Playful shop to entertain children

LIKE a jack-in-the-box, a new business has popped up in Ballan aimed at bringing joy to families and kids.

A self-proclaimed toy lover, Montanah’s Playroom Toy Shop owner Joanne Toulmin is realising her dream of having a bricks-and-mortar site to sell classic children’s entertainment items.

With everything from giving boxes to books, pretend household items and an eye-catching doll’s house at the store’s frontage, Ms Toulmin said the venture is a long-held goal of hers.

“I’ve always wanted to own a toy shop,” she said. “Now, the kids are grown up and off my hands so I’m able to do so.

“I do love it. The toys are mainly French brands and I’ve been really specific about what I buy.

“Hopefully, as this goes on, the more I can source suppliers with different stuff so it’s not the same thing all the time.”

Prior to the store, Ms Toulmin sold toys to Ballarat schools about 15 years ago when the store’s namesake, her daughter Montanah, was younger.

“I did it back in the day when there was no social media and it worked as a party plan and selling to a lot of kindergartens,” she said.

“I’d go around to kinders and then parents would want them too. I didn’t have a shop back then but it was called the same thing, Montanah’s Playroom.”

The shop is located at 124 Inglis Street, and Ms Toulmin’s daughter regularly assists her two days a week with running the business.

Ms Toulmin was inspired by her granddaughter to rekindle her love of toys with a shop of her own.

“She brought me back into that world,” she said. “She’s three-and-a-half now and I got back into toys for her.

“People have been lovely and the feedback we’ve been getting is fantastic.

“I’m from Ballarat and I’ve felt there’s a bit of a gap in this sort of market. I want this to become a bit of a destination shop.”

Opening hours are 9.30am to 3.30pm Mondays to Fridays and 9.30am to 2pm Saturdays and Sundays.