Revelry Toys is a locally owned toy store in the Historic Woodstock Square area. I want to bring ridiculous amounts of fun and joy to this gem of a town and put unique and engaging toys in the hands of anyone who wants to play, create, explore, and imagine. 

Revelry Toys was founded in January of 2024 by me, Heather. It started with the idea that toy stores should be hands on, community centered, and just absolutely ridiculous amounts of fun for kids and adults alike. I really do believe that small things can bring big, meaningful joy to people.

In early 2024, I found an opportunity to get started with my own shop by partnering with Sweet Caryline’s Candy Shop in Cary, but that ended with the closure of Sweet Caryline's in April. I felt like I had only just begun, and I had to find a new home quickly. Luckily, after searching for a few months, I found this great space on Throop Street, and opening day was August 8th, 2024.

I hope you walk into Revelry Toys and play with cool stuff you have never seen before, and reacquaint yourself with some of the classics we all grew up with. Hang out and blow bubbles on the sidewalk. Do some chalk art. Build with some magnetic tiles. Delve into the huge sticker selection. It's all hands on.

With Woodstock being such a great, family friendly walking town, I want Revelry Toys to be a shop you can just walk in and wander around in for a little bit, try out some toys (we have a ton of demos), chat with your friends, let the kids explore, hang out, and maybe pick up a cool toy on the way back from one of the many fantastic events on the square.

Revelry Toys is a place for kids and all their curiosity and energy. You'll find low, kid-height tables and counter tops, step stools, a play area, lots of demos, a really fun treasure collection program, Birthday boxes, and more.

Price points are really important to me. We have a huge range of quality and fun toys under $5 and $10 for all ages.

Above all, a toy store is a place to make memories and happiness, so I want you all to come in and have fun and embrace your inner kid who REALLY wants to talk about your favorite dinosaur (ask me mine!). If you want me to wrap a gift just so you can go home and unwrap it yourself as a little treat, I would be delighted! If you want to come in and bang away on the Xylophone, go for it!

Seeing that initial moment of joy when someone finds a toy that is meaningful to them is a great feeling. Any time I can brighten someone’s day with some goofy toy or a super soft stuffed animal is the best time of my day. I’ve been a hardworking Christmas elf for over 20 years now. Toys are kinda my jam.

Way back in 1998, my first job was in the toy department at Walmart, which I loved. I spent over 15 years in retail throughout high school, college, and graduate school, managing many departments over the years, but I always found my way back to the fun and chaos of the toy department. I also did some brief stints at Menard's and Half Price Books. After that, I was fortunate enough to spend 4 years in the cozy world of neighborhood toy stores where I had the opportunity to make a bigger difference in the company and in the community. I learned a lot, and I attended some really fun trade shows.

I’m a big believer in education, recreation, and the arts. I have an associate’s in photography, a bachelor’s in political science from UIC, and a master’s in creative writing in fiction from SIU Carbondale, where I taught English composition and creative writing courses. At the Carbondale Library, I ran a creative writing group for teens during my time in grad school. From 2020 to 2023, I was a writer for a video game studio where I wrote lore and quests for players to discover. Fun comes in all formats!

I’m originally from Georgia, and I’ve been in Illinois for about 18 years. I’ve lived in Cary for 9 years with my wonderful husband, Brian, and our 2 dogs, King Arthur and Sir Lancealittle (because he’s too small to be Lancelot!), who bring immeasurable light and joy to my life.   

Stop by and chat; I want to hear from you about toys, life, the universe, and everything!