Parents of preschoolers are undoubtedly familiar with The Wiggles, Care Bears, Thomas the Tank Engine and Curious George, characters from TV shows, movies and books that have been spun off and licensed for toys, clothing, school supplies...you name it. What they might not know is that they can buy products based on all those characters and a lot more without ever leaving the house by shopping at Ty's Toy Box. Ty's is a Greater Cincinnati-based e-tailer that was the brainchild of CEO Ty Simpson. started with assistance from the Northern Kentucky E-Zone, which helped review business plans and investigate grant opportunities, Ty's now plans to add 21 full-time jobs and double the size of its location on Industrial Road in Florence, Ky. The expansion will happen with the help of a $420,000 grant from the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority. "The workforce, our current location and the transportation infrastructure in Northern Kentucky have been integral to our growth and this expansion," Simpson says. Ty’s also recently announced a merger with Denver-based All Aboard Toys, LLC, creating what he says is the largest online, independent toy destination for licensed character merchandise. The companies will maintain their established business operations but use the merger to further their growth. The TTB site is also home to a smart, informative blog from the "Toy Box Mommy" who weighs in on popular media, cartoons, kids and yes, sometimes about stuff you can buy in Ty's online store.
Writer: David Holthaus
Source: Ty Simpson, Ty's Toy Box
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