Toronto mother starts company that sells toys for significantly less than retail price
Stacey Greenberg was working a corporate job when the pandemic hit but, within weeks, found herself laid off and looking for a new venture.
A mother of a toddler, Greenberg had previously taken issue with the amount of packaging and rampant consumerism that came with purchasing new children's toys.
“The amount of packaging around toys shocked me when [my daughter] was born — we got deliveries from Amazon and they would be a box in a box in a package and plastic-wrapped,” Greenberg told CTV News Toronto on Thursday. “The waste just kind of drove me wild.”
“I was also quite surprised at how quickly little kids go through things — either developmentally or just because they lose interest — my daughter has the attention span of a tsetse fly,” she said.
With newfound time on her hands, Greenberg said she wanted to revolutionize how parents could buy their children toys in Toronto.
So, in April, she launched Ode to Toy.
“Ode to Toy is a website where we sell preloved and new kids toys, books and sporting goods for up to 70 per cent off retail prices,” she said. “Everything is under $100 and ready for your kids to love.”
Greenberg says she tests all the toys, completes all the puzzles and lego sets to make sure pieces aren’t missing and sanitizes everything before it goes out.
Ode to Toy also features baby bundles, which include six to eight items, curated by age and developmental stage.
“I worked with an [early childhood educator] to do that and make sure everything's developmentally appropriate,” she said.
Based out of St. Clair Avenue West and Dufferin Street, Ode to Toy isn’t just a way to purchase childrens’ toys on the cheap — the company will also buy your preloved items for cashback, store credit or as a donation to a local charity.
“They can choose to donate their money to one of our charitable partners that we work with and, if they do, I will kick in an additional 10 per cent,” Greenberg said.
In the past, those donations have gone to organizations such as the Children’s Book Bank, Sistering and Birth Mark.
Since launching, Greenberg says she has seen a welcoming and positive reaction to her company.
“People really love the idea,” she said. “I think, as new parents who are money-starved and time-starved, this really checks off boxes.”
As for Greenberg, she is finding value in matching children with new-to-them toys and supporting her community.
“I really feel it's important that everybody has access to quality toys that don't break the bank [and] that make our kids happy,” she said.
“If I can do even a little bit to help families feel some joy, that brings me joy.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Ellen DeGeneres addresses the 'hurtful' end of her talk show in new stand-up set
Ellen DeGeneres is reflecting on how her talk show came to an end in her newest Netflix special, 'Ellen's Last Stand ... Up Tour.'
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
What to pack during an emergency
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.
Significant police presence as Israeli flag flies at Ottawa City Hall
The Israeli flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark the country's national day, with plans to hold a private ceremony to mark Israel's Independence Day. There is a significant police presence at City Hall, including security barriers outside the main doors.
Hot history: Tree rings show that last northern summer was the warmest since year 1
The broiling summer of 2023 was the hottest in the Northern Hemisphere in more than 2,000 years, a new study found.
Regulated area for invasive box tree moth expanded to parts of the Maritimes
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has added much of the Maritimes to a regulated area for an invasive species.