MarionMade!: Lulu's toy store in downtown Marion delights shoppers

Special to the Marion Star
·3 min read

Each week, this series shares MarionMade! stories of our many wonderful people, places, products and programs in the greater Marion community. To read more positive stories of Marion, or to share some of your own, visit us at marionmade.org or on social media.

Lindsey Henry, a former kindergarten teacher, turned her idea for a toy store into a reality in just a few short months. The name Lulu's Toy Co. combines her nickname, Lindsey Lu, and her husband, Luke Henry’s nickname, Lou.
Lindsey Henry, a former kindergarten teacher, turned her idea for a toy store into a reality in just a few short months. The name Lulu's Toy Co. combines her nickname, Lindsey Lu, and her husband, Luke Henry’s nickname, Lou.

Just in time for holiday shopping, a new toy store has opened in downtown Marion. Lindsey Henry, a former kindergarten teacher, owns LuLu’s Toy Co at 196 W. Center St.

“I love kids, I love creative play, and I love helping parents and grandparents select unique toys that are quality, durable, and not available in big-box stores!” Lindsey exclaimed. “I am so excited to bring a specialty toy store to downtown Marion!”

Henry grew up in Marion and graduated from River Valley High School. She studied early childhood education at Ohio Northern University. She taught at Marion City Schools until starting a family in 2010.

“Being a teacher and a mom, I am excited to help parents and grandparents select age-appropriate toys, games, and puzzles that are not only entertaining, but also help with development of your child’s mind and body,” Lindsey said.

Lindsey and her husband of 17 years, Luke Henry, own many businesses. Lindsey stepped in to manage Topped Ice Cream and Eatery in March 2020.

“It was the end of July that I made my final decision. In the second week of August, we officially became LuLu’s Toy Co,” Lindsey said. “We opened Nov. 4. It’s been something that I always wanted to do.”

Lindsey Henry welcomes shoppers of all ages to Lulu's Toy Co. She wants to help parents and grandparents select age-appropriate toys. She stocks science kits, crafts, books and more.
Lindsey Henry welcomes shoppers of all ages to Lulu's Toy Co. She wants to help parents and grandparents select age-appropriate toys. She stocks science kits, crafts, books and more.

Lindsey credits the support of her family, mentor Cathi Hall, and the community for a strong start.

“The response from customers just warms my heart. They keep saying things like, ‘You’ve finally opened a toy store! We have needed one for so long. I wish they had a toy store when my kids were small,’” Lindsey said.

They’ve already had repeat customers.

“I like the dolls, the finger puppets, all the books, and the chance to build things with my imagination,” said Ashleigh Septer, age 8.

“I love this store,” said Alison Septer of Marion. “I’m glad we’re getting more stores in Marion. There are more places for kids to go.”

“It’s exciting to see the traffic that it’s gotten. It’s one more reason to get people to come downtown. Then they go shop at Spruce and Sparrow or another shop and grab a meal downtown. We have to have something for everyone downtown,” Lindsey said. “The response from our local community is just tremendous. It has exceeded my expectations. I didn’t know what to expect. It’s gratifying. I feel like I’ve made the right decision and I have the support of the Marion community.”

Lindsey finds our small, close-knit community to be one of Marion’s strengths.

“The Marion community is unique. We’re all about hometown. We’re not a big city. The people here have been born and raised here, they are raising their families here. They care about downtown,” Lindsey said.

Eight-year-old Ashleigh Septer enjoyed Lulu's Toy Co., including the book nook and different building toys. Her mother was excited to have the new store in downtown Marion
Eight-year-old Ashleigh Septer enjoyed Lulu's Toy Co., including the book nook and different building toys. Her mother was excited to have the new store in downtown Marion

She feels Marion has a bright future.

“I opened Nov. 4. Another business opened in downtown on Nov. 11. That is two businesses on two back-to-back Fridays. That speaks volumes to the direction that we are headed,” Lindsey said.

The name came from Lindsey’s childhood nickname, Lindsey Lu, and a nickname for her husband, “Lou Kenry.”

“It’s the first one of our businesses to have our name in the title,” Lindsey said. “It just felt right.”

A friend drew the logo from her children’s favorite toys in their favorite sports.

LuLu’s is open from Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Customers can follow them on Facebook and Instagram. The public is invited to the official ribbon-cutting with the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 4:30 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: MarionMade!: Lulu's toy store in downtown Marion delights shoppers