Meet Candice Brown, owner of Candy Apple Toy Company

Why is she in the news?

At 28 years old, Candice Brown has done something most people spend their lives dreaming about – she started her own business.

This weekend, Brown opened the doors to the Candy Apply Toy Company. The Burnaby resident hopes the store will be a welcomed alternative to big box toy stores like Toys R Us, and she plans on carrying unconventional toys not often found on the shelves of mainstream stores.

“I also wanted a store that disconnected from the electronics. So back to traditional play – board games and education games, wooden toys, and things you can’t find mainstream. So I do have mainstream things, but also things that people come in and they’re like, ‘Oh that’s cool, I haven’t seen that before,’” she said, adding her family played a huge role in helping her turn her dream into a reality.

The NOW caught up with Brown before her big opening to find out more about the Heights’ shop and why she wanted to open a toy store.

Tell me about your toy store, Candy Apple Toy Company?

Well, I wanted to create a store that was different than Toys R Us. I wanted something people remembered. I remember watching Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium and I loved the idea of it being an experience, being more than just a toy store; having kids come in and watching wonder light up their eyes, and parents saying, ‘I have to bring my kids back here.’

I also wanted a store that disconnected from the electronics. So back to traditional play – board games and education games, wooden toys, and things you can’t find mainstream. So I do have mainstream things, but also things that people come in and they’re like, ‘Oh that’s cool, I haven’t seen that before.’

Describe the store, are there play areas for kids?

So I’m actually waiting to get my reading tree set up. It’s a custom-built tree that goes from floor to ceiling and in that area, it’s going to be a free-play area. So I have a train set set up, and I want to pull toys from my inventory so kids can try them out, sit down and play and have a good time at the store while the parents shop. On top of that I also offer free coffee so the parents can have something to sip while they’re walking around looking at stuff. I also have the free giftwrap, which I always love. A big feature at my store, which I personally like is the price you see, is the price you pay. The taxes are already included on the sticker price, so what you see, that’s exactly what you’re going to pay. There’s no hidden taxes that pop out at you. If it says $35 it’s $35; it’s not $35 plus tax, which I something I really like.

Why did you want to open a toy open?

I actually went to school for business and the funny thing is is when I was in school they would ask, ‘Who wants to open their own business?’ I always said, ‘No way, that’s so much work and so much commitment. I could never do that.’ And then I finished school and I started working in the human resources profession, and found that it was good, I really enjoyed it, but it wasn’t really fulfilling me, and I’ve had this idea for several years and then in August, everything in my life kind of lined up and I was like, ‘Ok I’m taking the plunge, I’m quitting my job, I’m going to go full force into,’ and I haven’t looked back yet.

If you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?

I’m 28. I turned 28 in September.

Wow, you’re pretty young. Do you have kids of your own?

No, I actually don’t. I have some nieces and nephews I always loved doing all the parent-stuff with, so I think this is a great way to interact with some kids and bring them some joy.

Have you talked to people about the store? What’s been their reaction?

It’s actually been really interesting. I’ve been getting a lot of shipments come in, and I have this one courier where, yesterday the store was finally set up and every time he would go to the truck and bring a box and then peek his head and try and look at the toys and be like, ‘Oh, this looks really interesting. You have some interesting stuff.’ So even during his professional life found that he wanted to actually walk around the store. Even my mom, she’s been a big help, she’s been helping set up the store, and she would open a box and it would be like Christmas to her. She’d be like, ‘Oh this is so cute,’ and ‘Oh, this is so cool,’ and so far it’s been like that with everyone so it’s really, really big encouragement.

So you’ve been to business school, what does success look like to you? What is your goal?

My goal down the road would be to have this location and open up another. I think it would be really great to branch out. I keep telling everyone – because some people are worried, they’re a little freaked out, and they say, ‘You could fail,’ and I tell them I’m young enough that if I fail I can bounce back, and I told them that even if it’s not a financial success, opening the doors is a huge success. Going from start to finish, getting it all done and doing it in such a short time frame is amazing, so I’m already counting myself as a success.

Do you live in Burnaby?

I do, yeah.

Is that why you chose to open the shop in Burnaby?

I actually was looking for locations. I left my job Aug. 12, and I’ve been looking for a location since then. Every location was in Burnaby, I knew I wanted to be in Burnaby. All the places in the different Burnaby areas, they just weren’t speaking to me, and then I found one, up Hastings a little bit, in the Heights area, and that one fell through, but I was lucky – my insurance guy actually said, ‘Hey, I know someone who’s leaving their lease, you should check out the space,’ and it was perfect. I saw him, and I was like, ‘This is the one I want.’ It wasn’t even for rent yet. I called the landlord, and I said, ‘I want this space, let’s figure it out.’ It’s a great, great location, a great community, and I’m near lots of families and kids. It’s just a really great place to be.

What’s once thing people should keep in mind when they come to your store?

I am definitely a big child at heart. I love the wonderment. I love the idea of being more than just a toy store. That’s our slogan – we’re more than just a toy store. I love having customers take the opportunity to ask me any questions or if they’re like, ‘I really like this product, have you thought about this?’ I’m open to any encouragement, any recommendations, that sort of stuff. Even ideas like, ‘Oh, you know what would make this a really great place for my kid is if you had this for him to play with,’ that type of thing. I love getting to know the community and making it important to them.

Of all the toys you carry in the store, what’s your favourite?

Oh my favourite toy, I have so many awesome toys. I’m walking around the store right now. … I love the Worry Eaters. They’re these little stuffed guys and they’ve got a zipper mouth, and they’re for kids, and what they do is they hold on to your worries for you. So you open his mouth and you either write down or draw your worry and put it inside him, and he’ll hold on to it so you don’t have to worry about it.

Oh my gosh, that’s cool.

Yeah. They’re these really soft funky-looking plush guys; they’re pretty awesome. … They have funky colours and funny names.

Anything else you wanted to say?

Come on down! Something else I like about the (store) is I have local artists. So I have my artwork that’s up on the walls is done by a local artist who lives in Kits, and she goes to craft fairs and that sort of thing, and what I’m working on is working with local charities and community partners to bring their product in so I can support the local business (community). Not just big suppliers. There’s this one supplier I’m working with right now to get her product in and they’re called Leather Monsters.

Leather Monsters?

Yeah, Leather Monsters, and she hand makes every one, and they’re adorable, and they’re super cute, and I want to support the local economy as well with the other people.

Anything else?

Well, I guess one more local person I’m working with to get some of their products in is Craft Works. They’re a really great not-for-profit. All their products are made by adults with disabilities, and then all the profits go back to the society to help out with all that.