Courtney Ebner and Avi Kravitz—the Brooklyn couple who own and operate the toy store Norman & Jules in Park Slope—know a little something about infusing a sense of history and heirloom-style magic into objects of play. The shop, named for both of their grandfathers, is simply brimming with toys that are sturdy and durable as well as intricate and precious. And, of course, there’s the fact that one of the store’s founding principles is to sell products that are loved, learned from, and hopefully passed along to the next generation of curious children.
Everything about Ebner and Kravitz’s whimsical toy emporium underscores the importance of meaningful objects and creative memory making. “We’ve always been drawn to anything that’s crafted in a way that’s both aesthetically pleasing and with great purpose to it,” Kravitz explains while recounting their dream of co-owning a shop.
For almost as long as they’ve known each other, Ebner and Kravitz have nurtured the notion of opening a store together. Originally from New Jersey and a suburb of the city respectively, they’ve been in Brooklyn for over a decade and have come to love the independent and creative yet family-friendly nature of Park Slope. Once they decided to open a toy store, the creative couple felt that the tight-knit area was the perfect locale.
“We love Park Slope,” says Kravitz, a former art director. “This has been a stage for us… It provides us with a venue to hold court.” Ebner, who formerly worked in apparel marketing, adds that there’s an immense amount of talent and interest in the neighborhood. Not only is Park Slope home to a wealth of families looking for a range of unique toys, but it also provides the shop with a deep pool of local toymakers, artists, and inspiration.
And there is certainly no shortage of inspired aesthetics in the cozy shop. From wooden Cubebots perched on the counters to the menagerie of multi-hued stuffed animals and dolls lining the shelves, it’s a holy grail for parents who want something their little ones can play with that won’t break, fall out of fashion, or clutter the apartment with garish plastic parts. “Our customers live in small spaces,” says Ebner, who has a 2-year-old daughter with Kravitz. “They’re sick of seeing the plastic, hearing the noises. What we have here fits into their homes nicely.”
Beyond the latest in visually pleasing playthings, Norman & Jules has an aura of thoughtfulness that comes from the care that Ebner and Kravitz put into researching brands and vendors. “It’s been a lot of fun to discover hidden talents, both in the U.S. and abroad,” Ebner explains. The pair gathers inventory from all over the globe—be it hand-carved wonders from Lithuania or wooden figurines from Japan.
The duo excitedly points out pieces that both delight consumers and give back to the world around them. There are the upcycled hand puppets by Cate & Levi, crafted from reused materials to benefit charities for children in need. Or there are magnetic wooden blocks from Tegu, a company that works with Honduran cooperatives and plants a tree for each item sold. Not to mention the scores of items that are certified fair trade, locally made, and/or environmentally friendly. One of Kravitz’s personal favorites is the cheeky Eco-Bonk—a child-size inflatable punching bag designed by a Brooklyn-based team and made entirely of biodegradable material.
The affinity that Ebner and Kravitz have for each and every one of the items in their store is contagious. It’s almost as if you can sense the thought process behind every piece, while simultaneously imagining the children who will spend hours playing with the plush animals and engaging in story making. According to Kravitz, one of the most rewarding parts of serving as toy purveyors for the vibrant community are the moments of genuine enthusiasm from customers in reaction to the carefully selected items. “When the customers are receptive, it’s a very thrilling feeling,” he explains. “We take it personally.”
With an energizing spring season upon us, the duo’s big goal for 2013 is an e-commerce site. “We’re giving ourselves [until December]… It’s getting done this year,” Kravitz says with a laugh.
Mia Weber is an independent lifestyle journalist, blogger, and social media consultant. She can be reached at sopresh.blog@gmail.com and found on Twitter at @MeezyWeb.
