Hall Of Fame
2020
Kari and Ed Dodd
Kari and Ed Dodd purchased Classic Toys in January of 1998 from the original owners Jo Michalski and Jana Hayenga (sisters) who opened the store in January of 1985. Previously Ed was operating three Texaco gas stations and Kari was working at a bookstore next door to Classic Toys, also owned by Jo and Jana. When a local commercial real-estate agent came into the gas station who told Ed Classic Toys was for sale, Kari and Ed believed it to be the right investment. They both agreed it would be a 5-year trial basis. After the first five went well, the next five were the same and so on.
Kari handles all the toy buying while Ed manages the logistics, warehouse and payroll. Ed also spends December on the sales floor relieving the employees from the holiday pressure. They both have a home office and have enjoyed the work from home lifestyle to raise their son Jack.
They continue to enjoy home offices and are proud of the fact they typically employ 10-12 staff members, with having only had a grand total of 86 employees in 21 years. Their staff is a great group that understands work is a tool, treat it with respect and it will work for you forever. Over the years Classic Toys has received many “Best Toy Store” awards, but the greatest reward for Kari and Ed is the growing number of parents returning to share their story of how they grew up coming to the store and are thrilled to be back with their children. The business is living and breathing and the people don’t care so much about who owns it but rather that it is exactly how they remember it and its being taken care of.
Date of Toy Retirement: Still 100% Active, 7 days a week
Melissa Moore
Melissa Moore started in the toy industry working for the Toy Attic with owner Sharon Hill as a freshman in high school. Shortly after she began her career in toys, Hill sold the Toy Attic to Mike and Jeanne Nissen. She continued to work at the store for seven years, sometimes over summer break while attending college. She also worked at another toy store in Chico where she attended university.
After graduating, Melissa worked for a short time as a sales representative for the Toy Sellers Group, realizing a life on the road was not for her. Sharon Hill had opened another Toy Attic after she sold her first one to the Nissen’s and in 1998 Moore purchased that Toy Attic located in Malibu and changed the name to Toy Crazy. In 2005 Moore opened her second store in Santa Monica/Brentwood. In 2010 she opened her 3rd location in Montecito and in 2014 she ventured north into Marin County and opened her 4th location.
Toy Crazy has been previously honored with ToyFest’s Retailer of the Month in 2018 as well as WTHRA’s Retailer of the Year award in 2011.
Date of Toy Retirement: Still Active
Donna Songer
Donna Songer was hired by Ernie DiBenedetto to join Toy Sellers in 1986. Her territory was Northern CA, just south of San Francisco to Big Sur. In 1997 she went to work with Linn Porep Associates for a couple of years before starting Wildthings Sales & Marketing with Harry Clayton.
Date of Toy Retirement: Still Active