St. Pete’s only children’s toy shop Runrun Kids Store debuts this week

Runrun Kids Store opens Thursday August 24th at 3962 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg | Runrun Kids Store

It’s hard to believe that there are zero local toy stores for kids in St. Pete. But it’s true. We have an incredible children’s museum, fantastic playgrounds all over the city, and an adorable kid’s clothing boutique, but not one local children’s toy store. None. Nada. Zero. Zilch.

Until now.

Runrun Kids Store debuts this Thursday, August 24th, graduating from a kiosk on the St. Pete Pier to a spacious 1,300-square-foot, brick-and-mortar shop at 3962 Central Avenue. Jenna Malowany of KW Commercial represented Runrun in the lease transaction.

Owner Jess Garvin opened Runrun in November 2022, signing a one-year lease for the kiosk space, but told St. Pete Rising that she always aspired to open a larger, permanent location, especially because of the dearth of toy stores in downtown St. Petersburg.

Runrun Kids Store already stocks hard-to-find but high-quality toys such as streamers, beeswax crayons, small wooden vehicles, and magnetic play scenes | Runrun Kids Store

“I knew I wanted to start a kids’ store,” said Garvin, who also owns J. Tails, a St. Pete doggie daycare company, “because I couldn’t find one, and I was like, ‘Am I crazy? Is there not a market for this?’ We have one of the largest downtowns in the entire state of Florida and we have zero local toy stores here. After doing some research, I realized there is a big market for this.”

Garvin was also inspired to launch Runrun Kids Store because she feels kids need tactile experiences with toys whenever possible, so parents get a sense of what appeals to them, as opposed to ordering an item sight unseen from Amazon.com and hoping for the best.

Runrun Kids Store already stocks hard-to-find but high-quality toys such as streamers from Sarah’s Silks, beeswax crayons from eco-kids, small wooden vehicles from Jack Rabbit Creations, and magnetic play scenes from Floss and Rock. A full-fledged storefront will allow Garvin to carry more items from more brands.

“We’re making shopping a real adventure for our littles,” said Garvin. “Think big toys that’ll stick around for the long haul, like our brand-new Waldorf play arches. These buddies will grow right along with your kids. but she said toys will be available for sale online as well.”

Additionally, the new toy store will have a bead bar allowing kids to create their own custom necklaces and bracelets at the shop, or take the fun home with them.

“We will also be hosting craft workshops tailored to your kid’s age, so you know it’s gonna be a blast,” said Garvin. “We can’t wait to throw some seriously fun story times in our back nook for two and under. We also have a mini Halloween bash in the works!”

Runrun is following the playbook of another local retail success story, Lily Rose Jewelry Co., which also got its start on the St Pete Pier and now has a brick-and-mortar shop at 209 1st Street Northeast.

“They did the market circuit for a while, and then they got the spot on the Pier,” she said. “It was insanely successful.”

Runrun Kids Store is graduating from a kiosk on the St. Pete Pier to a spacious 1,300-square-foot, brick-and-mortar shop at 3962 Central Avenue | Runrun Kids Store

Everything sold at Runrun can also be purchased on its website. Customers can have orders shipped to their doorstep or pick them up in the shop.

The brick-and-mortar location will also help Garvin achieve her goal of setting up a semi-annual toy swap event to encourage the reuse of toys, helping parents of young children save money at a time of high inflation.

“We could have a whole re-sale section,” Garvin says, “because that’s the idea behind the types of toys we’re carrying. They should last a long time.”

Runrun’s kiosk on the St. Pete Pier closed in August in anticipation of the new brick-and-mortar shop, which opens Thursday, August 24th at 3962 Central Avenue. Be sure to visit Runrun Kids Store’s website and follow them on Instagram for the latest information and updates.