After eight years of selling novelty toys, stuffed animals, games and more in downtown Oxford, the Funky Monkey toy store recently opened a second location at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Auburn Hills.
When industry giant Toys “R” Us showed signs of closing, Funky Monkey owner Tom Jones saw an opportunity to take the Toys “R” Us Express’ spot in the well-known outlet mall.
“We’ve been (at Great Lakes Crossing) for a month and it’s been doing very well,” Jones said. “Great Lakes Crossing has really become a destination center, so there’s a lot more to do there besides just shopping.”
Jones enjoys the high volume of foot traffic in the outlet mall, which he said is the only big difference from the Oxford location, and is thankful to be just four stores away from Bass Pro Shop’s popular Outdoor Center.
The recent closure of the iconic Toys “R” Us chain marked the end of an era for the toy industry and its larger stores.
Despite this, Funky Monkey continues to not only survive, but thrive.
Jones said what has led to his store’s success, and what continues to make it different from the average toy store, is its novelty items, something the larger chain stores often can’t carry.
“We have unique, quality gifts that you can’t find at the big box stores,” he said. “A lot of the toys we sell just aren’t available at Walmart, Target and Costco. They’re made exclusively for small toy stores. We search around the world for proper toys that engage learning and keep the child active with the toy.”
Funky Monkey is part of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA), an international nonprofit that connects small toy stores with toy makers, many of whom are loyal to small businesses. ASTRA focuses on child-driven playing rather than selling toys that control how a child plays. These toys focus more on imagination and learning, which help make them the novelties they are.
Jones also attributed part of Funky Monkey’s success to its employees, who are trained to really know what they’re talking about when it comes to the toys lining the shelves.
“The first thing we look for is high quality and (high) caliber people,” he said. “That’s a huge key to the success of both stores. We have actual toy consultants here that can really help and guide customers.”
But despite the unique nature of the toys he sells and the employees he has, Jones said he and his wife, Ann Jones, remain especially thankful to the Oxford community for its loyalty over the last eight years.
“We are extremely thankful for the community,” he said. “They have supported us and they come into the store. Most of them will tell us when there’s a birthday, whether it’s someone they know well or just a child at school, they come to Funky Monkey (to shop). We love that we’ve become their go-to store for toys, gifts and presents.”