"The Old-Fashioned Way!"
At the Toy Factory, we believe in the spirit and values of times some people today might call "old-fashioned". We believe toys should be simple, lots of fun, and last more than a few weeks.
Don't get us wrong. There is a place for fancy, plastic toys. But simple wooden toys allow youngsters to use their imagination, making "play" what it's all about, not the toys. Our Toy Factory wooden toys are individually handcrafted, using traditional toy-making methods. No plastic or metal parts found here! Toy Factory toys are made to be solid, with pegs and glue and clamps, and they're guaranteed to last a lifetime.
The Toy Factory was established in 1972 in Murray River, Prince Edward Island, by a grandfather who looked a lot like Santa Claus. It was actually Santa's brother, "Al". That's right, Al Claus. (We bet you didn't know Santa had a brother!) The toys Al made for his grandchildren were so wonderful, everyone said "You should open a store!" ... so he did.
In 1990, Al decided to retire - again! - and handed down his toy-making craft to Dan and Kathy Viau, who were already making wooden toys and kid-size furniture for their own young children. With the help of their in-house "research and development" team, and with advice and guidance from Al, the veteran toy-maker, Dan and Kathy gradually expanded the line of Toy Factory toys to include puzzles and games, larger toys like rocking horses and rocking airplanes, and unique and long-lasting toys and games imported from all over the world.
Since 1998, the Toy Factory has been located in the beautiful village of New Glasgow, Prince Edward Island. The workshop and store are housed in the second-oldest building in the village, built in 1848, and originally a carriage factory for making horse-drawn buggies and wagons. For most of the 20th century, it was a General Store, and it's history and handcrafting heritage make it the perfect home for the toy-making shop.
Visitors are welcome in the workshop at the Toy Factory. In fact, children are encouraged to "help" make a toy, if the shop isn't too busy! The store features lots of toys for play-testing, and staff who delight in getting down on the floor to play along with the kids.
The Toy Factory also features all kinds of puzzles, amazing Medieval and Fairy Tale Castles, awesome Pirate Ships and Forts, Doll Houses & Furniture, and Prince Edward Island's largest selection of Teddy Bears and stuffed animals. And, if you drop by in July or August, you can enjoy an ice cream cone too!
The Toy Factory motto is simple, and down to earth, just like our toys: It's OK if you don't buy anything, as long as you have fun while you're with us!