While COVID-19 restrictions continue to be important for the community, the fun and games must go on! In early March, just as concerns related to COVID were emerging, Fergus’ beloved toy & game shop at 735 Tower Street South changed hands from Jesters Fun Factory to Brighten Up Toys & Games. New owners Chris and Stephanie Bailey have been working hard, along with their team, to introduce themselves to their new community while following precautions.
The original plan was to hold a reopening celebration and ribbon cutting on April 4th, but due to COVID closures this was not possible. Many locals were quite excited to have their first experience with the new store – from a distance! – as free local, contactless deliveries brought toys, games, arts & crafts, and puzzles to the doorsteps of housebound residents and families during April and May. Since then, Brighten Up has been able to re-open their doors with limited public access, increased sanitation measures and physical distancing requirements.
It is now time for them to celebrate with the community that has been so supportive in welcoming them, despite the challenging circumstances. The reopening celebration will be held August 29th-30th and will include the following:
- Ribbon Cutting (Saturday at 11am)
- Sidewalk Sale
- ‘Off-the-Face’ Painting
- Social Distanced Photo Spot with the LEGO Movie’s Emmet
- Product Demonstrations and Unveilings
- COVID-Friendly Make-and-Take Crafts
- Playmobil 20% OFF Early Buy (on until September 5th)
- Door Prizes and Giveaways
The two-day format has been adopted to encourage customer traffic to spread out throughout the weekend.
“We are so pleased to be able to welcome customers into the store so we can reveal some of the changes and updates,” says owner Chris Bailey, but that “we miss the excitement of special events and the fun of play in our stores. We believe it’s important to find ways for our customers – and team members – to embrace learning, play and discovery as this is the foundation of our business.”
Brighten Up’s Erin location has also re-opened and the local support there has been very much appreciated as the team works to recoup on losses from their closure.
“Local businesses rely on our local communities, now more than ever!” says Bailey, “we are lucky to have so many incredible independent businesses in Wellington County. I think residents recognize that we are facing many challenges and that local support is what keeps us going.”
To learn more about Brighten Up Toys & Games, stop by their stores at 735 Tower Street South, Fergus and 67 Main Street, Erin – come ready to have fun and to be respectful of the precautionary measures and your fellow shoppers. You can also visit them online at www.brightenuptoysandgames.ca