Main Street Toys Shooting for a Mix of Unique and Nostalgic, Owner Says

Victoria Halsell-Brewton jokes that it's not likely her kids will be visiting her new store very often -- not if she wants to keep her merchandise for the customers.

After all, what kid wouldn't be tempted to break into the Silly Putty, open up the Do-A-Dot Art paints or test one of the road trip games. And when the candy gets put out, well, you can't have the children eating up the profits.

Halsell-Brewton and her husband, Preston Brewton, are the proprieters of Main Street Toys & Candy, which they hope to open in early- to mid-May. It's located at 24036 W. Lockport St. in downtown .

The goal is to fill a niche that the big box stores can't -- a perfect mix of nostalgic, educational and specialty toys that makes it easy for moms to shop, kids to explore and families to enjoy together, she said. She'll even make it easy for present-buying by offering gift-wrapping services.

As for the sweets, that will be a mix as well -- old-fashioned penny candy, candy bars that harken back to the past, licorice strips -- and dark chocolate, which adults have been requesting, she said.

"We're very family-oriented," said Halsell-Brewton, who moved to Plainfield from Bolingbrook two years ago. "You won't see a lot of this stuff in Walmart or Target."

She and her husband have experience running home businesses -- Preston Brewton does computer and IT consulting work -- but this will be their first "bricks-and-mortar store," she said.

The business is filling the storefront left vacant when had a falling out with the building owners over structural and insurance . The stationery store moved down the block, the physical building problems have been repaired, and Halsell-Brewer has made sure she and her landlords are on the same page should history repeat itself, she said.

However, the store has taken quite a bit of physical work to get it in shape, including ceiling work, new paint and pegboard wall panels to display merchandise, Halsell-Brewton said.

With that work done, they're now awaiting deliveries and putting out merchandise. All of the inspections -- except for health -- have been completed, she said.

"I really like it here (in downtown Plainfield)," Halsell-Brewton said. "I think this is going to be a good spot for us."