The Toyman offers an array of toys right here

New owners hope people will prefer to shop locally By Laurie Gordon SPARTA — Inside the white building on the west end of Upper Lake Plaza are trains, games, rocking horses and toys galore. Collectible toys from the past line the walls alongside the newest innovations in under-the-Christmas-tree childhood bling. For the past 23 years, Norman and Glenda Allen have been the owners. They were looking to retire at the same time Gregg and Marney Ostrowski were looking to enter the world of retail. Gregg Ostrowski grew up in Wantage and graduated from High Point Regional High School. His wife, Marney, grew up in Maine, and relocated to New Jersey in 1999, after they were married. Neither has a background in retail other than they both like to shop. The Ostrowskis were residents of the Lake Mohawk section of Sparta until November of 2007, when they moved to Branchville. “It has always been our dream to own our own retail business,” Greg Ostrowski said, and the toy store seemed like a fun business. “The Toyman is an old-fashioned toy store which has items one can’t find in large department stores,” he said, “Also being that it is a small store it has that family run appeal and allows us to be much more engaged with our customers. which is something you don’t find with the large retail stores. We have also known Norman and Glenda Allen for several years and having them support us was also very enticing. They are terrific people.” The Toyman offers a huge selection of Rainbow swing sets, many products by Melissa and Doug, Radio-Flyer, Playmobile, Klutz, Lionel Trains, Bruder, Madame Alexander, Steiff, Bakugan, and Webkins. “We will also be focusing on special orders, play houses, children’s furniture, doll houses and many other items. if there is a toy someone wants we will try get it. We will also continue selling sheds and gazebos,” the Ostrowskis said. Taking over the business in an uncertain economy may sound risky, but Gregg and Marney Osrowski aren’t at all worried. “The former owners and their kids have become family to us and are teaching us the ropes. The Toyman had a great reputation, locally, and for those who don’t know we’re here, why battle the mall crowds ‘down below’ and spend gas money to drive to the mall when you can get it right here in Sparta? Christmas time is hectic enough!” It’s a family affair Marney Ostrowski will leave behind 17 years in ophthalmology, working both as an office manager and technician, to run the store full time. Her husband will remain in his full-time job, working at the store on weekends. And 14-year-old daughter Taylor will also put in hours.