We are Happy Up. Resistance is Futile.
In 1981, Steve St. Pierre was attending college at the University of Texas. After 6 long years and as many majors, Steve just didn't know what he wanted to do as a career. In 1987, he took a part-time job at an eclectic toy store in Austin, when it suddenly became clear..."THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO DO!!!" So Steve moved back to his home town of Edwardsville, Illinois, and opened the first Once Upon A Toy.
With Steve at the helm, the enterprise grew to include two new stores. First came LagoonaMagoo in Fairview Heights, IL , followed by another LagoonaMagoo location at the St. Louis Mills Mall in 2003. The original Once Upon a Toy moved from its first location and into its current purple home on Highway 159 in Edwardsville. In early 2012, the St. Louis Mills LagoonaMagoo began looking for a new home and the location closed. We have eagle eyes out to find the best place to reopen the Missouri LagoonaMagoo Toys. Our Illinois stores are thriving and dish out the fun to all who enter their doors!
After many years of ruling his little toy empire, Steve was ready for a change in scenery. Shawntá Ray, a long-time employee of Once Upon a Toy, leapt at the opportunity to take the reins of the business. In 2006 she and her husband, Rick Harmon, purchased the business and gathered the three stores under the name of Happy Up Inc.
Rick and Shawntá became the proud parents of a bouncing baby boy in June of 2008. Rigby has established himself as the primary toy-tester and heir to the Happy Up kingdom. Rick and Shawntá have always been playful people-- with the addition of Rigby, they are looking at play from a completely new direction. And are reminded constantly how important it is to keep playing and exploring the world.
Because they are parents as well as business-owners, our fearless leaders make sure the Happy Up stores are offering the best toys in the world. Literally.
Many of our toys are imported and showcase the best toy companies on the planet. The Happy Up stores also feature a wide selection of toys made here in the US. There is also a growing focus on stocking products that are made from renewable resources or in a sustainable manner. These toys are Earth Friendly Playthings. And while most of our attention is directed at folks below voting age, we also stock a healthy dose of quirky, odd, and unusual items that appeal to grown-ups who forgot to grow up.
Playing is serious work. Toys are tools of the trade. Everyone at Happy Up Inc. is dedicated to the all-important goals of inspiring imaginations, launching laughter, and raising a ruckus.
It’s time to Happy Up, people. Now go find your giggle!
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