PEABODY — The North Shore Children’s Museum (NSCM) has partnered with 2 Donkeys Toy Shop to offer a one-of-a-kind toy store experience downtown.
The toy store offers a diverse range of educational games, toys, and activities, many of which are themed to match the museum’s 14 exhibits. Shoppers can also find NSCM-branded items, including baby bibs, hats, and tote bags.
“This is an exciting collaboration bringing a toy store to downtown Peabody for the first time, and hopefully encouraging more business at the museum as a result,” said NSCM Executive Director Ali Haydock. “It’s a win-win and we are very excited for the partnership. It is a true example of the efforts being made to make downtown more family-friendly.”
2 Donkeys, which is in Hamilton, is owned by Angela Arvanites.
“The North Shore Children’s Museum is a natural partner for 2 Donkeys, and it is exciting to have a presence in Peabody,” said Arvanites.
Her innovative approach to business aligns well with the museum’s emphasis on collaboration.
“Partnerships have been a cornerstone of the museum’s early success. We have involved dozens of community members, artists, for-profit sponsorships, volunteers from the community, local performers, municipal employees – the list goes on,” said Haydock. “It just makes sense to leverage the amazing resources in our community to make the museum as special as possible. Developing the gift shop with 2 Donkeys has been no different.”
Haydock said NSCM, which is at 10 Main St., was developed in large part to help revitalize downtown Peabody. Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt, Jr. envisioned the museum serving as an anchor to boost sales for nearby businesses.
“It is exciting to see a toy store open inside the museum,” Bettencourt said. “We are making strides to create a family-friendly atmosphere on Main Street and this partnership definitely bolsters that.”
Haydock said the toy store is open to the public.
“With several new businesses moving to Main Street in the next few months, the possibility of 2 Donkeys Toy Shop eventually taking up a storefront as a stand-alone business on Main Street is certainly on the table,” said Haydock. “In the meantime, the hope is for customers to visit 2 Donkeys inside the museum, even when they aren’t coming to play.”
Haydock said the partnership with 2 Donkeys is a “win-win-win” – the museum receives revenue to support operations, 2 Donkeys gets exposure and sales from museum visitors, and Main Street gains another family-friendly business.
Since opening, the museum has sold 12,240 tickets to residents of 130 different towns.
The 2 Donkeys Toy Shop at NSCM is open at the same time as the museum. The museum’s hours are from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m.-4 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays; and 12-4 p.m. on Sundays.
