When shoppers swing by Cherry Tree Lane Toys, they often say, “This isn’t just a store,” says owner Bekki Leon. They’re right.
Inside the Bridgeland shop, visitors find toy vehicles for cruising on the floor, cutouts in the walls for children to crawl through and pony walls so parents can keep an eye on their kids playing while they shop — all in the name of imaginative play and community building.
“Local, independent stores can be community,” says Bekki’s husband and shop co-owner, Ben. “That’s what we really wanted to foster. We had memories of that from when we were younger: walking home from school, you might pop in and not buy anything, but it was fun, and you knew the shopkeepers, and you were part of something.”
The couple established Cherry Tree Lane Toys in 2020 as an online business offering open-ended toys promoting play, imagination and creativity (toys that aren’t pre-programmed to play for you). They quickly realized that, to promote play, they needed a physical space. In 2023, they found their current home.
Today, Cherry Tree Lane’s storefront serves as more than just a toy shop; it’s a community hub. Its event space often hosts free activities, like crafts and games, and families can visit for storytime on Saturdays. And, of course, you’ll find imagination-building toys of all kinds, including pretend-play kits like wooden tea sets or a doctor’s kit, natural Play-Doh, stacking stones, and books.
“It’s about the magic of play and wanting to make sure that it’s accessible for everyone,” says Bekki.
905 1 Ave. N.E., 403-243-1993, cherrytreelane.ca, @cherrytreelanetoys