Teacher Store in San Angelo, Texas is May’s Store of the Month!

Posted on May 16, 2018 by Corinne Marcot-Jones

Nestled in the charming city of San Angelo sits the one of a kind, Teacher Store. Offering educational resources, toys, games and a rich history, this store’s many specialties is why Blue Orange Games is so happy to make them May Store of the Month. Our sale representative, Louis had a blast visiting Teacher Store and loved the staffs enthusiasm and uniqueness.

Opened 33 years ago by former teachers, Manuel and Estella Santos, Teacher Store first function was teachers supplies and educations resources. Now run by their son Dominic, the store is filled with so much more, from those educational aids to toys and games. Although the store has a formal name of Angelo School & Teacher Supplies, the community collectively renamed the shop Teacher Store around 25 years ago! Don’t be fooled by the name though, Teacher Store is a treat for anyone who enters their doors. From grandparents, parents, kids, and even pen-fanatics looking for stationary accessories, this store has a little something for everyone!

While both Manual and Estella Santos have retired and move slightly away from the store, they always have the store on their mind. Although it was tough for the two entrepreneurs to walk away from their “baby” which is Teacher Store they left it in the very capable hands of their son, Dominic Santos, who I had the pleasure of interviewing. Dominic let us know that one of the games that he loves to bring home to the Santo’s family is Yamslam since they can enjoy playing together.

With over 33 years in the business I had to know what the secret to Teacher Store’s success was. Dominic stated that it was all about the customers and providing them with the best service they can. He exclaimed that “We will do absolutely anything for our customers, obviously we’re always looking for the best products, and that’s where Blue Orange comes in!” One of his favorite aspects of Blue Orange Games is the impeccable quality of each product. Offering such amazing products at Teacher Store means it’s hard to go wrong when picking out a new family favorite or gift. To celebrate their customers Teacher Store even hosts the occasional Game Day, where almost every game in the store is set out to play. While this day is a blast for customers, it’s also cherished by the employees since they get the chance to play games all day at their favorite stations.

As far as Blue Orange Games, Dominic’s must-have classic is Gobblet Gobbler. He loves how even though it’s a simple game the strategy component allows it to appeal to all ages. I was excited to hear that while Battlesheep has moved down to a secondary position in his love of Blue Orange Game, the top spot now belongs to Kingdomino. This 2017 Spiel de Jahre’s winner, is the perfect game to play with customers, after one try everyone wants to play again!

With Teacher Store finding home within a 112-year-old building, the place is filled with memories and stories galore. Dominic recounted the time a four-year-old had gotten separated from his mom within the store. While the entire store searched up, down and around the block for the young boy, he had tucked himself under a display and thus created a store wide game of hide-n-seek! In a surprise ending to our interview, Dominic also let me know that Teacher Store is rumored to be haunted. Numerous employees have claims of items getting moved around and other spooky occurrences such as creaking sounds throughout the night. Dominic assured me though that it’s all in playful fun and not a frightening presence whatsoever.

We want to thank Teacher Store for offering such amazing customer service and passion for Blue Orange products. This family owned Teacher Store is one of a kind, in more than a few ways! We are so lucky to call Teacher Store our May Store of the Month, and we encourage everyone to check out their website HERE or their shop at 310 N. Chardbourne St. San Angelo, TX 76903.

Congratulations!

Terra Toys in Austin, Texas is April’s Store of the Month!

Posted on April 18, 2018April 18, 2018 by Corinne Marcot-Jones

Located in Austin, Texas, one of the coolest cities in the US, Terra Toys is a toy store filled with unbelievable charm. It embodies the city’s eclectic style by offering something for everyone to enjoy. Our sales representative, François has given Terra Toys top acclaim for their extraordinary enthusiasm and pure love of Blue Orange Games and thus why we have picked them for our April Store.

Terra Toys opened its doors over 40 years ago, earning it the honor of being the oldest independent family owned toy store in Austin. That’s no small feat! In a booming town, where everyone is welcome to create and inspire, Terra Toys knows a thing or two about success. It started as a small ice cream shop that was popular in the summer for tourists and locals alike. Husband and wife dynamic duo, Charles and Romalda, tried to think of new ways to draw in business during the colder, winter season. Charles, who was a carpenter at the time, began building handmade wooden toys. Soon after, Terra Toys was born!

I had the pleasure to interview Corey, who is the head of the board games department at Terra Toys. Playing board games is an inherent passion that he’s always had, so working at Terra Toys has given him the chance to live his dream career. Getting to play around and introduce new games to shoppers is always a good time. At Terra Toys, the wonderful staff are knowledgeable and are always encouraged to pop open a game and give it a try. The staff at Terra Toys is genuinely passionate about fun and consistently takes their own initiative to learn all the new games.

The store may have all the trinkets, toys, and games your heart desires, but they offer so much more. Complete with a fully stocked espresso bar and art gallery, Terra Toys offers the chance to see impressive local paintings and photographs while sipping a creamy hot chocolate. All the art is family friendly and features whimsical characteristics that the whole family is bound to enjoy. Another bonus for the entire family is that while you’re shopping for toys and games, you can also explore their children’s shoe and clothing department. We all know that picking out new shoes can be a pain but being able to play with toys at the same time makes it just a bit easier to check off the to-do list. Terra Toys is truly tailored to the one-of-a-kind Austin community and as a landmark shop it has a soul unlike anything else.

Kingdomino_Pkg_Flat — 2017 Game of the Year!

We also wanted to know which Blue Orange Games must-haves at Terra Toys were. Corey told us that Kingdomino was an undefeated family favorite from the minute it launched. Though he also let us in on a secret…one game that he is currently obsessed with is Photosynthesis. While he was originally drawn to the watercolor inspired box art, Corey was even more impressed by the growth of the actual forest during gameplay. He loves that Blue Orange not only offers impressive kids games but also strategic board games for those who like a challenge.One special tradition at Terra Toys that really stands out is their amazing events. They just hosted a Fairy Tea party where kids of all ages are invited to make their own fairies out of flowers, pipe cleaners, and other kid friendly knick knacks. Terra Toys also is recognized for their Christmas in July celebration, when the shop is transformed into a winter wonderland and Santa makes a guest appearance! By always listening and catering to their customers, Terra Toys keeps the store fresh with new wonders for every visit.

We want to extend our sincere gratitude to Terra Toys for being so great! We love their enthusiasm for Blue Orange Games, and we are so happy to award them our April Store of the Month! Make sure to stop by Terra Toys at 2438 W Anderson Lane in Austin, Texas or check out their website at www.terratoys.com

Miss the Magic of Browsing for Toys as a Kid? Shop Small to Satisfy Your Nostalgia

Posted on March 22, 2018 by Corinne Marcot-Jones

Recently, Toys R Us announced it will be closing almost 800 retail stores across the country, a move that came months after the company filed for bankruptcy in September. In the wake of the announcement, Americans all over have expressed how upset they are about losing what many view as a major childhood rite of passage: perusing the aisles at your local Toys R Us in search of the perfect toy. In the hundreds of published reports that have covered the retailer’s decision, consumers are quoted as being sad the chain is closing its doors. Many of them express the same sentiment, stating they’re afraid that the children of today and the future are not going to have the same “magical” experiences if Toys R Us isn’t around.

But what if we told you the magic isn’t gone?

We promise it’s still here. In fact, it might even be down the street, or around the corner, or even a quick car ride away. You might have worked there as a teenager, or stopped in on a Wednesday afternoon after middle school got out, or even bought a last-minute birthday gift there before Carrie’s 8^th birthday party that your mom totally forgot was that day.

Figure it out yet? It’s your local neighborhood specialty toy store.

Castle Toys and Games in Beaver, PA. Check out all those Blue Orange games!

Maybe it’s next to the ice cream parlor, or across the street from the local library, or two doors down from your favorite donut shop- but its location doesn’t matter. What matters is that if you’re looking for that magical experience, this is the place to go. It also doesn’t matter if your child or niece or nephew needs a new gift or not, because these small local toy stores are about way more than just a purchase, they are about an experience. They feature carefully selected toys and games, and have well-trained staff who are often “experts” in most of the products in stock. Quite often you’ll find that a short trip to the store will turn into a one-on-one experience that is full of suggestions and demonstrations, all in the name of finding you the perfect toy or game to gift or take home.

These stores are the kind of places that hold weekly game nights, organize arts and craft sessions, and host birthday parties, building community and giving people a place to gather and bond. Some even sell books and hold reading sessions, giving eager readers a place to pick out their next favorite. You might be surprised at the activities and initiatives these little stores plan and participate in, so stop in and stay awhile to learn about all the cool stuff they do and offer.

Staff and customers at Dilly Dally Rogers in Arkansas playing Doodle Quest at an event.

Take a child there, and we promise their eyes will light up. Small stores are big on demos and “try before you buy” is a major part of their ethos. During a visit, dice can be rolled, blocks can be built, and plushies can be touched- all in the name of fun. Five minutes in a small toy store and it’s extremely likely that your Toys R Us nostalgia will be pushed to the side, making way for new memories and newfound nostalgia. We told you the magic isn’t gone!

Small toy stores are the original sources of that magic, and visiting them means you are participating in a tradition that spans decades and decades of shopping at specialty mom ‘n pop shops- what’s more magical than that?! We promise that feeling of walking down the aisles, looking at toys, and then picking a special stand-out is still there, because it’s always been there and it isn’t going away anytime soon.

Read me a story_Anacortes_WA — Blue Orange sales team member Xavier visiting Read Me a Story in Anacortes, WA.

Blue Orange sales team member Francois at Be Beep A Toy Shop in Columbia, SC.

Blue Orange sales team member Bart at Tiddlywinks in Orange, CA.

We at Blue Orange are major supporters of all our specialty retailers, and we hope you are too! If you’re looking for a toy and game store in your area that sells Blue Orange Games, make sure to check out our handy dandy store locator– it features shops full of quality products that are staffed with people who are awaiting the chance to give you an amazing experience. We won’t be mad if you stop in and don’t buy one of our games- just make sure to say hi from Blue Orange Games!

Launch Store Locator

Legacy Toys in Minnesota and North Dakota is March’s Store of the Month!

Posted on March 15, 2018 by Corinne Marcot-Jones

We are so excited to have Legacy Toys as our March Store(s) of the Month. With three locations around Minnesota and North Dakota, these shops are definitely leaving a huge legacy! The Blue Orange team got the chance to visit the Duluth location and loved how knowledgeable the staff was, as well as the passion they had for our games. In fact, after getting the chance to play the 2017 Spiel De Jahres winner, Kingdomino, with our Blue Orange interns, it quickly became a staff favorite. In addition to all the fun we had while visiting, this enthusiasm for Blue Orange Games is why we are so happy to reward Legacy Toys our Store of the Month award!

Brad and his wife opened their first store in 2012, wanting to bring fun to kids and families with their unique ideas. The first Legacy Toys was in Ely, Minnesota and was filled to the brim with toys, games, and plush figures that were perfect for igniting imagination. Brad and his wife have three daughters, so they wanted to help families like theirs appreciate quality time together without all the distractions of electronics. At Legacy Games, it’s always encouraged to think creatively, explore, and of course- PLAY!

The game section at their flagship store in Ely, MN. (photo credit: Legacy Toys website) — The game section at their flagship store in Ely, MN. Check out those Blue Orange games on the left! (photo credit: Legacy Toys website)

For the fantastic staff at Legacy Toys, playing games is taken very seriously, and Brad’s team always goes above and beyond as game experts. This is part of the Legacy Toys experience- customers always return because they know just how knowledgeable the staff is. Brad even started a rewards program just for his staff, so that when they can successfully teach someone how to play a new game they are rewarded points. With access to over 400+ games in the Legacy Toys demo library, everyone is free to bring games home and encouraged to pick out a quarterly favorite to show off to the customers. It’s clear that there’s no lack of passion from the staff, owner, or customers at Legacy Toys.

The team at Legacy Toys, Duluth receiving the Store of the Month award.

With three stores already open in the area, Legacy Toys has become a sought after adventure for many because of its remarkable decor. The third store in Fargo just opened in November, and it features a life-sized bison that entices locals and tourists alike. Additionally, every Legacy Toys is home to a giant, robot dinosaur- each has a distinct species to greet you inside! At the Ely store, you’ll be sure to find fun with their 500-gallon saltwater aquarium that’s filled with all the mysteries of the sea. Last, but surely not least, is the Duluth store. It not only has a full castle storefront entrance, so you can arrive like royalty, but it also has a rain forest set up with twenty-five foot palm trees and LED clouds to stimulate storms. At this location, kids love to ride the Plasma Car around the store or even sneak into the candy section for a sweet treat. If you can visit all three Legacy Toys, or even just one, you’re sure to have an experience like no other!

The dinosaur at Legacy Toys, Duluth! (Photo: Duluth News Tribune)

All the stores have events, such as bi-weekly game nights, where you can expect more than 100 people to stop by and play a few rounds with friends, both old and new. One of the crowd favorites is Dr. Eureka, since it’s so easy to join in on a game with kids of any age. This event is also an amazing opportunity to try before you buy and get familiar with all the new Blue Orange, like Pool Party or Mindo. Make sure to check out the Legacy Toy store website to see when the store closest to you is having an event!

We want to thank the Legacy Toys team for their enthusiasm for Blue Orange games, and for letting their passion for fun create magic in every store. To learn more about Legacy Toys, visit their website or stop by of their three locations:

1. Legacy Toys – Duluth

1600 Miller Trunk Hwy

Duluth, MN 55811

(218) 729-2627

2. Legacy Toys – Fargo

3902 13th Ave S.

Fargo, ND 58103

(701) 205-0085

3. Legacy Toys – Ely

5 N. Central Ave.

Ely, MN 55731

(218) 249-0263

Congratulations again to Legacy Toys!

Written by: Whitney Green

10 Games Perfect for Any Spring Basket

Posted on March 6, 2018December 16, 2020 by Corinne Marcot-Jones

While chocolate, candy, and anything bunny or chick related is usual basket fare, we have a few suggestions for some different ways to fill them up this year. Give your child something other than sugar, and pick up a game or two to add the gift of play to their basket. The best part about swapping out some of that candy for games? They are sure to be appreciated long after the chocolate bunnies and gummy eggs have been wolfed down. Plus, they give your kids something to channel all that sugary energy into! Check out some of our recommendations for colorful, fun games that would be great additions to any basket this spring; all of these are available in stores and online now on MyMomShops. Joanna Dreycott reviews these kinds of toys and good things for kids very well.

Ring It! Ages 5 and Up, 2-9 Players

Clap and ring your way to victory! Players continuously flip their cards until a combo is found. Be the first to find the combo, clap your hands and ring the bell. Hesitation may cost you 1st place, but if you act too quickly you may make a mistake and face a penalty! Get ready for chaotic clapping followed by lots of laughter!

Fastrack Mini Ages 5 and Up, 2 Players

This mini-version takes all of the fun of the original rapid-action shooting game, and packs it into a smaller design. The same high-quality materials and exciting game play are now perfect for on-the-go entertainment! Each side starts with 4 wooden disks and then players race to get all 8 disks on their opponent’s side by shooting them through the slot opening. Skill and luck mix in this action-packed game!

Tell Tale Ages 5 and Up, 1-8 Players

Discover the art of storytelling with Tell Tale. Be guided through your own unique tale with cards illustrated with a variety of characters, settings, objects and emotions. If a picture is worth a thousand words, imagine the possibilities with 120 inspiring images! Create your own storyboard or improvise a tale together; there are four ways to play! In this creative storytelling game, everybody is a winner.

Rally Up! Ages 6 and Up, 2-6 Players

What happens when 110 exotically illustrated cards are shuffled, distributed, and then rhythmically turned face-up on the table? Players will find themselves in a hullabaloo and will race to rally up 2 or more images belonging to the same family! Scan swiftly through the craziness to get these thingies back to where they belong!

Eye ‘N Seek Ages 6 and Up, 2-6 Players

Flip a card and then spin the wheel to find its matching icon in the windows. Make sure to pay attention and search quickly- it’s a race! Spot the match before your opponents to win the round and a point. 6 double-sided wheels, 100 icon cards, 3 levels, and 6 rules to play create challenging searching fun for all ages.

Go Go Gelato Ages 6 and Up, 2-4 Players

Using 4 cones, 3 scoops, 2 hands, and 1 challenge card fill your customers’ orders as quickly as you can! Pass the scoops back and forth between the cones, being careful to not touch or drop them. Work quickly to figure out the best way to satisfy your customer before your opponents do. Fill the order exactly like it looks on the card, or you’ll lose the race. A tasty and engaging dexterity race that’s fun for everyone!

Djubi Slingball Ages 6 and Up, 2 Players

It’s the ultimate game of catch that allows you to send the ball sailing over 100 feet! It relies on a unique launching system that creates maximum distance and maximum fun! The balls come with a rubber loop attached, allowing players to launch them from a hook on the racket frame. This version takes all the launching fun of the Djubi Classic and packs it into a lighter design that’s perfect for all ages.

Dice Stack Ages 7 and Up, 1-6 Players

Roll the tilted dice and stack them up in numerical order. Stop at any time while you are building your stack and win the sum of the values you stacked. Carefully place the dice and don’t let them fall, or you’ll lose it all! The drawstring bag and compact game pieces make this a great travel game. Play anywhere there’s a flat surface!

Fast Flip Ages 7 and Up, 2-8 Players

Get ready to scramble for the match in this crazy fruit salad! Match your fruits to a number, or numbers to a fruit; you don’t know what match you’ll have to find next! Whether you play with the tokens or with the cards alone, all players of any age will be fast flipping for this brain teasing match up. The game comes complete in a tin for your cards and tokens, making it an easy travel item. The magic distribution of fruits on the cards guaranties that there is always one correct answer. You just need to be the fastest to find it!

Rally Roll Ages 8 and Up, 2-6 Players

Roll the dice to rack up your points! On your turn, roll all the dice, scoring points based on the color of the big die. Then, decide to bank points won in that round, or take a chance and roll again! If no dice match the big colored die, forfeit all points won in that round. Take big risks with this fast and fun, take-anywhere dice game!

Our New 2018 Games: Blue Orange Team Members’ Picks

Posted on February 27, 2018February 28, 2018 by Corinne Marcot-Jones

Last week, the Blue Orange Team spent a whirlwind few days in New York City at New York Toy Fair launching our new 2018 collection. We presented to and played with everyone and anyone in the industry who stopped by our booth, and all of their positive feedback makes us incredibly excited for our games to hit stores this spring. Want to know which games the members of the Blue Orange team are most excited about after four straight days of playing? Take a look below!

Happy Bunny (Corinne, Marketing)

“I love Happy Bunny because of how adorable every part of the game is, from the artwork on the box to the realistic feeling of picking the carrots. It helps kids work on teamwork and counting, and the anticipation about what size the carrot you are going to pick will be makes it the perfect game for any three year old. As cooperative games are a new adventure for us, it was great to see that all of our retailers and industry friends loved this game as well.”

Where’s Mr. Wolf? (Xavier, Sales)

“Every time I presented Where’s Mr. Wolf?, people immediately loved the game because of the artwork and cool 3D barns that players sort tokens into. I like that it is a cooperative, so everyone works together to beat the game, and it is also self-contained, so you play the entire game inside the box.”

Clouds (Alice, Management)

“Clouds is my favorite out of this year’s collection because of the cute zippered pouch that makes it an easy game to take on the go. It also brings up the excitement and imagination that you get from cloud gazing, which I really like. As a mom, I’m always looking for easy ways to keep my kids entertained and they have loved this game since we received the original prototype!”

Who Did It? (Emile, Sales)

“I have the most fun presenting and playing Who Did It? because while the funny emoji poop pouch catches people’s attention, the card game itself is what keeps them laughing. Everyone I played with got a kick out of pinning the blame of being ‘the pooper” on other people’s pets, and when you are saying things like ‘It wasn’t my fish that pooped in the living room, but I think it was someone else’s hamster!’, it’s almost impossible to not laugh!”

Maki Stack (Adrien, Sales)

“I think Maki Stack is the most fun out of the entire 2018 collection. In the game, you’re racing to stack the sushi either blindfolded or using your fingers as chopsticks, while also playing in teams, so it has a lot of elements that are different that our other games. At Toy Fair, every person I presented to loved the wooden sushi pieces and asked to play another round during the demo, which is always a good thing!”

Pool Party (Kathryn, Marketing)

“My personal favorite out of our new games is Pool Party. It’s fast, addicting fun that’s impossible to stop playing, and I think our fans will like it because it’s easy enough for the whole family to enjoy together. The coolest part about the game is the pool- it sits on top of a spring and every time you launch a diver it sways back and forth. It will eventually toss all the divers out if it gets too full, so you are racing against your opponents and the balance of the pool at the same time.”

Mindo Zen (Louis-Paul, Sales)

“I like Mindo Zen, and the rest of the Mindo collection, because we don’t have many one player puzzles. It’s perfect for people looking for entertainment without competition, and it doesn’t take up much space. I actually keep one on my desk at work so I have something to do when my brain needs a break.”

Level Up Games in Minnesota is February’s Store of the Month!

Posted on February 14, 2018February 14, 2018 by Corinne Marcot-Jones

It’s a rare find to see a store so well suited for everyone these days, but Level Up Games in Minnesota has taken the gold medal. Our sale representative Florian has had the pleasure of working with Level Up Games over the past few years. He nominated the chain of stores because of their passion for Blue Orange Games and the vast knowledge that their employees posses. Stop in or even check out their website, because these stores are sure to provide some excitement for everyone, from toddlers to adults!

Level Up Games started from humble beginnings and opened its doors eight years ago in a little shop no larger than a bedroom. Owners, Tony and Tony, started by scouring the twin cities’ garage sales and local shops for cool, novelty items and unique games that their customers would want. With such a great response from the surrounding community, they were able to grow Level Up Games into a three-store paradise for fun seekers all over the area. Their main store in St. Paul is massive and has a dedicated area for every aspect of games, toys, magic, and more. The second store in Eagan is more family-oriented and features fun-sized tables that are stacked with games so kids can try them out. Kay, the chain’s purchaser, describes their Eagan store as charming and quaint. As it is located right across a school in a tight knit community, it has quickly become a town staple. This store even features an entire wall of cool Blue Orange Games!

Inside their South Saint Paul store- now that’s a lot of games!

Their passion for games is unlike any other, and is just one of the things that makes Level Up Games our pick for Store of the Month. Blue Orange got the opportunity to speak with Kay, who is not only the Level Up Games purchaser but is also an avid gamer herself. The current games on her radar are abstract strategy titles that keep her on her toes- games like Photosynthesis that leave the player wanting to play again and again. Additionally, every employee has their own niche and specialization, whether it be Warhammer 40,000, comic books, or board games. Kay even highlighted that every employee can show you a little magic trick while in the store. It’s this type of genuine passion that empowers Blue Orange Games to create for our retailers and customers!

20170401_141939(0) — Part of the Level Up Games team.

It’s no surprise that when we asked Kay about Level Up Games’ secret to success, she was proud to attribute it to their customer service. As such an integral part of the community, Level Up Games finds it easy to stay in touch with their customer’s needs, giving them just what they’re searching for every time they stop by. One of Kay’s favorite aspects about working at Level Up Games is the satisfaction that comes with recommending a new game to a customer. It always brings a smile to her face when someone comes back into the store and they are in love with their new board game or toy.

Kay’s can’t-live-without game is the Blue Orange classic, Niya. Not only does she love to play the quirky game with customers, but she always loves to take the fun out of the shop. She divulged to us that whenever she and her fiancé go out to dinner they like to play at least 3 rounds before their meal comes out. They enjoy Niya because no matter how many times they play, there’s always a new strategy and tactic need to win! For her, being able to play again and again without getting bored is what makes a game great.

Level Up Games’ gaming space at their South Saint Paul location.

With so many interesting games coming out, it can be difficult to stay up to date on the newest releases. That’s why Level Up Games hosts a plethora of events for gamers of every level and age, like Learn to Play which is on the 25^th of February. Level Up Games also has a weekly tradition of Monday being community game night. At these weekly events, everyone is welcome to their open game library or can bring their own game to play.

We invite you to visit their website or stop by one of their locations to see how awesome Level Up Games is in person. They go the extra mile for their customers, which is why we are honored to name them store of the month. Congratulations!

By: Whitney Green