A charming new little toy store has opened its doors in Mumbles promising to offer long-lasting quality children's toys aimed at ages ten and under.
Tucked away in Castleton Walk Arcade, the tiny venture called Marbles of Mumbles is aimed at sparking kids' imagination with handpicked items. The little toy store adds to a thriving Castleton Walk Arcade, which already features a pet shop, cafe and butchery.
Mother-of-two, Susanne Roberts, started the project after finding it difficult to find an old-fashioned-style pull toy as a present for a friend's child, and saw a gap in the market for authentic, wood crafted toys. You can keep up to date with the latest Swansea news by signing up to the local newsletter here.
She was a teacher in her home country - the Netherlands - but wanted to take control of her own working hours and divert more time to her young family, Reece, 3 and Janna, 1, so, with the support of her partner, Richard, Marbles of Mumbles was born.
"It all started when I tried buying a present for a friend and their child, I struggled to find an authentic old wooden-style toy and thought If I had been having that issue, other parents would have too.
"Everything in the shop is chosen with the idea I would want my own children to play with it and they are sustainable long-lasting toys. Plastic dominates the market and there is too much of a practice of throwing away after we're finished using them. A lot of these items are like stepping back in time, back when kids' creativity and imagination was their main source of entertainment and these toys help that," said Susanne.
"A lot of plastic toys you tend to stand on them and they break, they aren't made for long-term in mind, wooden toys you stand on them and your foot breaks instead," joked Susanne.
The store may appear small but there is plenty within, with wooden sculptures, toys and puzzles, all capable of leading a child's imagination. There are even decorative, mounted animal heads that look perfect for a child's room. Many of the items also double up as decorative pieces. You can read more stories about Mumbles here.
"I had the idea for the shop for around six months and there wasn't anything really like this in Mumbles so it really inspired me to push on. The arcade is a wonderful home and people often overlook what they can find inside, I think most people would be surprised what they find," she added.
Full details surrounding the latest toys and additions to Marbles of Mumbles can be found here.
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