Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Owner Spotlight”
NAPERVILLE, Illinois. When a classic sensory toy suddenly became one of the hottest items in retail, the owners of Learning Express Toys & Gifts in Naperville were ready to explain why. In a feature by Naperville Community Television, local store owners shared firsthand insight into the explosive popularity of NeeDoh and how specialty toy stores help families discover trending products …
BEDFORD, Massachusetts. The viral NeeDoh craze is sweeping the country, and independent toy stores are right at the center of the excitement. As highlighted in a recent USA Today feature, shoppers are lining up and shelves are quickly clearing as demand surges for these colorful, squishy stress-relief toys that have taken over social media and playgrounds alike. For Lauren Derse …
AVENTURA, Florida. A new viral trend is bringing families into toy stores across the country, and Learning Express store owners are right in the middle of it. In a recent feature by NBC Miami, Isaac Bendrao of Learning Express Toys & Gifts Aventura store shared how the “NeeDoh hunting” craze is creating incredible energy in-store. What started as a simple …
DEVENS, Massachuetts. Recently, the article “Learning Express: A Family Run Toy Empire” appeared in The American Executive, a business-and-leadership magazine. The piece chronicles how Learning Express Toys & Gifts has successfully navigated a retail landscape dominated by e-commerce giants by embracing a community-centric, nostalgia-infused model. CEO Lauren Derse, who has been connected to the business since childhood as the daughter …
BEND, Oregon. Local business owner Alee Lees, franchise owner of Learning Express Toys of Bend, OR, was featured on a recent TV segment highlighting top Christmas toys for 2024. The segment aired on “Good Morning Central Oregon” and showcased Alee’s expertise in curating innovative and educational toys that are captivating families this holiday season. Her store, known for its wide …
RENO, Nevada. Jenny Frederito, co-owner of Learning Express of Reno with along with her sister, recently hosted a “Kid-Preneur Pop-Up Shop” to help young people learn the basics of business by experiencing it firsthand. Her passion for fostering entrepreneurial skills in kids led to an event where participants could create, market, and sell their own products, building invaluable confidence and …
Toy World Magazine October 2023 – After 20 years working at A.C. Nielsen/D&B Research Company, Rick Derr opened the first Learning Express Toys franchise in the Chicago area in 1996, and then became a sub-franchiser, opening nine more stores. Although leaving the corporate environment behind, he has combined his expertise in data and numbers with a passion for the toy …
THE TOY BOOK – In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Lauren Derse, CEO of Learning Express Toys & Gifts to the show. Derse leads the largest franchised toy store chain in the U.S. and has vast experience with store ownership and oversight. Learning Express is known for its expert …
The Island 360 – The thrill of choice, the exhilaration of adventure and the opportunity to explore — these are some ideas that inspired Michelle Pascucci, a Port Washington, NY, mother, to open her community’s newest toy store. Learning Express, at 61 Shore Road, opened in late October. Pascucci is also the executive director of Parsons Preschool in Queens. She …
PATCH – A Learning Express franchisee and Port Washington mom plans a grand opening next week of her new shop, specializing in educational toys. Michelle Pascucci, a Port Washington resident, is opening a new toy store in town, one where children can visit and try out toys. The store, a Learning Express franchise, will open Thursday, Oct. 20 on 67 …
