Meet the New Owners of Kiddlestix Toy Store
When Jana Doyle heard that Kiddlestix, a longtime Tulsa toy store, was being sold, she knew something had to be done. Doyle was shopping around the store for a birthday gift when she overheard that the building was up for sale. “I called my husband Chuck from the parking lot, saying that we should buy it,” Doyle said.
The couple had been talking for years about opening a small business in Tulsa because of how supportive the city is of local businesses, and they knew then that this was their opportunity. It was one of those rare times in life when everything fell into place perfectly, and they now officially have taken over as the owners of Kiddlestix.
Sue and Mike Burdock opened Kiddlestix 28 years ago, and it has long offered an alternative to the big-box toy stores. The Burdocks are known for stocking a wide array of unique, high quality toys and gifts for children of all ages, while focusing on impeccable customer service, including complimetary gift wrapping. The store staff can help customers find a toy that is developmentally appropriate for any child.
“We work really closely with the toy vendors, and they let us know what new lines are coming out and which toys are really going to work well,” Sue explained. In addition to the latest toys on the market, they also carry classics such as pick-up sticks, wooden stilts, and Rubik’s cubes. Customers find a well-edited selection of toys, games, crafts and educational products that support learning through play.
This variety makes the store popular with its customers and keeps them coming in, even after their children grow up. “We have multiple generations that come in because this is where their parents took them for toys, and they want the same for their kids.” The Burdocks have made Kiddlestix a place that people want to return to when they have children because of the products and the service, and the Doyles plan to continue the tradition.
The Doyle’s own children love the store too, even though Clara, 5, and Charlie, 2, don’t quite understand that their parents are now toy store owners. They love going to work with their parents and treat the store like home. “Charlie runs straight to the car section every time we come in;he even wants to have his birthday party here,” Jana said.
Though they don’t do parties yet, there is always the chance for expansion and improvement. But other than that there are no major changes in the works, because why mess with something that works so well?
As Jana puts it, “We just want to continue what Sue and Mike started and make them proud.”
