Toy Chest under new ownership in North Conway

The Toy Chest on Main Street in North Conway Village is under new ownership and is having a grand reopening on Sunday, July 22, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m."Simplicity the Clown" will be on hand, and there will be other activities, including face-painting, balloon-twisting, arts, crafts and raffles.The Toy Chest was purchased by Melanie and Daren Levitt from Jean and Forrest Simmons."Jean started the store 19 years ago as a clothing store called Kids Kloset and started to carry toys to complement the garments," Daren Levitt said. "Before she knew it, she was allocating more space for toys and less for clothing until she stopped carrying clothing entirely."He added, "Jean created an old-fashioned specialty toy store that carried toys and games that you used as a kid a well as new favorites. She did the work to set the business up, and now my wife Melanie and I plan to continue the Toy Chest tradition."Melanie Levitt is a graphic designer and artist, her influence in the store is obvious when you walk in the door. It is bright, colorful and cheery, not to mention packed with toys. The Levitts have never owned a retail store before and rely heavily on the experienced staff. "I cannot say enough about the people I work with," Daren Levitt said. "They are extremely knowledgeable about the products as well as the customers."By the way, Levitt said, Spunky the African Water Frog is 19 years old. And yes, he is very real.The Toy Chest is open every day this summer from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.