Let's 'Brighten Up' Your Day! 'Brighten Up' Your Day Through Discovery & Play!

Brighten Up Toys & Games Blog

Brighten Up is Out in Our Communities for FUN This Weekend!

Your friends at Brighten Up are ready for a fun summer weekend!
On Saturday (July 23) don't miss the Fergus Medieval Faire!
Let's get medieval!
July 23, 11:00 to 5:00 in downtown Fergus, Ontario
Join us for a free, family-oriented day of medieval fun & merriment. Featuring knights and ladies, vikings, battles, magicians and wizards, monks, birds of prey, musicians, archery practice, fight the knight (for kids) and more!
Brighten Up will be sponsoring the kid's area behind the Library with castle building challenges, BUBBLES, and more! Come and say hi!
Then, on Sunday (July 24) the fun comes to Erin with the Rotary Club's Summerfest from Noon-5pm.
Held in beautiful downtown Erin, Summerfest is an opportunity for friends, families, and neighbours from across the region to come together to support local Rotary fundraising projects. There will be great music by Settlers Creek, a BBQ featuring local delights, a beer tent featuring GoodLot products, and a bake sale in support of The Grove Erin – Main Place Youth Centre. There will also be games and events for young people.
Summerfest will also be an opportunity to see some fantastic motorcycles. A few steps away at MSN Motors will be a Motorcycle Show organized by Organic Art Tattoo to support Sick Kids Hospital.
Join us for great music, excellent food and beverages, cool motorcycles and good fun; all for worthy causes.
And... Did you know owner Chris is an Erin Rotarian?
Brighten Up will be sponsoring FREE face painting by Makin' Faces and magic with Tyler.
Come out and have FUN this weekend!
Continue reading

FREE Face Painting Returns to Brighten Up!

Our friends from Makin' Faces are BACK!

Tania and the crew are ready to wow you with their incredible free-hand face painting. If you can imagine it, they can (almost certainly) paint it!

Off-the-face painting is still a great option, too! Many kids - and adults - prefer a fun arm or leg 'tattoo'. 

Visit Brighten Up in July & August for FREE FACE PAINTING
by Makin’ Faces
Thursdays in Erin
& Fridays in Fergus
3pm to 6pm

It’s our way of saying THANK YOU! for supporting your Local Toy Store!

https://www.instagram.com/makinfacesinc/

https://www.facebook.com/makinfacesfacepainting

Continue reading

NOW HIRING: Full-Time/Part-Time Position Available at Fergus Location

Our fun and educational toy and game store is looking for a Retail Sales Associate who enjoys working with the public and is interested in an engaging customer service position. Our family owned and operated stores have a long track record in the community, and many of our customers are repeats who return for their next favourite toy, game, puzzle, or book. The Retail Sales Associate will assist customers by providing product recommendations, answering questions, and alerting customers to product options. The ideal candidate for this position has experience working in retail and a strong dedication to providing exceptional service for customers. This opportunity may also be suitable for a determined individual willing to learn and looking to enter the workforce and/or to develop these skills.

Compensation will be based on the candidate’s experience and skill set. All part-time/full-time mature positions are guaranteed above minimum wage after the probationary period. Benefits package for the employee and their spouse/family are provided with most positions of 20 hours or more per week.


Responsibilities & Duties

  • Greet customers as they enter the store and help them to locate appropriate product options
  • Develop solutions for customers by listening to their needs and recommending the appropriate products
  • Build rapport through conversation and honest recommendations
  • Utilize the company’s POS system to cash customers out
  • Assist in maintaining the stock room and maintaining merchandise displays on the sales floor
  • Collaborate with team members to keep the sales floor area clean and organized at all times
  • Consistently expand and develop knowledge in a diverse range of product lines
  • Consistently expand and develop knowledge and expertise related to childhood development, preferences and trends

Qualifications & Skills

  • High school diploma/GED required (full time/day staff only)
  • Emergency Level First Aid with CPR Level C (arrangements can be made early during employment)
  • 2+ years’ customer service experience is an asset, or willing to learn and develop these skills
  • Able to work collaboratively as part of a team
  • Able to self-manage and work independently
  • Light lifting, climbing short ladders and general cleaning duties are required
  • Willing to work a flexible schedule of days, evenings, weekends, and holidays
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Open and friendly personality
  • Capable of interpreting customers’ words and showing them products that meet their needs
  • Basic math and money skills
  • Willingness to become a subject matter expert

To Apply
Please submit resume, inclusive of cover letter noting position of interest, to:

Compensation will be based on the candidate’s experience and skill set. All part-time/full-time mature positions are guaranteed above minimum wage after the probationary period. Benefits package for the employee and their spouse/family are provided with most positions of 20 hours or more per week.

Continue reading

The CFIB Big Thank You Contest is back!

The CFIB Big Thank You Contest is back!

Thank you for supporting our business! You can continue sharing your small business love by taking a moment to say thank you to your favourite Canadian small businesses with the #SmallBusinessEveryDay Big Thank You Contest. We hope we are one of your favourites!

You could win $1000 plus a Big Thank You Box filled with small business products from each province and territory. Enter the weekly draws at SmallBusinessEveryDay.ca

The contest runs for four weeks, from June 27 to July 24.

#SmallBusinessEveryDay

P.S. don't forget your Google reviews are a HUGE help for spreading the word about small businesses like ours! 

Erin store: https://g.page/r/CULhPeZjp74vEAg/review
Fergus store: https://g.page/r/CQXCJ0mo3thEEAg/review

Continue reading

Demo Car Visits Erin Location!

Exciting news!

Erin alum Jake Middlebrook (a.k.a. #536 with Fordge Motorsports) will be visiting the Brighten Up Erin location! His latest car is painted up Sesame Street style, and he can't wait to share it with Erin kids (and big kids, too!). You will be able to have pictures with the car and Jake.

Saturday June 4th

EVEN MORE FUN! Our friends at AAA Events will also be joining in with Cookie Monster, Big Bird and Elmo. 11am-3pm. 

You don't want to miss this!

 

P.S. we hear Jake will be at the Caledon Derby on June 11th. 

Check out Fordge Motor Sports for more details:
YouTube link
Instagram Link

Continue reading

STOCK THE COTTAGE! Buy Two, Get One Free Games Sale!

It's time to stock the cottage! We can help with our BUY TWO, GET ONE FREE! Sale on all in stock board and card games. Only until May 31st!
No cottage? No problem! We have great games for at home and on the road. Games make for fun family time with unplugged play.
Did you know? We have over 400 different games in stock with choices for first games, family games, strategy play, escape rooms in a box, party games, trivia and brain training games, and much more!
Stop by our stores today - we can't wait to tell you about some of our favourites that the Brighten Up team has been playing lately!
Restrictions apply. In stock products only. Pokemon, MTG and other collectible cards not included.
Continue reading

We're Hiring! Join Our FUN Team at Our Fergus Location

Our fun and educational toy and game store is looking for a Retail Sales Associate who enjoys working with the public and is interested in an engaging customer service position. Our family owned and operated stores have a long track record in the community, and many of our customers are repeats who return for their next favourite toy, game, puzzle, or book. The Retail Sales Associate will assist customers by providing product recommendations, answering questions, and alerting customers to product options. The ideal candidate for this position has experience working in retail and a strong dedication to providing exceptional service for customers. Some openings may also be suitable for those looking to enter the workforce and/or to develop these skills. Compensation will be based on the candidate’s experience and skill set. Benefits are provided with most positions.


Responsibilities & Duties

  • Greet customers as they enter the store and help them to locate appropriate product options
  • Develop solutions for customers by listening to their needs and recommending the appropriate products
  • Build rapport through conversation and honest recommendations
  • Utilize the company’s POS system to cash customers out
  • Assist in maintaining the stock room and maintaining merchandise displays on the sales floor
  • Collaborate with team members to keep the sales floor area clean and organized at all times
  • Consistently expand and develop knowledge in a diverse range of product lines
  • Consistently expand and develop knowledge and expertise related to childhood development, preferences and trends

Qualifications & Skills

  • High school diploma/GED required (full time/day staff only)
  • Emergency Level First Aid with CPR Level C (attained prior to start of employment)
  • 2+ years’ customer service experience is an asset
  • Able to work collaboratively as part of a team
  • Able to self-manage and work independently
  • Willing to work a flexible schedule of days, evenings, weekends, and holidays
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Open and friendly personality
  • Capable of interpreting customers’ words and showing them products that meet their needs
  • Basic math and money skills
  • Willingness to become a subject matter expert

To Apply
Please submit resume, inclusive of cover letter noting position of interest, to:

Compensation will be based on candidate’s experience and skill set. Benefits are provided with most positions.

Continue reading

Meet the Easter Bunny! At Brighten Up Toys & Games

Hop by our stores on:
Saturday April 16th
Social Distance Selfies with the Easter Bunny
9am-Noon @ 735 Tower Street South, Fergus
and
1pm-3pm @ 67 Main Street, Erin
Stop by to take your picture with the Easter Bunny!
Specials and promotions all day long!
We will also be celebrating Easter with a special celebration Easter Egg sale. 
Crack Open an Egg with each purchase to save between 15 and 50%!
All day on Saturday April 16 - 9am-5pm!
Continue reading

March Break FUN at Brighten Up!

March Break FUN at Brighten Up!

March Break is coming up quickly! 

Join us for fun and free activities throughout the week, including...

MONDAY MARCH 14
Construction Day
- KEVA Blocks building
- Q-Ba Marble Maze creations
- Toddler Construction
- Daily Draw for a Construction Set (minimum $20 purchase required to enter draw)

TUESDAY MARCH 15
Arts & Crafts Day
- Make & Take Craft Activity
- Colouring
- Art Supplies
- Daily Draw for an Art and Craft Supplies Bundle (minimum $20 purchase required to enter draw)

WEDNESDAY MARCH 16
Puzzles & Brain Teasers Day
- Community Puzzles (sponsored by Cobble Hill Puzzle Company)
- Brain Teaser games demos
- Daily Draw for a Puzzle (minimum $20 purchase required to enter draw)

THURSDAY MARCH 17
Nature Science & Outdoor Day
- Plant & Take Seeds
- Specimen Jars activity
- Active Games demos
- Daily Draw for an Outdoor Game (minimum $20 purchase required to enter draw)

FRIDAY MARCH 18
Family Games Day
- Demos of the 'Mathemagician's Duel' with the game's creators (2pm-7pm)
- Family Games demo tables
- Daily Draw for a Board Game (minimum $20 purchase required to enter draw)

Please remember that face coverings are still required indoors. Hand sanitizer will also be made available.

All activities are free of charge and will occur in both store locations during open hours, unless otherwise noted.

We look forward to seeing you!

Continue reading