Bed-Stuy Toy Shop Shutters Brick-And-Mortar Location

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN -- A Bed-Stuy toy shop owned closed its brick-and-mortar location last weekend, owners announced.

Butterfly 7 shuttered the doors of its retail space on Malcolm X Boulevard near Bainsbridge on Sunday, owners said online. But toys, children's books and games will still be available on the Butterfly 7 website.

"It's Time to Close This Chapter and Start a New One," a Facebook announcement reads. "Thank you for welcoming us into the community and allowing us into your lives.

Rick Shorter, a former design director for Macy's and Ralph Lauren, launched the toy shop for children between the ages of two and 10 in 2013, according to a BKReader report.

“I worked my entire life in fashion and bringing things to people, and I saw the need to have this store,” Shorter told BKReader.

Butterfly 7 first opened as a consignment shop, but Shorter quickly transitioned to toys when he noticed an onslaught of desperate parents trying to find gifts for birthday parties, he told Black Enterprise.

Bed-Stuy parents took to Facebook to mourn the loss of a local business that was beloved by kids and parents alike.

"Thank you for being a great part of the community and keeping the kids busy," wrote Rachel Moog. "Good luck."

Patch was unable to reach Shorter for more information about why he decided to close the Malcolm X space.