For Generations, this Local Toy Store Provides Fun and Happiness for Kids of All Ages in the Community
Family owned and operated, Whistle Stop Hobby and Toy is excited to celebrate our 50th anniversary and share it with the community in September this year. We are very thankful to all of our loyal patrons that have made the last 50 years possible. As part of the celebration, we want to say “thank you” to our customers and the community. To celebrate, all month long we will feature activities, giveaways, raffles, and discounts for kids of all ages while showcasing the magical place the family has been creating over the years. We encourage you all to stop in and join us in celebrating our 50 year anniversary and our excitement for the next 50, wonderful years.
About Whistle Stop Hobby & Toy
Kids and parents alike love visiting Whistle Stop as it is built for the children’s experience. With trains chugging along the ceiling and an interactive train table to play with, there is something fun for kids of all ages. If parents are not sure what to get, our knowledgeable staff at Whistle Stop give personal attention to each customer and help recommend an exciting toy or game. Many parents and grandparents consider Whistle Stop to be their “secret toy store”. When shopping for birthdays or holiday gifts, this is the place to go. “Parents and grandparents want to be the one that brings the best gift to the party. We have thousands of unique toys like Lego, crafts, imagination toys, dolls, and the largest puzzle and game selection locally,” said Julie. To top it all off, we offer free gift wrap year-round so you can pick up your gift on the way to the party.
From The Family
“You just can’t get the same experience anywhere else,” said Julie, one of the three Claggett children now managing the store. What made Whistle Stop successful over the years is also our passion, while bringing happiness and fun to kids of all ages. “Nothing compares to the look of joy that kids get when they walk in the store. We get just as excited when kids are coming in and saying, ‘Oh my gosh!’ with excitement.” stated Rick. Julie added, “We just love knowing that we can help make a child happy. One of the best things I have heard from a customer is that Whistle Stop is their child’s favorite place to visit.”
“We grew up here and the community is very supportive, especially since we are a small business.” Rick said, “Parents will come in with their children and say ‘I remember coming here when I was a kid and it’s still just as magical!’. Today we have customers that are the third or fourth generation that shop here.” With the whole family working at Whistle Stop Hobby and Toy for years, there is a plethora of knowledge that comes with it, making a better experience for shoppers. No matter the day, you can always find a family member at the store. “People know us,” Julie stated, “our customers are like family. When they come in we know them by name and will stop to talk with them. There is a big sense of community with lots of support locally. Most of the people that work here were kids when they first walked into the store, and when they got older, they came here for their first job.”
Whistle Stop History
As a true family business, the first few years saw the Claggett family pulling together to turn their dream into a reality. Richard was still working full-time and Carol, a young mom only 25 years old, would take care of the store during the day. “We started this business from nothing. It was tough when we first started,” said Carol, “but we made it work and did what we do best; bring happiness and fun!” Whistle Stop started in 1970 in a 2,000 square foot building on Harper Avenue in St. Clair Shores. As we grew, we moved 4 blocks away in 1984 to a 5,000 square foot store which we eventually expanded the building to 10,000 square feet in 1998 as you know it today. None of this would have been possible without the support and patronage of the community, which we are very grateful for. Whistle Stop has now grown to be the largest toy store in Michigan. Today, all three of Richard and Carol’s children, Rick, Wendy, and Julie, continue working in the store to carry on the family legacy.
Looking To The Future
Whistle Stop Hobby & Toy has thrived over the last 50 years because we treat customers like family, offer helpful and personal service, and provide a fun and happy place for the community. As we move toward the future, we want to embrace the reasons our existing patrons shop here and adapt as new generations discover the fun at Whistle Stop. As part of our commitment to all our customers, we are launching the new Whistle Stop Hobby & Toy brand. This brand symbolizes our mission to inspire kids, families, and adults of all ages to find fun and happiness in simple, yet limitless, toys, and hobbies. As a long-time staple of fun in the community, the new brand extends the Whistle Stop promise of excellence and personal customer service to current and future generations.
Whistle Stop Hobby and Toy has grown from a small, train hobby shop to being known for making playtime magical and offering much more than just thousands of unique toys. Kids and parents found this local, family-owned, small business to have a special place in their hearts from the happiness and joy it brings to families. The Claggett family at Whistle Stop Hobby and Toy, knowing the importance of playtime for children, are proud to have been a staple in the community for the last 50 years and look forward to the next 50. We thank you for your patronage and look forward to providing the community with fun and happiness for generations to come.