MacDonnell said staff worked hard to provide the best possible experience for her customers, in the hopes they'd feel a sense of fun, magic and happiness when they walked in. 'But if they were pointed out, we listened.'

She recalled, for instance, making the conscious decision not to stock certain toys made by German company Playmobil that featured either guns or early Indigenous cultures. MacDonnell said they were careful to ensure all children felt welcome in the store. Tiggy Winkle's shelves were often lined with old favourites: puzzles, wooden train sets, racecars, dolls and stackable blocks. While the store did follow trends in the toy world, Mrs. Tiggy Winkle's flagship store in the Glebe. 'I've been hooked because of the response from the people who have chosen to work here,' she said. Tiggy Winkle's since first walking inside as wide-eyed children. Over the past four decades, cover letters that have passed before MacDonnell's eyes often repeat the same sentiment: that people have had dreams of working at Mrs. She has four children who, at various times in their lives, have also all worked for the toy store chain. From toy shops to vinyl stores, these small businesses are at a crossroads.Tiggy Winkle's closing after 43 years in Ottawa 'I don't think I really ever imagined my life without the store,' Eira MacDonnell, the chain's general manager, told All In A Day on Friday. Tiggy Winkle's will close the doors of its last remaining shop this March and put its playthings away one final time. It's the end of an era for a chain of Ottawa toy stores long known for bringing the hottest trends, old favourites and big smiles to local children.Īfter more than 40 years in business, Mrs.

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