Tree Town Toys - Internet Store goes Brick and Mortar

By
Colin Loomis
on July 25, 2008 TrackBacks (1) Comments (4)

Tree Town Toys fills a market void in the toy industry, providing their product list in multiple different search queries, from age range to different skill sets required for games. From local to national business plans, this local company might have both figured out.

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Filed under: Ann Arbor, MI | Information Technology | Start-Ups | Tree Town Toys

One year ago this month, Hans and Tricia Masing took their online store, Brain Station, to the store front.  Opening their first store, Tree Town Toys in Ann Arbor, they were looking to provide unique and interesting toys to the community.  As new parents, they were driven by their own search for great toys for their children.

As automotive engineer (Tricia) and an IT guy (Hans), the two seem to be an odd couple in the toy industry.  However, combing their quest for toys with Hans' IT experience proved fruitful and helped create their online store Brain Station.  Filling a market void in the toy industry, Tree Town Toys and Brain Station provides their product list in multiple different search queries, from age range to different skill sets required for games.  Want to develop hand eye coordination? They've got 243 toys for that.  Toys for a 1-2 year olds?  Choose from 53 different toys for them.

As all start up companies discover financing is one of the most difficult portions of the process.  Hans and Tricia were no exception to this.  Tricia notes the Michigan economy as a stumbling block.  She notices a change in targeting perspective as one solution to their initial problems.  Current perspectives are interested in national, not local business.  Managing an online store for Tree Town Toys, which is very similar to their Brain Station store, must have helped to ease investors minds.  While the store was only in Ann Arbor, their products are still being sold across the United States.

Beyond toys, Tree Town Toys provides the community with two other great assets.  They are helping our economy by providing more jobs.  Those interested in marketing, customer service, and toys should check out their careers page. Need a creative activity for your own children?  Take a look at their events page.

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» Tree Town Toys - Financing in a down economy from The Bullpen

Lenders would ask, "How is it your going to make money with Pfizer closing down across the street?". They didn't get that the store was just a face for their international online store. As a matter of fact, Tree Town Toys wasn't wincing from the Mich... Read More

Tracked on August 25, 2008 11:29 PM

4 Comments

Bob on February 26, 2009 9:36 AM
Getting good construction bricks in Michigan might not be as easy as it would first seem. I was fairly new to the market, so I jumped in thinking that I could make a couple phone calls and line something up for my masonry project. I never realized the large number of choices that would be presented to me when trying to install a simple stone fireplace. After talking to Lincoln Brick and Supply (http://www.lincolnbrick.com), I realized that it takes some thought and energy when making decisions about this particular building supply. Needless to say, Lincoln Brick was able to take their time and help me make choices for my custom building project. They were a great help, and I look forward to working with them in the future.
Leah Layher on March 30, 2009 10:51 PM
It's nice to see that even though the economy has fallen on hard times, especially in Michigan, that there are small businesses that are still willing to stay in business with a great product. Tree Town Toys isn't only a local business but it's nice to see that it is accompanied by a website so customers all around the country can enjoy the products. What most parents want for their children isn't simply toys but toys that will stimulate their young developing minds. This company has at least 243 toys that are developed just to developing hand eye coordination. I really like the fact that an engineer and IT person, people who you wouldn't put together with toys, put together a product that's not only practical but also beneficial.
Rushdi on April 16, 2009 9:38 AM
243 toys for hand and eye coordaination is great because toys that can teach and toys that we can have fun with. I like this idea because our kids can use toys that will keep them busy and they are learning while staying busy. After reading this story i would want to visit the store and it is not far for me because i live in the Ann Arbor area. The couple is crazy for opening during these ecmonic times but this idea is good because in Ann Arbor their are mant parnets that love the idea of learning while have fun. by adding a website for people that does not live in the Ann Arbor area is also a great idea and the IT person experiance will keep the site up-date and looking good.
Baby Annabell Doll on September 1, 2009 2:20 AM
Have you guys heard about Baby Annabell Doll yet? It acts like a real baby! It coos, it cries and even snores!

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