PLATO’S TOY BUYER JOINS RETAIL GAME
TWO toy sellers will be stepping down from Plato’s gift shop in Salamanca Square and passing on the baton to one of their most loyal customers.
Verena Oeltjen and Kellie Rathbone have been working in the toy shop since they were 17, before going on to jointly buy the business in
2008. Now the two of them plan to take a break from the hectic pace of retail work before planning the next stages of their lives.
Ms Rathbone said she was looking forward to having a proper Christmas for the first time in decades, but would miss the smiles on their customers’ faces.
“We’ve built up amazing
relationships with our customers. They’re all wonderful,” Ms Oeltjen said.
“It’s been really fun. We’ve enjoyed what we sell, who we sell to, and the beautiful location,” she said.
On Friday the shop will be taken up by Kirsten Lynch, who has been a loyal customer for the past seven years.
She said her two children were big fans of the charming toy shop, but not as much as their mum.
“It’s been our go-to place for gifts, not just for kids, but for adults and babies as well,” she said.
“We were all very excited when we saw it coming up for sale. I get to go and play in a toy shop all day long. “