Creative Learning on Main West has changed hands.
As of July 31, Shawn Splint will be taking over as the owner of Creative Learning in North Bay.
Previous owners Des and Gale Anthony have decided to retire after 30 years of running the store.
"I am very much looking forward to this new chapter in my life," writes Splint on Facebook. "I want to thank Des Anthony and Gale Anthony so much for allowing me to continue on with Creative Learning's legacy and will do everything I can to make sure that the store remains one of the pillars of the North Bay community."
Creative Learning is a unique toy store that offers a wide selection of award-winning toys, games, children’s books and arts and crafts; each one hand-selected by the staff.
"I believe it is one of the pillars of the North Bay community and I would hate to see its lights be turned off," Splint told BayToday. "So when I got the opportunity and saw it was for sale I jumped at the chance to keep up Des and Gale's legacy."
Splint's mother was born and raised in North Bay but his dad was in the military so the family moved around, but Splint returned to North Bay to go to university. He's a registered nurse by trade.
"I have a Lego collection in my basement I've been trying to sell over the years so I emailed Des and Gale about a month ago to see if I could sublet part of their space, but I never heard back."
Thinking the Anthonys weren't interested he started looking around the internet for commercial space to see if anything met his needs. It was then he noticed the building was for sale.
"Fortuitously the stars aligned and I thought it was a great business and a great building and I love everything they have done with the store over the years so I put in an offer and thankfully I was given the opportunity to take over the business."
In January 2002, it was voted Toy Retailer of the Year by Toys & Games Magazine. It was also named Small Business of the Year in December 1999 by the North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce.
"I think it's a fantastic store," Splint exclaimed.
