dur- online presence and MacDonell said Sunday 11 – 5
near Nordstrom’s. There are cur- ing the month over and above the the electronic portal for their offerings
rently about 40 employees of all ages, tantalizing offerings familiar to clien- is doing well. Online sales are stead-
whose employment longevity with tele throughout the year. MacDonell ily increasing as is traffic on their
and dedication to Mrs. Tiggy Win- describes the inventory as societally Facebook page. They have a monthly
kle’s exemplify the way the company and environmentally conscious, show- newsletter people can sign up for Michael Abbey is a retired high-tech
runs its business. “Each store has very ing the store’s attention to detail in online, with a growing readership. professional who has written about
strong management. Stacey has been what they choose to display on their MacDonell and the company as a software and other matters for 20
the manager here for eight years.” shelves. You will not find any toy guns whole are thankful to all those who years. He can be reached at abbey.
File Name: Log-048-Jul-Ad-Newspaper-Fallis-4_75inx3_5in
Maida Anisman and her son Simon on their shelves, which is refreshing. have frequented the store and become fenderpbs@gmail.com or at Prefer-
are owners, doing the majority of the The toys they sell, the way they are part of a strong, steady clientele, and Majors on Twitter, or found directing
Creative & Production Services Trim: 4.75” x 3.5” Colours: CMYK
Material Deadline: August 2016
Bleed: 0" Safety: n/a Mech Res: 300dpi
100 Yonge Street, 10 th Floor
Toronto, ON M5C 2W1
buying. Outside and inside sources’ displayed and their excellent customer have passed the word along to others. a bridge game near you.
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need to retire comfortably?

www.findyournumber.ca
(613) 782-6773

Scotia Capital Inc. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Investment Industry Regulatory
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Log-048-Jul-Ad-Newspaper-Fallis.indb 1 2016-08-11 2:19 PM