Monticello Main Street, Inc. is a nonprofit program of The National Trust for Historic Preservation, dedicated to the revitalization of our historic downtown. Monticello is accredited both as an Illinois and National Main Street community.

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Bee Active Toys

“I love to play” is the first thing that Brad Curry will tell you if you ask him why he decided to open a toy store. A walk through his store, Bee Active Toys, will quickly confirm that statement. This is not a store designed just for sales – it’s a store designed to encourage interaction between the child and the product. And, make no mistake, this applies to a “child” of any age. Here the toys are out on display and the shoppers are invited to try them out.

Brad grew up in Monticello and remembers the fun of investigating the toy department in the basement of Kaiser’s Store. There a child’s imagination could soar! Brad saved, then collected, his favorites throughout his life and many of these favorites are now on display at Bee Active Toys. You can see vintage toys from the ‘60s and ‘70s from his own collection, and it will take you back to a simpler time. This love of toys and a desire to be a part of conserving, through use, the historic buildings in downtown Monticello are what brought the pleasures of a store that is unique to central Illinois to our town.

Bee Active Toys offers much more than a place to buy. Brad will host themed birthday or special occasion parties in the store. Your child’s favorites become the theme of the party and are integrated into the event. Choices range from stuffing teddy bears to Pokemon tournaments. Call the store for pricing. There are “game days” and “activity nights” offered with fun for all. And, for customers young and old, Brad will help to organize “collector’s clubs”. Having been involved in collecting both on-line and through collector shows for years, Brad is in a unique position to support this interest in others.

Bee Active Toys specializes in items that offer more “play value” such as science toys, fantasy toys, learning puzzles, and dinosaurs. Since children learn through play Brad has designed the store to be interactive. The staff is well trained and very knowledgeable about their products. They can help with age-appropriate choices and with deciding what would be best for children with special needs. And, best of all, they say “let them play” when the small customers walk in the door.

Since it opened in August 2007 Bee Active Toys has striven to provide quality toys that activate a child’s mind and body through interactive play for both parent and child. The store maintains the highest standards of professionalism, knowing that the toys brought into the store will have a lifelong impact on the children that play with them.

You can stop in at Bee Active Toys at 204 W. Washington Street in Monticello on any Monday through Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Shop on-line at www.beeactivetoys.com or call 217-762-4FUN for more information.

Make a visit to Bee Active Toys soon, and you’ll see what all the talk is about. It is a rare pleasure indeed.