Zionsville Times Sentinel

Features

July 18, 2012

Earth Explorers celebrates 10 years in business

Earth Explorer Toys in Zionsville recently hit a milestone — 10 years in business in the heart of Zionsville.

“It’s hard to believe we’ve been making children and families happy here in Zionsville and beyond for 10 years,” says store Owner Terri Bracken. “We’re so proud to be a part of the Zionsville and greater Indianapolis community and I’m amazed and how we’ve come from just a bricks and mortar store to now having a vast presence online.”

Bracken said she bought the store 10 years ago from a science teacher that sold all kinds of gifts. When Bracken took over the store, she decided to offer specialty toys and changed the name from Earth Explorers to Earth Explorers Toys.

“There were a few toy store on Main Street throughout the years but they had all closed,” she said. “I am happy to say that I am still here after 10 years of being in business.”

Bracken said she tries to be a destination place that offers unique educational toys, offers classes, has great customer service and is just a fun place to be.

One hot item on the shelves right now is the LockerLookz line, which allows students to decorate their lockers with an array of accessories including magnetic wallpaper, shag rugs, magnetic clocks, pen holders and even chandeliers.

“They are hard to come by,” she said. “As of now, we are only one of two people in the Indianapolis area to carry it.”

The popular line hit the shelves last week and sold out last year.

Other back to school items Bracken has are back packs and lunch boxes.

One popular item that is still being sold is the pumpinator — a water balloon pump that fills up water balloons.

Bracken says she hopes her store will remain a destination location and be a place where people want to come in and have fun.

“We know our neighbors,” she said. “We are local and hope to continue to have a good reputation in the community. Thank you to everyone in the community for shopping with us and helping us remain a vibrant toy store for the past 10 years.”

Earth Explorer Toys is a locally owned toy store located at 27 E. Pine Street in downtown Zionsville. Earth Explorer Toys also offers an online store and ships across the country. Visit www.earthexplorertoys.com, Facebook.com/EarthExplorerToys or call 873-0200 for more information.

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