Wonder Toys: Not Your Average Toy Store

Outside Wonder Toys on Saint John Street, there's a sign counting down to Christmas, but the store owners say that for them, the holiday comes more than once a year.

“It’s like Christmas every time we get an order in," said Jody Carnaggio, who co-owns the store with her partner Scott Wallace.

One popular toy is a dinosaur that you can take apart and put back together.

Wallace, who is an award-winning plastic model maker, demonstrated it during Patch's recent visit. Wallace said he's always worked with his hands. He used to build plastic models for clients including the military, and at one time, he was a furniture maker. Before Wonder Toys opened in May, he owned Rampant Lion Artisan Gallery, which was in the same location as the toy store until closing in the spring.

Carnaggio, whose background includes work with preschoolers at two Kiddie Academies and as an educator at Fort Meade, said they wanted their store to feature toys that were “high quality” and “educational,” not necessarily items you would find in your average toy store.

The couple said that certain items have been extremely popular. For example, they've had to restock their supply of "No" buttons three times. The toy says the word "No" when someone pushes it. Mayor Wayne Dougherty purchased one on a visit last month, and there's a "No" button behind the counter at nearby Jana's Java. Wonder Toys hopes to have the buttons back in stock after Christmas.

Other popular items are puzzles, Ty toys and hands-on creations that challenge children to think.

"If they learn from it and grow," said Carnaggio, "then we’ve done our job.”

Wonder Toys is located at 311 Saint John St. in Havre de Grace. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 23 and Dec. 24. Call 410-939-4525 for more information.