Local business Refresh Toys recently moved to a new location, giving the store more space and what the owner hopes will be more foot traffic.
A family owned business that opened in February 2024, the store birthday parties, sells and trades Lego sets and figures and provides a playroom for kids.
“The reason we wanted to open was that my wife and I have 3- and 4-year-old boys, and we wanted a place in town where kids could play especially during the winter months,” said store owner Billy Seiling. “We wanted to build something because as parents, there is not a lot to do for little kids in town.”
Seiling said he has been buying and selling products online for about a decade and after doing a vendor show in 2023 with his wife, many attendees said they loved it and asked about seeing their store.
“We didn’t have any idea of starting a store,” said Seiling. “But so many people were asking and that was kind of the reason why we opened.”
Originally in Woodland Mall, the store moved to 110½ West Poe Road, near Main Street.
“Being located at the mall, it was a positive experience for our business, but there wasn’t a lot of foot traffic,” said Seiling. “We are now located on one of the busiest corners in the city, so I’m hoping with a new location we will get more customers.”
Seiling said he took to social media and email to let the community know about the move.
“We did a big sale connected with moving, which helped get previous customers we haven’t seen in a while back through the door,” said Seiling.
The store opened at its new location Saturday, Feb. 8. and Seiling called the first day a success.
“Our first day open was record-setting,” said Seiling. “It was the best day we’ve ever had as a business.”
Frequent customer Joe Bublick called his experience at the store positive.
“It is a toy store unlike any other in the area as it’s extremely clean, full of happy customers and there is a wide variety of items to purchase and toys to play with,” said Joe Bublick, a frequent customer at Refresh Toys. “It’s unique in that we don’t really have a Lego store around here, so it’s nice to have a place to chat and play with some Legos.”
Other customers lauded the store’s prices and the owners.
“The price is very competitive with any other Lego store, and it’s a wonderful place for birthday parties,” said frequent customer Jim Knepper. “I have always had good interactions with the owner, he is a good businessman and you can tell he cares about his customers being happy.”
Seiling said one of his main goals for the future is to hire employees, and he’s specifically looking to employ BGSU students.
“I’d love to hire employees, and I’m looking for a couple of different positions for BGSU students,” said Seiling. “I’m looking for students to work the retail side of things, birthday party coordinators or someone to help with social media.”
Seiling says he’s trying to reach BGSU students and be more involved with the campus.
“That’s another reason why we moved, to be closer” to students, said Seiling. “The university is one of the most valuable things about this town, so why would you not want to cater to them and get them in your business?”
Refresh Toys is open Thursdays from 4-8 p.m., Saturdays from 12-5 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
