Toy Utopia In Red Bank: An Oasis of Creativity, Curiosity For Kids

RED BANK, NJ — At Toy Utopia, Bruce and Mira Brach are hoping to find their business utopia, filling a need for a personalized toy shop in Red Bank.

Located at 19 E. Front Street, Toy Utopia has been open for three months, and the couple is combining their interests in toy collecting and education to provide an out-of-the-ordinary experience for shoppers, Mira Brach said.

"I'm big on education and selective," Mira Brach said of choosing her toy and book collections.

And with school starting and the holidays coming, the store will be the perfect stop for a unique gift.

According to the store website, Bruce Brach is "a passionate collector of old toys, especially cars, trucks and matchboxes." So there are collectible lunchboxes and comics and toy cars at the store, for example.

After retiring from his landscaping business and looking for new opportunities, his wife encouraged him to follow his passion, the website says.

"Mira's background in education, research and nursing, and Bruce’s passion, business experience and great sense of humor" are all put into the mix for the store. The couple has two teenagers, Sophia and Steven, who also help their parents, the website bio says.

Toy Utopia, with its mascot Zubee, The Sweet Dragon, is described as a "magical and happy place" and Mira said it fills a need in town.

A native of Slovakia, Mira said she is bringing in many European brands for her toy and game products. She also encourages a relaxed atmosphere for customers.

"We have a reading nook, and a place to sit," she said.

The couple lives in Ocean County. In doing research for a new venture after their other careers, a store like Toy Utopia seemed to be the best fit. And Red Bank was the best fit for a location for the store.

"I've always liked Red Bank and I've been coming here for years," Mira Brach said.

And she is getting positive feedback that the store is filling a need in town.

Its downtown location offers the public another destination for shopping local, with an emphasis on items that are not mass-produced but are more unique for children or all ages that spark curiosity and creativity. For example, they offer brain puzzle games and writing paper, as well as toys and books, she said.

As the Toy Utopia website says, "Bruce and I are kids at heart, and with a good sense of humor, we are ready to start a new chapter in our life."