Richmond Area Business Association

STARGAZER GIFTS & TOYS DEVELOP UNIQUE SPECIALTY-TOY NICHE
By Larry Bohen

Stargazer Gifts & Toys offers one of the best selections of discovery, educational, engaging, and fun toys in the area. Recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing store-owner Laura Andrews-Lacaillade.

Larry: What would you like people to know about Stargazer Gifts & Toys?

Laura: I believe I have the best selection of quality children's toys, games, crafts and art supplies in the area. I pick the products and the vendors myself-with input from my customers. My customers and my children offer suggestions, and I slowly do my research on the product line. I don't have electronic games and such, which some of the children wish I did, but I prefer staying with educational toys, puzzles, games, outdoor items. I think the parents like my product lines also.

Larry: What do you find most challenging about operating Stargazer Gifts & Toys and how have you solved those challenges?

Laura: The most challenging thing about operating the store is getting the store name out there. I found word of mouth works the BEST! Customers telling their family and friends about the shop, and the quality products. Grandparents from out of state calling for birthday & Christmas presents saying their grandchildren enjoy coming into Stargazer Gifts & Toys and have sent a wish list of items they would like for their birthday or Christmas from the local toy store. I think that's very cool!

Larry: Tell me about some of the bestselling brands at Stargazer Gifts & Toys.

Laura: Some of the brands that I sell are:

• Melissa & Doug Educational Toys. I have a large selection of items from this company. These are toys that last and can be passed down from one child to the next. They are an excellent company to work with.

• Folkmanis Puppets - quality - realistic looking puppets, that both children and adults love. Award-winning puppets!! The schools and pre-school teachers are a large-client base for these items.

• Klutz - activity books, very popular with children of all ages.

• Board Games & Card Games - also award-winning items. Educational games to teach children while they are playing. It really works!

• Orange Art - Art supplies are what I am currently developing. Yes, this has taken me some time, but I have found the company and the saleswoman I like, to help me get started.  They have many, many different levels of supplies from children to adults. I finally have poster board and clay for all the school projects!!

Larry: When did you open Stargazer Gifts & Toys and what prompted you to do so?

Laura: I opened Stargazer Gifts in May 2005. My mother owned the shop before that. She wanted to retire and enjoy her cottage at Holland Pond, up in the Northeast Kingdom. I changed the name of the store and product line. I thought I would love to be part of the business community in Richmond. Having grown up here, I really wanted to bring something fun to the town. What's better than a children's toy store?!

Larry: So, tell me a bit about yourself. Where were you born, grew up, went to school, previous careers, interests, hobbies? Children? ...?

Laura: I grew up in Richmond, attended RES, CHMS, and MMU, worked at Bolton Valley (housekeeping), did seasonal work for a few years at Harrington's in Richmond. I loved the work at Harrington's and the people I worked with were awesome! I also have worked at U-Mall in a women's clothing store, Smith, Bell, & Thompson Insurance, in Burlington, for 12 years and the Waterbury Inn, where I worked with people who with many levels of mental health issues. I learned a lot from the people I cared for, loved them, and miss them very much.

I am married to Lonnie Lacaillade and we have two children, Kaylee,14 years of age, who will be going to MMU this fall, and Lance, seven years old and entering 1^st grade at Brewster Pierce.  We live in Huntington.

Larry: What would people be surprised to know about you?

Laura: Some people don't know I'd love to own a dirt race track and I love sprint-car racing. This sport takes me and my family to New York, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Canada.  We have met many wonderful people over the past three years. They have become part of my extended family. I enjoy my summers with them.

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Laura truly hopes that the residents of Huntington, Richmond, Hinesburg, Bolton, Jericho, and other surrounding areas enjoy her store and continue to support her "crazy idea" of having a toy store-a local business that offers creative and quality toys for their children and their grandchildren, alike.

Stargazer Gifts & Toys' Store Hours:

Tuesday - Thursday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

For more information, contact Laura at 802-434-7318 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .