Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Wood.
Hi Samantha, I’m so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story? How did you get to where you are today?
WHO WE ARE: The Bee’s Knees Toys & Books is an independent toy and bookstore focusing on products for children ages 0 – 16. Two sisters in Central, South Carolina, started it in 2020. It began as an online website during the COVID era. Now, we are a 1,100-square-foot brick-and-mortar store located parallel to Main Street in the downtown shopping area of Central, South Carolina.
Our mission is to foster a love of reading, spark curiosity and imagination, encourage independent thinking, and promote healthy, active lifestyles for children of all ages in our community in Upstate South Carolina. Our vision is to create a beloved, independent bookstore and community hub. Books and toys can empower us with knowledge and be transformative. They teach us about our world, far-away places (both real and imagined), empathy, and what it means to be human.
At The Bee’s Knees, we carry everything from board books to YA novels and have a curated selection of classics and contemporary books. We’ve spent hours reading and researching the books on our shelves to ensure we have the best in children’s literature. Play is the way kids learn. We also carry toys that foster educational experiences. Our toys range from Montessori puzzles and educational materials to art supplies and games for the entire family. We stock high-quality, sustainable, eco-friendly toys (no video screens or batteries) made in the US and Europe.
HOW WE ARE DIFFERENT
• Upstate South Carolina’s Only Children’s Bookstore
• Independent Bookstore with Curated Collection
• Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Toys
• Local Artists & Small Batch Makers
• Community Focused and Supported
• Member of ABA, SIBA, and ASTRA
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
We bought our 1950s building during the COVID-19 pandemic and gutted the structure for a complete renovation. It took over 2 years from start to finish due to COVID delays in scheduling workers and obtaining materials. The building was originally built as a SC DHEC office for community polio vaccines in 1950. We saved it from demolition in 2022 and are so excited that we saved the mid-century modern structure. Getting funding was also a struggle, and we finally found a source with the South Carolina Community Loan Fund, which provides funds for rural community revitalization.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about The Bee’s Knees Toys & Books?
These are the 5 Key elements of our business philosophy:
- Mompreneurs: The Bee’s Knees Toys and Books is proudly owned by two moms who are constantly inspired and exhausted by their kids. Our passion is well-made toys and exquisite life-changing books.
- Shop Local: We support our community. Shopping locally provides jobs for neighbors and opportunities to build relationships with businesses and fuels the economic development engine as dollars stay in the community.
- Education-minded: We offer toys inspired by the philosophies of educational luminaires Rudolf Steiner, Maria Montessori, Loris Malaguzzi, and Charlotte Mason.
- Eco-friendly: We partner with U.S. small-batch manufacturers who produce toys and books that are ethically made, using sustainable materials with a minimum amount of damage to the environment. We also work with select European vendors who use planet-friendly materials and manufacturing practices, including recycled plastics, organic fabrics, and natural dyes. Non-toxic paints. renewable materials
- Giving Back: It is our goal to give back locally and nationally. We support several local organizations.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Persistence. I dreamed of opening a children’s bookstore for more than 30 years. After my early retirement from corporate America, I convinced my sister to go on this journey with me. It’s all a big risk.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thebeeskneestoysandbooks.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thebeesknees_toysandbooks
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thebeeskneestoysandbooks
Image Credits
All photos taken by Samantha Wood of The Bee’s Knees Toys & Books
