Lindsay is from Trinidad, Joel is Welsh and they met working together in London, moved to Bristol eight years ago and opened Toyville on North Street in 2016. It’s that kind of journey that’s so common amongst the business owners in Bedminster, a mix of backgrounds and experiences that shape this amazing community of traders.
When Lindsay and Joel moved to Bristol, they chose Bedminster through a recommendation from a friend and haven’t looked back. The two have seen the area evolve and developed strong loyalties with the area’s traders. Lindsay’s Bedminster favourite would have to be Clarks Pies, while Joel very proudly pointed to his Friendly Records t-shirt when asked the same question. For them, it was very clear that when the time came for the duo to open their new shop, there was no other option than the place they already called home.
The idea for Toyville came from an observation that South Bristol was missing a good quality toy store. The products that line the shelves have a certain timelessness to them, as if you know when you buy one that it will be cherished and passed down between siblings or even generations. The couple’s six-year-old son makes sure that new additions to the offering are thoroughly tested before hitting the shelves, so rest assured they’re 100% kid-approved.
Although the front windows are lined with toys, crafts and games for children, Toyville also carries a huge selection of board games for the big kids of the world, too. Carrying the tried and true classics and some of the more obscure, Lindsay and Joel are on hand to help guide anyone in their quest for the perfect board game.
Lindsay and Joel say that the best thing about doing business in Bedminster is being part of such an amazing community. Their customers have become friends and they appreciate the support they’ve received in the last three years.
With business booming, they recently decided to relocate to a bigger space, across the road at 9 North Street. Be sure to visit them as Toyville is open Monday-Saturday 10.00am-6.00pm and Sunday 12.00pm-4.00pm or you can shop online at www.toyvilleshop.co.uk. They’ll also be staying open late for North Street Nights on Thursday in December.