- by Anne Finlay-Stewart and Abbey Blokland

It's a  short walk across the street, and a huge leap for Melanie Middlebro', the new owner of The Rocking Horse, "Toys for thinking minds since 1977".

The question “why did you want to own a toy store?” seemed silly as soon as I asked it – who doesn't dream of owning a toy store? But although Melanie is clearly delighted with her new adventure, it is not her first.

She was a chiropractor for well over a decade before a car accident ended that career by permanently ruining her right arm. She has three busy boys – 8, 10 and 1l – and with her husband working at the Bruce, she was looking for self-employment with the flexibility to get them to sports and activities. When Dianne and Deb announced their retirement and the Rocking Horse came up for sale – the timing was right.

“And what a fun job!” Melanie grins.

Okay – maybe not perfect timing, given the pandemic. There have been some challenges, Melanie says. Who knew there would be a world-wide jigsaw shortage? – literally 100% of the major lines of puzzles were sold out. Products, particularly from the US, are still slow in coming.

Still, the Rocking Horse got creative. During the first shut-down, Rocking Horse paired with Sugar Dust Bakery to deliver home birthday parties – all the way from balloons to loot bags to birthday cake. Pandemic or no, the on-line store is the place to go to browse at a polite distance – order there and have your toys shipped or pick them up at the store.

The building at 856 2nd Ave. East has a long heritage in Owen Sound – it was first opened as Parker & Cattle Drugstore in 1856 and some who grew up in Owen Sound remember it as a video store or an arcade. In homage to the original Rocking Horse, the front counter with the wooden car grill and headlights, and the handpainted door to the back room have been reinstalled.

A favourite place for generations of Owen Sounders now, I asked our co-op student Abbey Blokland for some of her favourite Rocking Horse memories.

"When I was about six years old, I would walk into the Rocking Horse with my mom and I would always walk over to the 1 cent candies. I would use most of my change I earned from chores and spend it on those candies."

The candy is a little more than a penny now, but there are still some of your favourites are right up at the front.

Abbey - "At the back of the store there used to be a small table with chairs for children. I would sit at and play with whatever toy was at the table. Sometimes there would be Playmobile or other times there would be Lego."

The table is still there – a place to play while parents or siblings shop.

Melanie' s personal favourite area with her kids was the puppets, and it still makes her smile. The book section is growing, and there are lots of wooden toys for those looking for natural, durable choices. A new line of Green Toys made with recycled materials is on its way.

New games continue to arrive, and Melanie knows she has lots to learn about how to play and how to recommend for every age and interest. On the other side of Covid, there will be games nights again, and all the events like the Easter petting zoo that are Rocking Horse traditions.

Abbey - Another time when I was younger, there would be a big box of Playmobile magazines right in front of the door so you would see them when you were walking out. I always picked one up so I could circle which Playmobile sets I would ask for, for Christmas.

Melanie is expecting catalogues, including their own – perhaps in collaboration with their sister store in Kingston. There will be a birthday and Christmas registry too, so kids can post a “wish list” for their adults who might need some help picking out the perfect gift.
Melanie says if you don't see it in the store, she would be happy to order it in special for you.

And Melanie's own favourite part of the store right now? The retro toys. Stop in and look at the My Little Ponies, or the Fisher Price record player! Just for old times sake – nobody will see your grin behind your mask.