MEQUON, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS)—  A Wisconsin Toy Maker is extremely busy this time of year.

It's nearly Christmas time which means toys are flying off the shelves for kids. But what about those who make toys? A wooden toy maker in Mequon is hard at work to get toys ready for the holidays.

A simple slice of wood is all Jon Kranitz starts with when making a wooden toy. He's hard at work- just like Santa’s elves this time of year. In this case, he is making his specialty wooden toys.

John has been making toys for nearly 40 years with his company Chickory Wood Products. He says it all got started when he got full custody of his two children.

"It was not a planned company. It was strictly by accident, and we have been doing it ever since," President of Chickory Wood Products, John Kranitz said. He continued "So I am sitting there I have ten dollars in my wallet, about $50,000 in debt, no child support, and it's two weeks until Christmas,"

John was in a crunch so he says he decided to make his two kids toys for Christmas with stuff he already had at home. Now, decades later, he's created over 100 styles of wooden toys.

Now, although these toys are considered classics and you can’t find them on the shelves of Walmart and Target, he says you would be surprised with how much the kids love them. 

"Every little kid that comes by my table at a craft show, has got to come by and spin the rotors," Kranitz said.

So while he is busy this holiday season, he gets to enjoy doing something he loves. He says it brings back memories for both him and his customers.

Interested in some of Chickory Wood Products? Click HERE.