For the past three years, Emily Guidroz has seen her boutique toy store in Willow Grove thrive despite the dramatic decline in traditional retail across the U.S., as Business Report details in its new Entrepreneur feature.
Guidroz knew she wanted to open a business after college, but rather than rush into a concept, she researched a number of markets and looked for voids to fill. It wasn’t until her daughter entered elementary school and started getting invitations on the “birthday party circuit” that Guidroz got the idea for a specialty toy store catering to busy parents.
Giggles focuses on making gift giving easier and providing convenience for parents through its unique call or text ahead gift service with curbside pickup and free gift wrapping.
“Service and creating a concierge shopping experience is at our core,” Guidroz says, “and we try to build everything around that.”
But the real secret to her early success, Guidroz says, has been the various ways in which Giggles has become integrated into the community, whether it be by hosting free neighborhood toy events with product demos or by giving back with donated gift baskets for fundraisers.
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