The Toy Moon, closed for 10 days after its owner died in a car-bicycle accident, has reopened with a new operator.
The new general manager of the Toy Moon said there's been an outpouring of support for employees and the business after one of its owners died in a bicycle accident earlier this month.
"The community has really been supportive," said Beth DeYoung, new operator of the toy store at 619 Mass. "A lot of people have been very inquisitive about what's going to happen to the store."
Mike Cnossen, who operated the store for more than four years, died Sept. 9 when he was struck by a car while cycling near Topeka.
The business closed for 10 days following the accident, but reopened Monday.
"The staff here and his wife have been overwhelmed by the support," DeYoung said.
"A lot of people left flowers and cards and banners in front of the store while it was closed," she said. "He built a great base for us to work from, and we really want to continue on what he started."
DeYoung, who worked at the store for three years, had left Lawrence about five weeks ago for an internship at a nursing home in California, as part of completing her degree in education at Kansas University.
But following Cnossen's accident, his wife, Alice, asked DeYoung to return and run the store for her.
"We trust Beth and she knows it better than anyone," Alice Cnossen said. "She's really good with people. She was kind of like a daughter to Mike."
DeYoung said many customers already have returned to pick out their favorite toys.
The store sells a variety of toys and games for all ages.
"I was glad they were open," said Beth Romano of Lawrence, a customer who was in the store on Tuesday. "It's a great toy store."
A paper banner that a group of children made and left in front of the store while it was closed is now taped to a wall behind the counter.
The store's hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
-- Michael Dekker's phone message number is 832-7187. His e-mail address is mdekker@ljworld.com.
No comments
Commenting is turned off for this story.