Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Owner Spotlight”
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 …
KBTX CBS 3 – Halloween will be here sooner than we know it, so Learning Express Toys of College Station, TX, owner Bridget Mais has recommendations on popular in-store costumes along with some that will allow for more creativity. “We all know we’ve not been able to have a proper Halloween, and I think this year is gonna be awesome,” …
TOY WORLD MAGAZINE – The 114-page October issue is packed with a plethora of insight, news, product launches and exclusive interviews from across the industry. As we move into the all-important last quarter of the year, Toy World brings you all the latest industry insight and takes a look at what is bound to be a busy build up to …
SHREVEPORT, Louisiana. Sarah Toups, owner of Learning Express of Shreveport, LA, was recently interviewed on KTBS Channel 3. She discussed how difficult shutdowns were for business in 2020 and how thankful she is that the community has come out to support local businesses in 2021. “Everyone has really come out in full support and gave me the courage to keep …
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee. Joanna Holland, owner of two Learning Express franchises in the Chattanooga area, was recently interviewed by local NBC affiliate, WRCB, about early sales results for the 2021 holiday season. “For the whole year we’ve been having our best year in history, actually, with a couple of different toy crazes with fidgets and Squishmallows that have been going on.” …
SHREVEPORT, Louisiana. Loving Living Local, a show on Ark-La-Tex, a southern state television network, recently interviewed Shreveport, LA store owner and Learning Express franchisee, Sarah Toups, about the upcoming holiday season. “We would love to keep people local this Christmas,” Toups said. To see the entire video segment, click the link below. https://www.arklatexhomepage.com/lovinglivinglocalnbc6/club-365-learning-express-toys-of-shreveport/
COLLEGEVILLE, Pennsylvania. Caroline Brant, owner of two Learning Express locations, recently discussed with local Fox affiliate Fox29 the upcoming holiday season and how to beat the holiday shipping delays by shopping local at Learning Express. “Squishmallows are hot, don’t wait, they’re very popular!” explained Caroline. When referring to Pokemon Cards, which are in short supply, she said, “If you see …
