The Toy Store & More on Helper’s Historic Main Street gained traction as a seasonal shop through the holidays last year.
The store was the brainchild of Malarie Matsuda, Lita Riley and Sarah Lefler. The three women each brought something unique to the Helper business with Matsuda overseeing the toys while Riley offered her hand-made goat milk soap, lotion and bath bombs. Lefler brought items from her Wellness Within line of essential oil holistic wellness products.
From the store’s inception, the women intended for The Toy Store & More to be a seasonal offering, closing its doors just before Christmas. However, another local woman envisioned an opportunity to offer children’s toys year-round.
“I couldn’t be more excited or grateful that the opportunity fell into my lap at the perfect time,” said Taryn Bunderson, who will be taking over the store. “I’m finally doing what I’ve talked about for years, I’m going to be a small business owner.”
Bunderson, with help from her husband Cody, has taken the reins of the store along with her vision, which will keep some of the store’s past qualities and integrate her new ideas. One of these new ideas is a name change: the toy store will now bear the name Three Little Llamas.
“Part of our mission with doing the seasonal store was that I wanted to inspire other local people to open business and invest in Main Street,” Matsuda said. “So, we are very happy that The Toy Store & More inspired the Kid’s Station as well as Three Little Llamas to join our historic Main Street business district. Lita Riley can be found at Canvas Alchemy and you can connect with Sarah Leffler from her Wellness Within Facebook page. I am turning my attention back over at my Helper Homegrown business and working hard for Helper City on the city council.”
Bunderson will continue offering the well-known and loved Melissa & Doug line while adding more toys and other gifts. While Bunderson is busy preparing for the changes and additions, she plans on reopening the store in the coming weeks.
For more information on Three Little Llamas and to stay up to date on the store’s opening, please visit the store on Facebook.