Business

CUSTOMERS KEEP TOYS UNIQUE’S FUTURE ‘LITE BRIGHT’

Owner marks 40 years of puzzles, stuffed animals, ponies, books

By John Erickson

People Newspapers

When your toy store is 40 years old, you might not be expected to remember the first toy you ever sold.

But Pam May remembers hers.

“I don’t remember what the most popular toy was, but I will tell you I was 25 years old,” the owner of Toys Unique in Inwood Village said. “And my first toy that I ever sold was a puzzle, and it was a Melissa and Doug puzzle.”

Ironically, May said her favorite toy growing up was not one she ever owned.

And my passion is the customers, and my staff, and buying the toys that I know that they would love. Pam May

“My favorite toy as a child was the Lite Bright — but I didn’t own one,” she said. “The girl down the street did, and I always wanted to play with hers.”

May said she came into the toy business by marriage to her husband, Dean.

“My husband bought a failing toy store down in Houston, and then he bought the sister store in Arlington. And then I came along and married him,” she said. “And guess what I got to do? I got to run a toy store. Those were our very first two toy stores 40 years ago. TOP: Pam May (right) explained the toy business to fifth-grade journalist John Erickson (left). (PHOTO: BETHANY ERICKSON)

BOTTOM: The inventory at Toys Unique is the result of 40 years getting to know the store’s customers and what

they want. (PHOTO: JOHN ERICKSON)

The Mays expanded from there and, at one point, had a 12,000-square-foot warehouse in Richardson and even more stores. But eventually, they decided to have one store.

“It got to be where it was more of a job having so many locations as opposed to a passion,” she said. “And my passion is the customers, and my staff, and buying the toys that I know that they would love.”

So now they have one very busy location and a passion for bringing fun toys to customers.

“My favorite thing about having a toy store is my customers,” May said. “Without my customers, I wouldn’t have a toy store, and this community, especially this neighborhood, has been overwhelmingly supportive, especially through COVID last year and onward, and I can not do enough for them.”

May said that her years of experience have helped her decide what kind of toys to offer, and frequently customers will come to her with great suggestions, too.

“After doing this for so many years, I have learned to know my customer, and I think that’s the key to any successful business, no matter what you’re selling — no matter whether it’s computer software, whether it’s clothing, whether it’s toys, you have to know your customer, and you have to know what they want and what they’re looking for,” she said.

“After so many years, I think I might’ve figured that out, but that’s not to say I don’t make mistakes.”

John Erickson, the son of digital editor Bethany Erickson, is a fifth-grader at Chapel Hill Preparatory in Dallas.

AVAILABLE AT AMAZON & BARNES & NOBLE

AN ALEX SHERIDAN THRILLER SERIES BY ELIZABETH JEFFETT

Elizabeth is Available For Guest Speaking Events and Book Signings

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AVAILABLE AT AMAZON & BARNES & NOBLE

COMING

Coupes Champagne Bar

4242 Oak Lawn

The champagne-driven bar coming to the Shops of Highland Park in late 2021 also will feature wine, craft cocktails, small plates and desserts.

NOW OPEN

Pressed Juicery

Preston Royal Village

The cold-pressed juice, smoothie, and soft serve spot belongs to a brand with more than 75 stores in the U.S., according to pressedjuicery.com.

MOVED

Logos Bookstore

Snider Plaza

The longtime Snider Plaza Christian bookstore moved to another location in the plaza — near Gemma Collection — this summer. The store originally opened in 1974. For more Snider Plaza updates, see pg. 4.

GONE

Barnes & Noble

Preston Royal Village

The bookstore chain’s location at 5959 Royal Lane closed in June after reportedly 15 years there. The nearest location is at 7700 W. Northwest Highway, Suite 300.

Yumilicious

Snider Plaza

The frozen yogurt shop offers 14 flavors of frozen yogurt, as well as boba teas, fruit slushies, and bubble waffles.

Wild About Harry’s

4527 Travis Street

The longtime frozen custard and gourmet hot dog eatery closed in July after 25 years serving the Knox-Henderson area.

COUPES CHAMPAGNE BAR (PHOTO: COEVAL STUDIO)

BARNES & NOBLE (PHOTO: RACHEL SNYDER)

YUMILICIOUS (PHOTO: RACHEL SNYDER) WILD ABOUT HARRY’S (PHOTO: KERSTEN RETTIG)

The Laughs Are Back! Improv fans to open theater at former Dallas Comedy House location

By Maddie Spera

people newspapers

When Dallas Comedy House closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, tears were shed, hearts were broken, and nothing seemed all that funny anymore.

Ian and Rosie Caruth aim to fix that.

The couple has claimed the Deep Ellum location as their own and plans to reopen it as the Dallas Comedy Club on Sep. 1. The festival-like Labor Day weekend grand opening will feature talent from across the country, games, events, prizes, workshops, and shows.

The club will have several classrooms, two theaters, and cosmetic upgrades to the restaurant and bar areas. It will offer classes and performances of standup comedy, sketch comedy, improv, and storytelling.

“We know there’s a thirst for comedy in Dallas, and we want to provide a home for it,” Rosie said.

Ian added, “It’s one of my favorite art forms, and we just could not stomach the idea that improv and sketch comedy would just go away.”

The Caruths got involved in sketch comedy and improv about 19 years ago. They have taken classes and performed at various establishments in other states, such as California, Arizona, and New York.

After moving to Dallas, they sought a

Outside of Dallas Comedy Club location. HEADSHOTS: Ian and Rosie Caruth, founders and owners of the

new Dallas Comedy Club. (COURTESY PHOTOS)

club community where they could meet people and take classes.

We know there’s a thirst for comedy in Dallas, and we want to provide a home for it. Rosie Caruth

“We did take classes and perform at DCH for about two years,” Rosie said. “But then the pandemic hit, so we just got a little taste.”

That taste wasn’t enough, so they began talking about opening a theater.

They also plan to make DCC entertainment available to comedy-lovers at home. The Caruths are working on virtual performances and classes and hope to expose the outside world to the theater.

“I think people are becoming more open to comedy and understanding that it’s so needed, therapeutic, and cathartic, especially coming out of the pandemic,” Rosie said. “This is just a really good time for comedy. It’s also a great date night and a great way to meet people and feel like you’re part of the Dallas community.”