hopscotch rearranged!

I changed everything this week!! Okay, not everything, but a fair amount. I was down at hopscotch until the wee hours of the morning with my trusty drill and less trusty, but oh so effective skill saw building new displays, tearing out old displays and giving the old girl a face lift. Come down and check it out! I swapped the books and plush with the role play sections, expanded my educational section, and moved all of the product in arts and crafts and infant and toddler. I love the way all the Ugly dolls look in that wine barrel! I enjoy watching the way people respond when everything has been freshened. Usually they don't know exactly what has been done, but they are so much more excited about the space. It flows through like a breeze. Tangible.

Transformers Revenge of the Fallen

I admit, my testosterone levels are significantly lower than they should be for a true appreciation of the finer points of this "film". But I really have not felt so insulted by a movie in a long long time. I enjoyed the first Transformer movie. It does not have to be a monumental work of art for me to appreciate the pure escapist entertainment value of an action flick. Revenge of the Fallen followed such a contrived formula of shoot or blow up everything on the screen, place as many marketable pieces of merch as possible, hot girls doing ridiculous poses on motorcycles, and schmarmy pablum theme music that I think I would have been doubly offended if I was a man. The girls are amazing. Really, but you can get that in a calender. The plot was predictable which is fine for a children's movie, but the way they are selling this movie with violence, sex, and dry humping leads me to think the audience they are going for is older if not more sophisticated than the five year old set who would be awed by the plot and effects. Hasbro also has the GI Joe movie coming up which I was interested to see, but based on Revenge of the Fallen I think I'll pass. And now they are working on a Monopoly movie? Really?

Wanna Duel?....Poke'mon tournaments return!

Wanna duel? Soon these words will be heard all over hopscotch on Thursday afternoons. There will be no swords, no knights, just wild eyed youngsters flashing decks of Pokemon cards and speaking in a language that involves hit points, Pikachu, Squirtle, Energy, and many other terms that leave parents shaking their heads and happily checking them at the door. hopscotch has held Poke'mon tournaments in the past, and are very excited to be starting them up again for summer entertainment. Most parents know Poke'mon as the cartoon show, and the card packs that their children beg them to buy just so they can leave the precious things lying all over the floor. Those are the only negative aspects of this brilliantly sophisticated card game. In an era when young men crave the intense action that seems to be found only in video games, they are completely excited by Poke'mon. A card game that uses basic math and reading skills over and over and over. A game that allows 8 year olds to approach and interact with 12 year olds on an even playing field. A game that allows kids who are not athletically inclined to excel at something competitive. A game! A face to face game that demands interaction, the honing of interpersonal skills, and clever quips (smattered with a plethora of farting jokes).
When my son was younger and playing Poke'mon he made an interesting and rather compelling case that Poke'mon was a more sophisticated game of strategy than chess. As a mother to many (my own notwithstanding) I love Poke'mon tournaments because it gives these guys a place to hang out and get a little guidance from good solid adults besides their parents. They become quite attached to the process of getting mock scolded for the amount of soda they consume, and the need to trim their finger nails. The kids from some of my first Poke'mon matches have graduated from high school now, but they continue to come by the store and check in on me and proudly display their extra super big slurps (or lack thereof) proudly. I'm happy to see them, love them up a bit and send them on their way, but it's time for a new batch. Wanna duel?

the hopscotch and ASTRA story...

I jumped into this toy thing blind. I honestly loved McMinnville too much to let a great toy store close up. I knew NOTHING. But, I had been a conscientious consumer. I shopped specialty. I knew the name that would save me, I just didn't know that it would. That name was ASTRA. The American Specialty Toy Retailers Association. Every year I go to conference to get new ideas for improving my business and being a stronger positive force in my community. I just got back from this years St. Paul MN. Conference last night. I feel more inspired than ever. I was able to talk and listen to folks who have been in the industry for decades and generations. People who make toys, people who distribute toys, people who sell toys, and the wealth of their knowledge is invaluable to me. I have formed friendships that will last a lifetime. Every year I meet some new brilliant people who make me look at things anew. I found and ordered lots of exciting new toys, of course, those innovators just don't stop. I'll be sure to keep you posted as they roll in, but for now, I want to say watch for changes. Upgrades. Investments.... A regular blog ;-)