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Toystore Story
Yale hopes relocation may help jump-start Audubon retail
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Business New Haven
6/9/2003
By: BNH
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NEW HAVEN - The Audubon arts district, which for all its potential has never quite hit its retail stride, received a shot in the arm May 30 with the opening of the Toystore on Audubon at 77 Audubon Street.
The shop's relocation from Chapel Street likewise heralds Yale University Properties' focus on the development of the Audubon Arts District. University Properties acquired the building as part of a larger property purchase from the Knights of Columbus last July.
The Toystore, which sells playthings from puzzles to dolls to costumes, is owned by longtime New Haveners Richard and Suzanne Stack. Both are involved in the arts: Richard Stack has taught creative writing at Purchase (N.Y.) College for many years, while Suzanne is a longtime teacher at New Haven Ballet.
Notes Richard Stack: "New Haven is one of the few cities in the state with a vibrant downtown community, and the Toystore is excited to a be a part of this community. We have seen many families swarming the downtown and we are ecstatic to be able to serve them."
The opening of the Toystore on Audubon marks the beginning of University Properties' promotion of a family-friendly, arts-oriented atmosphere in the Audubon district.
Said Yale Vice President for New Haven & State Affairs Bruce Alexander: "The Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School, Creative Arts Workshop and the Neighborhood Music School deserve to be complemented by some great merchants in the Audubon Arts district. The Toystore on Audubon, with its high quality educational toys and excellent children's books, is a wonderful addition to this family-friendly arts district."
Added Mayor John DeStefano Jr.: "The vision for the Audubon Arts District was to create a gathering place for all kinds of people in the community. Yale's commercial development of this district, coming on the heels of the transformation of Broadway, will strive to achieve just that."
The development of the Audubon Arts District follows University Properties' revitalization of Broadway and Chapel Street. Along with the opening of Sandra's Place, a family-operated soul food restaurant on Whitney Avenue, the Toystore enhances the presence of small, independent and local merchants in the Audubon Arts District that cater to families in and around New Haven, according to Yale spokesperson Thomas R. Violante.
Yale leases property to 70 commercial merchants, 65 of which are local and independent businesses, Violante says.
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