CINCINNATI, Ohio– As many toy stores across the country struggle with the competition of technology, one Cincinnati toy store has stayed true to its roots and continues to succeed.
- King Arthur’s Court has been in the Oakley and Hyde Park communities for decades
- Last year the toy shop converted its basement into an indoor playground
- parents and children love the new option at the toy store
King Arthur’s Court Toy shop has been a staple in the Oakley and Hyde Park community for decades. But just about a year ago, they added something very unique to the basement of their toy shop
King Arthur’s Court is like a castle- and every castle has it’s dungeon. But this dungeon is a little better than what you think. The toy store has turned it into a playground.
“I thought that it was going to be a fun place and that we were going to be busy, but it has turned into basically an indoor playground for Oakley,” Rob Kearney, a manager and buyer for King Arthur’s Court said.
Employees say the downstairs area used to be a clearance room. But the business decided it needs to step up its game.
“How do you get people to want to come into the store and spend some time in the store even if they don’t necessarily want to buy anything today,” Kearney said.
This dungeon boasts a zip line and plenty of items to climb. Parents love it, especially on a cold winter’s day.
“For one, it’s free,” dad and Cincinnati Dad’s Group organizer Brock Lusch said. “And two there’s a lot of things to climb around on. The kids can exert a lot of energy. “
“It’s great because I have a range of children from six years old to one year old, and there’s something for everybody,” mom Tricia Tomich said. “And I can keep eyes on everybody.”
For stay at home parents like Lusch, it’s sometimes a struggle to find something entertaining for their children. But as the kids bond, the dungeon also serves as a place for parents to meet.
“It’s nice that there’s a little sitting area over there with couches and chairs,” Lusch said. “I’ve definitely been in conversations with quite a few parents just getting to talk about what’s going on. Or you see one kid do something, and you’re like O my kid does that exact same thing, and you’re like o great I’m glad to know I’m not alone in this.”
While the playground is now about a year old, King Arthur’s Court sees it as a way to continue to get more people through its doors.
“It makes it a destination instead of a local store,” Kearney said.
King Arthur’s Court is located on Oakley Square in Cincinnati. Employees share that they have plans to build a castle on the first floor to continue to give kids a chance just to play.
