Mastermind Toys, Canada’s largest speciality toy retailer, has opened its 50th store in Canada in Peterborough and the first in the Kawarthas region.
The 4,715-square-foot freestanding store is located at 995 Lansdowne Street West (on the southwest corner of Lansdowne and The Parkway) and is now open for business.
Grand opening celebrations will be held from Thursday, May 4th to Sunday, May 7th and will feature special discounts, in-store promotions, loot bags, treats, and a visit from a Hatchimal.
“Mastermind’s 50th store is monumental for the company,” says Jon Levy, Chief Toy Merchant and CEO and Co-Founder of Mastermind Toys. “Our team is very excited to finally bring the Mastermind Toys shopping experience to Peterborough and to toy lovers in the Kawarthas and surrounding areas.
“We look forward to connecting with customers in this vibrant community and providing them with a fun and convenient destination to access the best specialty toys and children’s books.”
Mastermind Toys was started in 1984 as a small computer store in north Toronto by brothers Andy and Jon Levy, who wanted to offer shoppers a classic toy store experience. It’s now Canada’s largest retailer of specialty toy and children’s books, with locations across five provinces and further expansion plans in the works.
The store offers over 10,000 items in store and online at www.mastermindtoys.com, including leading toy brands such as Hansa, Our Generation Dolls, LEGO, PLAYMOBIL, Meccano, ALEX, Creativity for Kids, and Snap Circuits. The store also sells puzzles, games, and more than 4,000 children’s books.
The store’s hours of operation are 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
The arrival of Mastermind Toys in Peterborough has not been without controversy. After Peterborough City Council rezoned the property in 2015 to allow the store to be built there, local lawyer Ann Farquharson appealed the decision to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).
Farquharson argued that rezoning the location for a toy store was not appropriate and that it would have a negative impact on downtown Peterborough.
In June 2016, the OMB rejected the appeal and upheld the city’s decision clearing the way for the chain to open the Peterborough store.
